Do you have an app you would love to see advertised on the Google Play store?  If so, you are in luck because Google AdWords has just launched Search Ads on the Google Play store.

Google began testing the new ads on Google Play in February as part of a pilot program, but have now made the news ads available to all AdWords advertisers who are using Search App Install ad campaigns through AdWords.

The ads are triggered off keyword searches, so if you are looking for a game related app, game ads will appear to drive app installs – essentially sponsored apps in Google Play.

The reach for app developers through ads in Google Play is quite huge.  Google says that Google Play reaches more than 1 billion people on Android devices in over 190 countries in the world.

They have also added improved conversion tracking for Android devices, making it easier to track conversions.  They are also introducing the Android first app opens, a new tracking solution.

… we’re introducing Android first app opens , a new conversion tracking solution that measures when a user first opens an app after clicking on an ad and completing an Android app install. In addition to providing app conversion tracking across Search, Display and YouTube, this new solution also allows developers to better align the conversion volume they see in AdWords with the data they see in a third-party measurement solution. First app opens are the standard conversion type for third-party solutions, so we’re working with key partners like Tune, AppsFlyer, Kochava, Adjust and Apsalar to ensure data consistency and give developers the freedom to use
reporting and optimization features across AdWords and third-party solutions of their choice.

Google is also making changes to the Universal App Campaigns so it is easier for advertisers to advertise and promote their apps not only on Google Play, but also across all Google properties, including Search, YouTube, AdMob in app network and the Google Display Network.

The new Google Play app install ads are available starting today for advertisers and developers currently running Search App Install campaigns through AdWords.