At the beginning of March this year, Google confirmed that a pretty noteworthy addition was coming to the Google Play Store for apps: age-based ratings.
Ratings for ages, whether it’s “T for Teen” or “AO for Adults Only,” and any of their variants across the regions of the world, have been in place for quite some time for other forms of entertainment, including movies, video games and more. Now, for apps within the Google Play Store, the same age-based ratings are now live, giving individuals, and especially parents, more of an idea where an app stands.
The ratings will vary from region to region, but in the United States Android users should expect to see ratings that breakdown as such:
- E: This is content that’s generally suitable for everyone, but could contain “infrequent use of mild language; and/or minimal cartoon, fantasy violence.”
- E10: This is content suitable for everyone, age 10 and up.
- T: This is content that’s suitable for individuals aged 13 and up, and may include some use of strong language, mild blood, gambling, and/or crude humor.
- M: This is the Mature rating, which means it’s suitable for individuals aged 17 and above. This content can include violence, blood, strong language, and sexual content.
- AO: This is content rated Adults Only, and contains graphic violence, sexual content, nudity, and gambling with real money.
The ratings should be rolling out now, so their icons should be visible just under the title of the app proper.
