Key Highlights
- The Play Report videos will showcase gaming and lifestyle experts recommending trending apps, hidden gems and more from the Play Store.
- For select users in the U.S., the videos will surface as a carousel on the Play Store’s home page under a new ‘For You’ section.
- Clicking on a video will open it in full-screen YouTube Shorts format right within the Play Store.
- The short-video format aims to aid app discovery by offering quick entertaining opinions and reviews from influencers.
Google is embracing the short video trend by introducing ‘The Play Report’ – a pilot series of bite-sized videos on the Play Store to help users discover new apps. These Shorts-style videos will highlight top apps, rising stars and hidden gems as recommended by creators, experts and even Google employees.
It includes a bunch of videos “hosted by gaming and lifestyle experts sharing apps and games they love on Google Play, ” Google notes in an accompanying blog post.
The Play Store Makeover
The Play Report will surface as a carousel in the ‘For You’ recommendations section of the Play Store. Tapping on a video will open it in full-screen YouTube Shorts mode. Google plans to roll out the video series gradually to select Play Store users in the U.S. over the coming weeks. It augments existing curated content like ‘Monthly Picks’ and ‘New on Play’.
Even if you don’t see the videos on Play Store yet, you can watch them on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The social-friendly format expands the reach of app recommendations.
Short Videos, Big Opportunity
Over 2 billion monthly active Google users already watch Shorts, making it a prime channel for engagement. App developers can gain exposure among new audiences outside the Play Store’s existing network.
For Google, adding Shorts is both a response to current video consumption patterns and a strategic lever to boost Play Store downloads. Short-form video also opens up participation to a broader creator base beyond just app developers. Micro-influencers on multiple platforms can be tapped for authentic app recommendations.
The TikTok-fication of Google Play
This move mirrors how TikTok has become a launchpad for app discovery through creator videos. Users lean on influencer recommendations before downloading apps. Embedding Shorts directly into the Play Store experience gives Google a homefield advantage. The video series can draw users seeking app advice to the Play Store, while still harnessing the viral nature of short video.
While still in early testing, The Play Report underscores how Shorts is emerging as an unlikely discovery tool across Google’s products. Short video’s grip over user attention makes it prime real estate – even for an app store.
