Google announced Monday a series of changes to its widgets system on Android that will make it easier for app developers to reach their users. Widgets, which offer at-a-glance views of an app’s most important information — like the day’s weather or upcoming meetings on your calendar — are a key aspect of Android home screen customization.
However, Google admits developers needed a better way to have their widgets discovered.
Widgets aren’t just decorative ways to make a home screen more visually interesting. A well built widget can increase a user’s engagement with an app and help keep it top of mind as the widget continually shares updates on their home screen.
To address developers’ complaints over widget discovery, the company is preparing to roll out new features to Android phones, tablets, and foldable, as well as on Google Play.
On the Play Store, Google is adding a new visual badge that will display on an app’s detail page to let users know the app offers a widget. This feature could help to sell an app to a new user who’s looking for an app with specific functionality and may opt to download an app with a widget over one without.
Also on Google Play, users will now be able to directly search for apps offering widgets thanks to a dedicated search filter, driving more targeted downloads.
Google is rolling out a curated Editorial Page to highlight great widgets. The page will educate users on the value of widgets and showcase apps that have well-designed widgets included with their app download. The page will also offer developers who take the time to build widgets the ability to access a wider audience, and potentially boost their app installs.
