7 Ekim 2026 Çarşamba

How to Feature Your Game on Google Play: Promotional Content (LiveOps) Guide and Arar Games Case Study




How to Feature Your Game on Google Play: Promotional Content (LiveOps) Guide and Arar Games Case Study

As a mobile game developer, the biggest nightmare you face when launching a title is all too familiar: your game gets buried under thousands of releases, and organic traffic drops to zero.

At Arar Games, we experienced this exact journey firsthand with our retro pixel tank action game, Blocked: Pixel Panzer. At one point, our game was picked up by Google Play's recommendation algorithm (Google Play Explore), receiving over 10,000 organic downloads per day and reaching more than 35,000 players in a single algorithmic surge. After crossing the 52,000 milestone through our own marketing efforts, the algorithm naturally cooled down, entering a plateau phase.

So how do you send an official, powerful signal back to the Google algorithm: "Hey, we are still here! We just rolled out a massive update packed with exciting content for our players"?

The answer: Google Play Promotional Content (formerly known as LiveOps).

In this post, we share our studio's experience creating a Promotional Content event from scratch, the technical pitfalls to watch out for, and the exact steps to get featured on Google Play with a high-impact promotional banner.

1. What Is Promotional Content and Why Is It Vital?

Promotional Content is an official Google Play feature that allows you to showcase major updates, new boss fights, tournaments, or seasonal events on Google Play Store's most prestigious editorial placements using prominent 16:9 visual banners and rich cards.

4 Major Advantages for Your Game:

  1. Featuring on Google Play Homepage and the "Events" Tab:
    Even if users aren't searching for your game by name, your title appears with a massive banner while they browse the Google Play homepage or the "Games -> Events" tab (direct Explore traffic!).
  2. 15% to 30% Boost in Store Conversion Rate (CVR):
    When visitors land on your store listing, instead of standard small screenshots, they are greeted at the very top by your cinematic 16:9 banner and promo video. This directly encourages immediate installs.
  3. Re-engaging Lapsed Players:
    Users who downloaded the game previously but uninstalled it or haven't opened it in a while receive notifications and store recommendation cards stating: "Blocked Pixel Panzer has a major update!"
  4. Getting on the Radar of Google's Editorial Team:
    Games running Promotional Content events are reviewed by local Google editorial teams. High-quality submissions stand a strong chance of being selected for "Editor's Choice" or "Game of the Day" collections.

2. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Promotional Content Event

Let's dive into the Google Play Console and walk through the entire setup process together step by step.

Step 1: Setup

Log in to the Google Play Console. From the left sidebar, navigate to Grow -> Promotional content and click the blue "Create event" button in the top right corner.

Step 1: Setup

  • Since this is our first time uploading new creative assets, select "Create a new event" and click Next in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Event Details & The 24-Hour Rule

On this screen, configure the event type, target countries, and scheduled dates.

Step 2: Event Details

  1. Event Name: This is an internal name visible only to you in the console (e.g., Oct2026_Major_Boss_And_PC_Expansion).
  2. Event Type: Under the Major update category:
    • Features & announcements: Best choice if you are introducing major features such as PC support (Google Play Games on PC), leaderboards, portrait mode, or control overhauls.
    • New content: Ideal if you are adding new boss encounters, levels, or skin packs.

Event Type Selection

  1. Countries / Regions: Click + Country / region and select all 177 countries where your game is distributed.
  2. Duration: Google Play allows promotional cards to run for up to 28 days. For maximum algorithmic impact, we recommend setting the duration between 14 and 28 days.

⚠️ Critical Error Warning (The 24-Hour Rule):
If you do not set the start date at least 24 hours into the future, Google will throw the error: "Enter a date more than 24 hours in the future". Google's review team requires a minimum 24-hour review window before the event can go live. Selecting a start date 1 to 2 days ahead resolves this issue.

24-Hour Rule Error

Step 3: Tagline, Description, and Media Assets (Add Content)

During this step, supply the copy and graphical assets that players will see on the store.

Step 3: Text Inputs

  • Tagline (Short Punchy Title - Max 80 Characters):
    Example: Big Tank Update: New Bosses, Weather & PC Support!
    (Note: Do NOT use ALL CAPS except for recognized brand names).
  • Description (Max 500 Characters):

    ⚠️ Warning: If you paste the same text from your Tagline into the Description, Google will display the warning "Don't duplicate the tagline". Provide concise, engaging English copy that communicates the update clearly to a worldwide audience:

Big update is here! 

Drive your tank with smoother controls. Shoot colorful bullets with the new Color Wheel! Fight enemies in dynamic rain and snow weather. Defeat dangerous bosses every 10 levels!

Check your world rank on the global leaderboard. Now you can also play on PC with Google Play Games! 

Are you ready to battle?

Media Assets (Images & Video):

Media Assets

  • Primary Image (Main Banner - Mandatory):
    • Must be exactly 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (16:9 ratio).
    • Keep it clean: avoid tiny cluttered text, excessive logos, or intrusive badges; showcase the game's dynamic action atmosphere.
  • Video (YouTube URL):
    • Add the YouTube URL of your game's high-definition (1080p) trailer or update preview.
    • Requirements: The video must be set to "Public" or "Unlisted", monetization/ads must be disabled, and it must have no age restrictions.

Step 4: Review, AI Declaration, and Submission

Once all details are filled out, proceed to the final review screen.

Step 4: Review and Confirm

  1. AI asset declaration: If your creatives do not require AI disclosure, select "Don't label assets".
  2. Review all event details and click Submit in the bottom right corner.

Congratulations! Your event is now scheduled and queued up to go live on the storefront on your chosen launch date:

Scheduled Event Dashboard

3. The Result: How Does It Look on the Storefront?

After completing the process, here is how the live promotional card appears right at the top of your store listing and in Google Play Store discovery feeds:

Live Preview Card

With vivid colors, high-impact 1920x1080 artwork capturing retro tank action, and a concise headline, this banner substantially lifts click-through rates (CTR) and installs.

4. Arar Games Titles and Our Community

If you'd like to support our studio, try out our games, or join our community, check out the links below:

🎮 Our Games:

📢 Follow Us on Social Media:

Stay updated with our devlogs, behind-the-scenes footage, and major releases:

See you in the next devlog — happy coding and high installs!




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