How is Google's Unwanted Software Policy affecting you?

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How is Google's Unwanted Software Policy affecting you?

Although Google doesn't come straight out and say it, I believe this is an attempt by Google to stop the practice of embedding secondary offers inside software installs.

I'm referring to the practice of deceptively adding stuff like Installation of the ASK toolbar as part of a software install.

What are your thoughts an Google's unwanted software policy?
http://www.google.com/about/company/unwanted-software-policy.html?hl=en

Comments

  1. Andrea RaimondiMay 15, 2015 at 2:59 AM

    I think it's right on point.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michael RileyMay 15, 2015 at 3:06 AM

    This will also affect anyone with who advertises their trial/demo software on Google. https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6020954?hl=en&rd=1

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lars FosdalMay 15, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    I think it makes sense. I did not want that software. That is not why I ran the installation.  I don't see the connection with the adwords policy, though.

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  4. Michael RileyMay 15, 2015 at 3:30 AM

    Google's Unsupported content: free desktop software
    https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6169380?hl=en

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lars FosdalMay 15, 2015 at 3:41 AM

    I think that clause is for the kind of ads that resembles dialogs, saying "You have a virus. Click here to remove it" - while you in reality download and install some malware/spyware/adware tool.  Not really relevant to trial/demo/free software ads which says "Download and try MyAwesomeSoftware for free".

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  6. Michael RileyMay 15, 2015 at 3:48 AM

    Unfortunately that's not the case. It will affect all free trial software. Here's is a real-world story
    http://blog.traysoft.com/2015/05/google-will-disable-ads-for-your-commercial-software-soon/

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  7. Lars FosdalMay 15, 2015 at 4:04 AM

    This will get rid of all those spam-ridden, repackaged with malware download sites. 
    There seems to be some wrinkles in Google's approach - but I guess it will be sorted out eventually.

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  8. Bill MeyerMay 15, 2015 at 4:41 AM

    I think they are right. I hate packages that are cluttered with such junk, and despise the ones which default to installing the junk.

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  9. Moz LeMay 15, 2015 at 5:04 AM

    The good news is that Chrome and other Google products are exempt from these requirements. 

    I have to agree with the comment that you have to be pleasantly surprised every day that adwords works, rather than expecting it to work. Google is not like that, they mechanically apply policies and tweak them later, so sooner or later they will take you down and you'll stay down. Expect that and prepare for it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kevin McCoyMay 15, 2015 at 8:48 AM

    Michael Riley Funny you should mention the Ask Toolbar.  I just went to update Adobe Flash and guess what?  Ask Toolbar has been replaced with Google Chrome.  What a coincidence! :-)

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  11. Michael RileyMay 17, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    Eli M Thank you for sharing the details of your story about how google turned off your adwords.

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  12. Eli MMay 17, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    Those aren't my stories. We've encountered similar things from Google however (like the no hyperlinking). Using Google Chat support is a good tip though. I'll have to try that next time.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Michael RileyMay 17, 2015 at 7:21 AM

    Eli M thanks for clearing up the act that these were not your stories. :-)
    My concern is that ISV's and Micro-ISV's are going to be affected by this and the more information that's available on how to respond the easier it will be for them.

    ReplyDelete

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