Google Play users ‘download and dash’ — but new AI-powered ‘Collections' aims to change that

Google noticed that users ditch the Play Store after getting their apps, so it added a new AI-powered ‘Collections’ feature.

The search engine giant noticed that Google Play users have been "downloading and dashing." In other words, once users get their desired apps, they don't stick around — and Google wants to change that.

On Wednesday, Google announced the new Collections experience for Google Play, which is designed to help users see the Android store as more than just a destination for installing new apps.

What is Collections on Google Play?

Google acknowledges that having numerous apps on your Android device can create a fragmented experience. In other words, you probably find yourself frequently darting from one app to another just to gather the information you need.

The new Collections experience highlights contents from your favorite apps on the Google Play home screen, delivering an all-in-one hub for users who who want a seamless way to access and manage information from apps without the hassle of switching between multiple platforms.

On the new Collections page, you'll find categories such as Shop, Watch, and Listen. These sections will allow you to easily pick up where you left off. For example, under Watch, you can continue diving into House of Dragons on Max, but thanks to Shop, you can scroll through some tech products you were eyeing on Walmart, like the best noise cancelling headphones.

To put it succinctly, Google wants you to gravitate toward Collections as your one-stop shop for information on your favorite or frequently visited apps.

As a cherry on top, you can tap and hold the Google Play app icon, which will allow you to download the Collections widget to your home screen. This will allow you to jump right into a specific collection of your choice.

Personalize your Collections

If you have a passion or interest that doesn't fit into Google's preexisting categories like Shop and Watch, you can create your own.

Google says that it's "exploring" a customizable version of Collections based on user-specified topics. For example, if you're running a marathon, with the power of AI, you can type in the word "marathon," which will prompt Collections to intelligently populate the installed apps that will benefit you (e.g., MyFitnessPal and Strava).

Your customized collection will also recommend new apps related to your personalized topic.

Google says that if you don't want your Play experience to be shaped by your data, you can navigate to "Personalization in Play" in the main menu to manage your preferences.

The new Collections experience is now available on Google Play.