Google is now adding a new feature that will allow users to install apps straight from search results. The app-install buttons will appear alongside links to normal websites and tapping on these buttons will take them to the Google Play store where they can install your app, then continue straight on to the right content within it.
This new feature is an extension of the App Indexing feature that Google launched for app developers back in 2013. This feature allowed developers to list content from their apps on Google’s search engine. Previously, Google Search only showed the option to open results into apps that you already had installed on your device, but now they’re are opening that up to apps you haven’t installed. The App Indexing project now features more than 30 billion links that go to places specifically within apps.
“With the addition of these install links, we are starting to use App Indexing as a ranking signal for all users on Android, regardless of whether they have your app installed or not. We hope that Search will now help you acquire new users, as well as re-engage your existing ones. ”
posted Google in a blog.
Google has also said that App Indexing will be used to help rank search results on Android, regardless of whether the app is installed. Links will be displayed in search itself which will take them directly to the Play Store.