Promo Codes Through Play Store (Google)

Promo codes allow marketing teams to distribute individual codes to selected users, allowing free access to one edition. There is a maximum of 500 codes available per app per quarter. 

Step 1 - Generating the code

• Sign into Google Developer Portal and select the app which you would like to generate for 
• On the right hand tool bar, select 'User Acquisition' and a drop down will appear displaying 'Promotions'

• Select 'Add New Promotion' and a pop up box with terms and conditions will appear, select 'Accept' 
• You will see a form as the one below

• Name is the name you will give the promotion 
• The start date must be in the future, if you want the promotion to start the day of creation, then you will need to set the time (same box next to the date) 
• Select in app product - you will need to know the product ID of the in app product for this part and also make sure the check box is ticked. Hit 'Get' 
• Status refers to whether the promotion is live or not 
• Number of promo codes, remember max 500 per app per quarter. 
• Hit 'Create' 
• Not much changes, but if you look next to the amount of codes you entered you will see a 'download' button 

• Select 'Download' and a text file will begin to download. 

Step 2 - Distributing the code 

• Codes can be distributed by whatever means the marketing team would like 
• Points to remember: 
  • Unique individual codes, once they have been redeemed they can no longer be used 
  • Maximum 500 per app per quarter 

Step 3 - Redeeming the code (for users) 

• Users must redeem their code on the device they would like the edition to be downloaded on 
• The article below outlines a few different ways for users to redeem the code, from testing internally we have found only one way works. 
• BEFORE the user download the app they need to go into the app store and select the menu option. To then scroll down and find 'Redeem' 

• They will then be asked to enter the code given and click 'Redeem' 

• The PlayStore will then direct the user to download the app which will contain the redeemed edition which will say 'Download' instead of the price of the edition. 

Official Google Documentation: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2016/01/create-promo-codes-for-your-apps-and-in.html