this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
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As someone who's seeing this Play Store search result page for the first time, I also find it massively confusing.
Frankly, it looks like just the description page of RealVNC with an info box for "Zoho Assist" at the top (which might be the team that develops RealVNC?), and for some reason there's also two install-buttons.
You don't have a chance to realize that it's a list of search results, because there's practically no repeating UI elements.
Aside from the sponsored app at the top (which I also don't find clearly labeled; that "Sponsored" could just be a generic heading above everything), I don't even assume malicious intent from Google here.
Presumably, they made the RealVNC entry big, because they don't want you falling for scam apps. But it is absolutely not helpful in this case.
Now squint just a bit. That's how everyone without perfect vision sees it, and that's a huge proportion of people.
Also, this is how other results appear:
No Install buttons.
E: Not sure why this image doesn't show but in any case, app results in lists don't have Install buttons. Hm apparently it only doesn't show on mobile.
The screenshot you are showing is scrolled down the page past "More results". What you are showing is after all of the actual search results (which for me is just the app and no ad).
Removing the Install button from the ad would eliminate this issue in most cases. There, I fixed stupid. I've done UX btw, some of it on Android.
I aimed to make it more difficult to install the advertised app by accident, which was the original problem. You seem to agree that my design change would achieve that. 😂
Everyone here knows everything you said. I'm merely providing a current example of where things are today and I'm making a moral judgement that this design has become too counterproductive for the user. Not sure if you stand on the other side of this and if you do, that's fine. You may have your reasons to support Alphabet's corporate interest. I don't in this case. Therefore I feel it's justified to make things less productive for Alphabet. You suggested nothing can be done other than removing the ad altogether. I suggested a way to solve the issue I highlighted without removing the ad.
Assume it's not disingenuous. Instead picture observing a user confusing the two and draw a conclusion other than they're an idiot. But you already said you understand this design makes users more likely to click on the ad. Do I have to explain the common elements of the layouts in a wireframe? Do I have to go into the differences in noticeability between more and less prominent design language elements in order to explain in what way they're identical? Come on, cut some slack and assume better.