On Monday, Google announced a series of changes to its widget system on Android, making it easier for app developers to reach users. Widgets that provide a glass-up view of the app's most important information, such as the weather for the day and upcoming meetings on the calendar, are an important aspect of customizing your Android home screen.
However, Google admits that there was a need for a better way for developers to discover widgets.
Widgets are not just decorative ways to make your home screen more visually interesting. A well-built widget helps to increase user engagement with apps and keep it on top as the widgets continue to share the latest updates on the home screen.
To address developer complaints about widget discovery, the company is preparing to roll out new features on Android phones, tablets, folding and Google Play.
In the Play Store, Google adds a new Visual Badge that appears on the app's details page, allowing users to let you know that the app is offering widgets. This feature will help you sell your app to new users looking for an app with a specific feature, and you may choose to download the widget with one or more widgets.
Google Play also allows users to directly search for apps that offer widgets thanks to a dedicated search filter, driving more targeted downloads.
Google has developed curated edit pages to highlight great widgets. This page educates users about the value of widgets and showcase apps with well-designed widgets included in app downloads. This page also has the potential to make developers who spend time building widgets more access to more viewers and increase app installation.