The variety of Google Play moderation rejections has been steadily rising over the previous few years. Necessities for API, information safety, stability, and proper description of performance — all of this has lengthy been extra than simply formalities.
On this article, we’ve compiled probably the most up-to-date suggestions on making ready for publication: what to contemplate earlier than submitting an app for moderation, what errors most frequently trigger rejection, and the way to work successfully with Google tech help if rejection does happen.
Why Getting on Google Play App Retailer Issues
Android is likely one of the hottest cell platforms on the earth. Greater than 3 billion energetic gadgets, and thousands and thousands of potential customers — sounds like all developer’s dream.
Nonetheless, due to its large viewers, Google is particularly attentive to utility safety, information safety, and stability. The slightest violations and the publication is rejected. That’s why it’s essential to grasp prematurely what necessities Google Play imposes on purposes and the way to move moderation the primary time.
Step-by-Step: Learn how to Publish an App on the Google Play Retailer
Even when you’ve got beforehand had the expertise of releasing an iOS app, understand that Google has a distinct algorithm that require particular consideration. Additionally, there could also be features of the app that won’t be apparent whereas growing however will change into essential whereas checking.
Google Play Console: Account and Challenge Preparation
Earlier than importing an utility, you could correctly arrange a developer account and put together primary details about the undertaking. This step appears easy, however it’s typically the place the place potential causes for app rejection throughout moderation are laid down.
Developer account
To publish in Google Play, you could register a Google Play Developer Account. You possibly can create it as a person or as a corporation — if the appliance is developed for enterprise, it’s higher to decide on a company account straight away.
Through the registration course of, Google verifies the identification of the developer and the accuracy of the information supplied. Errors or inaccuracies at this stage might end in account rejection, making it not possible to publish purposes.
Developer Web page
The developer profile should embody:
- The precise identify of the corporate or developer
- A legitimate e-mail handle for communication
- A working web site (if any)
This information is displayed within the retailer and helps Google confirm the legitimacy of the account.
Privateness Coverage
Google requires an app to have a printed privateness coverage, particularly if it collects or processes consumer information (which just about any app does now).
Your coverage ought to:
- Absolutely describe what information is collected and the way it’s used
- Clarify who the information is shared with and the way it’s protected
- Be accessible by way of a steady hyperlink (Google checks it)
The hyperlink is specified within the Google Play Console and should result in a working web page with out 404 errors, redirects, or inaccessibility.
Play Integrity API (advisable)
Though it isn’t but a compulsory requirement, Google is actively selling using the Play Integrity API. It helps defend the app from tampering, hacking, and rogue installations. The mixing of this API is an efficient sign for moderation to concentrate to safety.
APK/AAB: Making ready the Software Construct
After establishing your account and filling within the primary info, the important thing technical stage comes — making ready the app construct. That is the place a lot of the necessities that Google checks throughout moderation are established.
Utilizing the Android App Bundle (AAB)
The Android App Bundle (AAB) format is now necessary for publishing new apps to Google Play. It permits Google to dynamically construct optimized APKs for every consumer’s machine, lowering obtain dimension and enhancing efficiency. Should you’re nonetheless utilizing the previous APK format, it’s time to change.
Goal API Stage: At all times Up-to-date
Google strictly displays the compliance of apps with present Android variations:
- Each new app is required to make use of the minimal Google Play-supported API goal stage
- There are separate deadlines for updates, which Google publishes prematurely
- Utilizing an outdated API is a frequent motive for the denial of publication
An up to date checklist of goal API necessities is all the time accessible right here:
Goal API stage necessities
Stability Verify: Actual-world Testing
Google pays particular consideration to utility stability. Moderation might reject a construct throughout pre-release testing or when downloading happens:
- ANR (Software Not Responding)
- Crashes and crashes throughout launch or runtime
- Compatibility points with completely different gadgets
To attenuate such dangers:
- At all times take a look at the app on actual gadgets, overlaying completely different Android variations and configurations
- Use Firebase App Distribution to distribute take a look at variations throughout the crew or to a restricted group of customers
- Combine Firebase Crashlytics to gather real-time crash information
These instruments can help you proactively detect and repair bugs earlier than submitting your app to Google Play.
Permissions: Minimal Essential Entry
Permissions are probably the most delicate areas for Google moderators:
- Request solely these permissions which might be truly needed for the appliance to work
- Any entry to location, digital camera, reminiscence, contacts, SMS, calls, and different delicate information have to be justified
- When submitting for publication, Google would require you to elucidate the aim for utilizing every requested permission
- Requesting unreasonable permissions is a typical motive for denial or extra overview
App Content material, Pricing, Metadata: Filling within the Software Info
When the construct is prepared and uploaded, the following essential stage comes — filling in all of the details about the app within the Google Play Console. Right here moderators look not on the code, however on the means you describe the performance, work with consumer information, and design the app’s pages within the retailer.
Description of the Software — Honesty and Consistency With Performance
The appliance description ought to mirror its precise performance as precisely as attainable. You will need to keep away from conditions when the outline claims options that aren’t current within the utility or work in a different way than said — this is likely one of the frequent causes for rejection throughout moderation.
The textual content ought to be clear, skilled, and trustworthy, with out extreme advertising guarantees or exaggerations. Google pays explicit consideration to doubtlessly deceptive language, so any claims in regards to the app’s options ought to match its precise capabilities.
Additionally, don’t overuse key phrases within the description — makes an attempt to artificially improve the visibility of the app by means of spammy or irrelevant phrases might end in extra scrutiny or rejection of the publication.
Media content material (Screenshots, Icons, Movies)
All visible supplies — screenshots, icons, movies — should precisely show the precise operation of the appliance. Using photos that mislead the consumer or don’t mirror the precise performance is unacceptable.
Google fastidiously checks screenshots for accuracy, prohibited, offensive, or inappropriate content material, and compliance with common design necessities.
For instance, textual content in screenshots mustn’t take up nearly all of the picture — the main target ought to be on the appliance interface and consumer expertise. Compliance with these guidelines helps keep away from pointless checks and will increase belief from each customers and moderators.
Google Play Content material Coverage
Google Play strictly enforces its content material coverage. The platform prohibits the publication of apps that comprise malicious, offensive, or unlawful content material, violate copyrights, or use misleading monetization and information assortment schemes.
Any type of manipulation of customers’ private info, hidden charges, or deception might trigger the app to be rejected or eliminated. If the app consists of monetization of digital content material, all funds should undergo the official Google Play Billing cost system — using third-party cost methods is prohibited on this case.
Failure to adjust to these necessities might consequence not solely within the rejection of the publication but in addition within the full elimination of the app from the shop.
Pricing
If the appliance is distributed on a business foundation, it’s essential to specify the worth prematurely. After publication, it will likely be way more tough to vary the worth of a free app to a paid model, so you will need to make this alternative earlier than sending it for moderation.
For in-app monetization (buy of options, content material, subscriptions), all funds have to be accurately arrange by way of Google Play Billing. Utilizing third-party cost methods for digital content material is in opposition to Google’s coverage and will result in publication rejection.
Information Security
The Information Security part is likely one of the most delicate and totally checked by Google Play moderation. The developer should totally and actually specify all varieties of consumer information that the app collects: private, technical, location, and every other information.
It is usually needed to tell whether or not this information is transferred to 3rd events, whether or not third-party SDKs and providers are used, in addition to point out whether or not encryption and safety measures are used within the transmission and storage of data.
As well as, it’s best to describe the aim for which the information is collected, whether or not it’s for analytics, personalization, promoting, or different functions.
Content material Ranking Questionnaire
Each app printed on Google Play should move a content material ranking questionnaire. All solutions within the questionnaire have to be correct and truthful. If the app comprises user-generated content material (e.g., chats, boards, social options), inside promoting, or offers with delicate subjects, this could all the time be thought-about when choosing an age class.
Goal Viewers and Content material
The age class of the audience is specified individually within the questionnaire. If the appliance is geared toward kids, it’s topic to a particular Program for households with particular and stricter necessities.
If the audience is grownup customers, you will need to specify this accurately to keep away from pointless restrictions or extra checks. It isn’t advisable to pick a broader viewers “simply in case” — this may occasionally additionally set off extra checks from Google.
Assessment Timelines
After submitting your app to Google Play Console, the moderation stage begins. You will need to perceive how the method works, what to anticipate, and the way to act in case of rejection.
Moderation Timeframe
Software validation can take anyplace from a couple of hours to 3-7 enterprise days. When you have advanced performance, delicate permissions, or a selected audience, the method might take longer. Google doesn’t set a set timeframe — the extra advanced the app, the longer the moderation course of will take.
Making ready for Potential Rejection
Even with correct preparation, an app might be rejected — as a result of rule updates or outcomes of computerized checks. After rejection, the developer receives an e mail and a notification in Play Console. You will need to analyze the e-mail fastidiously: the usual textual content is commonly supplemented with a selected motive for rejection. The most typical causes are:
- Non-compliance with the required Goal API Stage;
- Unreasonable permissions are requested;
- Errors or incompleteness within the privateness coverage;
- Underestimated age ranking or errors within the audience questionnaire;
- The said performance within the description doesn’t correspond to the precise performance.
Along with the rationale for the denial, Google’s letter might consult with particular paperwork from the official documentation — these references ought to all the time be studied to grasp the precise nature of the violation.
Working with Google Help and Moderation Guidelines
In case your utility is rejected, however you might be positive that the rejection is unjustified — there may be all the time a possibility to problem the choice. Google Play Console has a particular enchantment type for this goal.
You will need to describe the essence of the scenario in as a lot element and clearly as attainable, connect screenshots, movies and every other supplies that may verify the corrections or compliance of the appliance with the principles of the platform.
The extra particular and clear your enchantment is, the upper the possibilities for a fast and constructive determination. In advanced and controversial circumstances, you possibly can contact a separate Google help crew by way of the Coverage Help type.
The principle rule of publishing stays the identical: by no means attempt to cheat carefully. Google actively detects any makes an attempt to bypass the principles — whether or not it’s importing a light-weight construct for moderation after which changing the code, hidden performance, bypassing permission restrictions, or utilizing hidden SDKs activated by means of the server.
For such actions Google applies the hardest sanctions: not solely rejects the publication, however may fully block the developer’s account with deletion of all printed purposes with out the opportunity of restoration.
Prime Causes for Google Play Retailer Rejection
Many apps are turned down throughout Google Play moderation even with nice planning.
Listed here are the principle causes it’s best to pay particular consideration to:
Privateness and Information Assortment Violations
- Incomplete or inaccurate information in Information Security
- Lacking or incorrect Privateness Coverage
- Unreported third-party SDKs
- Unreasonable information assortment functions
Deceptive Metadata
- Promising non-existent talents
- Exaggerated wording
- Inaccurate screenshots
- Key phrase spamming
Delicate Permissions
- Requesting unreasonable permissions (location, contacts, digital camera, reminiscence, calls)
- Failure to elucidate the aim of every permission
- Makes an attempt to realize extreme entry to the machine with no clear want
Inappropriate Content material
- Violence, abuse, discrimination, pornography
- Hidden subscriptions, deceptive purchases
- Violations of native legal guidelines
- Weak moderation of user-generated content material
Copyright/IP Points
- Unlicensed use of music, photos, movies
- Infringement of emblems and types
- Copying interfaces or ideas of different purposes
Learn how to Keep away from Rejection
As a way to move Google Play moderation the primary time (and to not waste time debating with help), we’ve put collectively a easy and workable guidelines for you. Undergo it earlier than every publication — and the probabilities of rejection will lower dramatically.
Earlier than Publication:
- Make sure you take a look at the app on actual gadgets. Bugs on completely different fashions typically pop up throughout testing.
- Run the assessments by way of Google Play Console. Pre-launch Report will show you how to discover vital bugs prematurely: crashes, hangs, and efficiency points.
- Use take a look at tracks in Google Play: inside, closed, or open — to check the app on a restricted viewers earlier than the official launch.
Google’s Necessities:
- Undergo the official coverage checklists. Google itself supplies useful lists for the principle sections — privateness, permissions, information assortment, age restrictions, and so on.
- Verify the Information Security part. All information that the app collects, transmits, or processes — have to be trustworthy and detailed.
- Replace the Privateness Coverage. It ought to be full, updated, at a working hyperlink, with no redirects or “404 Not Discovered”.
- Be sure you’re solely asking for the proper permissions. No “simply in case” — each permission have to be justified.
Technical Stability:
- Join Firebase Crashlytics. It would show you how to catch and shortly repair utility failures.
- Use Firebase App Distribution for crew testing. This fashion you’re going to get suggestions even earlier than importing for moderation.
- Combine Play Integrity API. That is an extra plus for app safety.
Proper Earlier than the Launch:
- Verify the outline, screenshots, and movies. All the pieces a consumer sees in Google Play ought to strictly correspond to what she or he will get after set up.
- Don’t attempt to trick the system with lovely however unrealistic promo supplies.
- Specify the right age class and audience. You don’t want to pick a wider viewers — there is no such thing as a want for pointless verification.
Within the Case of a Rejection:
- Learn the Google e mail fastidiously. Typically, essential particulars are hidden within the textual content itself or in references to official paperwork.
- Put together well-reasoned appeals. Screenshots, movies, detailed explanations — the clearer your place, the upper the possibility that the moderation will rethink the choice.
Last Ideas
Earlier than submitting your app for overview to the Apple App Retailer or Google Play, it is vital not solely to move the necessary performance verify but in addition to handle assembly the necessities of the platforms prematurely.
Correct design of retailer itemizing, preparation of right app icon, description of app content material, establishing cost methods, and privateness — all this impacts how easily the app overview will go.
On the stage of preparation for publication, attempt to totally take a look at your app on completely different gadgets to ensure that it really works stably in numerous circumstances. It will show you how to detect attainable bugs prematurely and keep away from disagreeable surprises after the discharge.
It is usually value ensuring that your app meets all the present platform necessities: from the API stage to the principles of consumer information processing. Should you plan to launch not solely on iOS but in addition on Android, take care to satisfy the necessities of each platforms.
Make sure you verify how your app works throughout the app when utilizing completely different eventualities. That is very true for apps which might be associated to cell app improvement for enterprise or comprise advanced performance. Even minor deviations can result in delays or failures in validation.
To keep away from issues, it’s value going by means of the checklists beforehand: make sure that your app asks for less than the required permissions, comprises an up-to-date privateness coverage, and actually describes all performance within the retailer itemizing. Ideally, contain professionals within the course of to assist be certain that your app is totally prepared for publication and meets all necessities.
Should you don’t need to perceive all of the nuances your self, the SCAND crew is prepared that will help you at any stage. We audit apps earlier than they’re printed, show you how to create a correct retailer itemizing, verify all of the capabilities contained in the app, assess compliance with Google Play and Apple App Retailer necessities, and put together full documentation for app overview.
Due to our in depth expertise in cell app improvement, we all know the way to put together the app in order that the moderation course of is as quick as attainable and with out pointless rejections.