Google Play to start noting and promoting 'family-friendly' games

Google today laid plans to start highlighting "family-friendly" apps on its rapidly-expanding Google Play store.

As the number of mobile games on the market continues to climb, this could prove a useful way for developers of family-friendly Android titles to boost their discoverability on Google's storefront.

Following its decision last month to start having humans age-rate games, Google now aims to make life easier for parents seeking suitable games and apps for their kids, and has laid down some eligibility guidelines for developers seeking to have their Google Play apps admitted into the upcoming "Designed for Families" program.

Those guidelines primarily focus on child-friendly content, advertising and in-app transaction practices; games that abide by them may potentially be featured in upcoming "family-friendly experiences" on Google Play.