Google Play store is one of the leading platforms for the publication of Android applications all over the world. It is the number one choice of hundreds of developers across the globe for application publishing. Google Play store can be considered as the biggest repository of Android applications. According to some statistics, there are almost 2.1 million Android applications present over the Google play store.

Google Play store has some very strict guidelines regarding the content of the applications. Therefore, before working on an application it is advisable to read the Google play store’s application submission guidelines. This document consists of the necessary information that is essential for an application to be approved by the Google play store before publishing. The guidelines for application development and application submission are very strict in the Google play store. Last year, Google rejected almost 55% of the applications that were submitted for approval.

Why Google Play Store Rejects the Apps

I have decided to put down some reasons that might be involved in the rejection of the Android applications from the play store. Check your Android application for every possible reason and resolve it for publishing over the play store:

1. Nature of the Android mobile phone application

Among different things that are checked in an application, Google Play store checks for the nature of the mobile phone application. Certain limitations are present in the “Google application submission guidelines”. If the Android application that is submitted for approval contains any limitations, it will straightaway get rejected by the Google play store.  If your Android application consists of any of the following material, it will surely get rejected:

• Content that shows the endangerment of children.
• Content involving different kinds of terrorism and violent acts.
• Showing dangerous products inside the application.
• Content that is sexual in nature.
• Not using decent language in the content.
• Applications that promote gambling.

Among the above-mentioned points, some exceptions are also present regarding the application content. If an application is made for educational purposes or it promotes scientific research, then there will be an exception for your application, and it will get approved by Google Play store. Sometimes, to get your application approved by the Google play store you have to do the necessary adjustments with the application. Remove the content that comes under the limitations of the Google play store and apply it again for the approval process.

2. The application is not complying with the guidelines regarding the user-generated content

In some Android applications, the users create content and the content is further shared among the community. If the content present among the users is used for harassment and threats, then such an app will be rejected. One solution for fixing this problem is to use a moderation system inside the application that will remove threatening content automatically. Only such content should be allowed in your application that will be user friendly. The developers of the application should ensure that no one can use the application for promoting harassment and bullying.

3. The metadata of the application must be correct and consistent

Whenever a developer publishes the application over the play store, he must follow a step by step procedure. This procedure includes writing the metadata of the application.  The metadata of an application is very important regarding publishing. All of the information that is required for the application such as the application description, the name of the developer, application title, category of the application, icons, pictures, and the screenshots of the application must be correct and consistent. All information that is included in the metadata must conform with the application itself. Follow the step by step procedure of writing the metadata correctly. The information represented in the metadata must be accurate and complete. Whenever the application is reviewed before publishing by the Google play store, the metadata is checked thoroughly. Desired information must be added in the format that is required. Follow the application’s admission guidelines for writing the metadata.

4. The application might be violating intellectual property

Google play store has a very strict policy regarding the intellectual property of an application. If any application violates the intellectual property rights of any other application in the form of patent and trademark, the application will be immediately rejected by the Google Play store. In case, you have sponsorship from another application or you are partnering up with another existing application, then proper documentation should be submitted in the form of proof that the developer is not violating the intellectual property rights of other applications. Your application will be banned from the Google play store if you show the wrong affiliation with another application.

5. Your application does not contain the desired functionality and it contains the repetitive nature of the content

One of the key factors that is required for acceptance of an application on Google Play store is the uniqueness of the application. An application must be unique in its functionality and it should provide something different to the users. The content of the application must be new. If your application is similar to another application and content is copied from other applications then it will surely get rejected from the Google play store. If you are publishing multiple Android applications over the play store and applications have similar functionality then your applications will be removed from the play store as they will be considered as spam. The most important aspect of an application is to provide value to the users. Make sure that your application provides valuable content as well as valuable functionality to the users.

6. Complying the application with the privacy and security policy of Google

The privacy and security of an application is the most important aspect that is checked by the Google Play store before publishing an application. This reason is hard to find whenever an application gets rejected by the Google play store. Google Play store’s main aim is to provide a safe and secure environment for the users to download and install apps on their devices. Therefore, Google Play store rejects any applications that have some malicious type of content and such applications that might misuse the private data of individuals. Your application might be rejected from the Google play store due to the following reasons regarding privacy and data security:

• Your application is responsible for collecting unnecessary information about the users.
• You did not mention in your privacy policy about what kind of data you are gathering.
• The privacy policy is not easily shown inside the application.
• Proper action is not present in your application that shows the consent of the users that they are fine about the application using their personal information.
• The application uses different features of the user’s devices without informing them.
• You are not using a secure form of encryption inside your application.
• You did not submit a proper privacy policy on the Google console account.

What to Do If your Application is Rejected by Google Play Store?

Do not worry if your application gets rejected by the Google play store. There might be a very solid reason present behind your application rejection from the play store. This issue can be resolved very easily. Nowadays, it is very common to get the application rejected from the Google play store. One of the simple reasons for the application being rejected is that your application is not following the proper guidelines of the Google Play store. Sometimes applications get rejected because they have some performance issues. The approval process of the Google play store is quite strict to safeguard that all the applications that are published over the Android play store are free of the malicious code and the applications protect the user devices and privacy. Check the following points for fixing the application and submit the application again for the approval process on the play store:

• Test your application thoroughly. make sure it does not have any glitches and it is free of crashes.
• Review the description and other assets of the application to ensure that there are no Copyright issues.
• Include privacy policies inside your application to ensure that the application is not doing any data breach.

Summary

It is very common for applications to get rejected by the Google Play store nowadays. If an Application is rejected from the Google Play store, then make sure that the nature of the application is in compliance with the guidelines of the “Google Play store submission policies”. The application should not be violating the intellectual property rights of the other applications. Applications should safeguard the privacy and security of the users. The content of the application and the functionality of the application must be unique to be published on the Play Store. The metadata of the application must be correct and consistent and it should not violate the guidelines provided by Google.

Frequently Asked Questions