Google looks to be working on a Play Store loyalty program

Unless you’re trying to install Fortnite, the Play Store is where most Android users immediately go when they want to install a new app. While this is the only official way Google offers to download apps, there are other places to buy music, movies, and more. Thanks to a recent teardown of the Play Store app by 9to5Google, it looks like Google might soon open a reward system to help entice customers to purchase everything through the Play Store.

Do keep in mind that all of this information is speculative as its an interpretation of code pulled from teardowns of versions 11.5 and 11.6 of the Play Store APK. Google has yet to confirm the existence of any loyalty program within the Play Store.

First, there are a good number of mentions of a loyalty program called Play Points. This opt-in reward system hints that it will give users enrolled in the program points for making purchases within the Play Store. 9to5Google also found the icon below which utilizes the Play Store’s color scheme and believes Google will use it to represent the service.

Another string of code states, “Earn 1 point per ¥100 on everything you buy.” This dialog shows Google rewarding its users with points for spending real money in the Play Store. But what are people supposed to do with those points? Well, over time, they will add up and supposedly allow customers to increase in rank. Images of the various levels pulled from the Play Store APKs can be seen below.

Additionally, it looks like Google will allow users to use the points towards in-app purchases within games that support Play Points or even cash them in for credit to be used in the Play Store.

9to5Google also found evidence of several other changes that might be coming to the Play Store app. The first of which is a voting system. The strings of code appear to include dialog asking the user to vote for their favorite apps within various groups. While unclear, this might be a way for the Play Store to rank popular apps based on user feedback.

The second change is a redesigned account page which will offer the various options within the menu in a new tab system instead of a list. Additionally, a new rewards section looks to have been added alongside this redesign. There is currently a rewards option in the Play Store’s primary menu which allows users to redeem promo codes and gift certificates, so it’s unclear if Google is planning to move this item deeper into the account menu or if this will be an entirely new section.

What do you think about a Google Play Store loyalty system? Would you be more interested in purchasing games, music, movies, and more from Google if you were rewarded for doing so? Let us know in the comment section below.