Top Reasons Why Google Rejects Apps During Play Store Review
Can you believe how dominant the app development market has become? The surprising fact is that the market is still dormant and holds space for new apps despite the cutting-edge competition. The dynamic consumer choices are one reason developers are encouraged to build apps with the most advanced tools and technologies.
You’ve put all the effort into building it and finally got it submitted to the Google Play store, only to find out that it was rejected during the review.
It's unfortunate but don’t fret, you aren’t the only one. We’ve put together this blog to give yourself the best possible chance of getting into the Play Store.
Let’s get started.
Reasons Why your App gets Rejected from Google Play Store?
If your app has suffered Google’s lash and got rejected during the Play Store review, you must know two things.
First, your app is not the only one that got rejected.
The second thing is that it isn’t a big problem and can be resolved.
Yes, you heard it right! It's quite devastating to know that your app underwent rejection but as Google’s approval process is more strict these days to ensure users enjoy safe, secure, and bug-free apps, you might experience it.
To understand how to avoid this issue, let’s look into why it happens in the first place.
1) The app is a Copy of Another one
Apps that are exactly like existing apps in the Google Play store will be rejected. Yes, there are copycats who choose the most popular app in Google Play Store, modify it a bit, and submit it to the Play store as a completely new app.
How to Avoid it
Avoiding this isn’t rocket science. Come up with a unique app concept, conduct research on existing apps on Google Play Store to understand how saturated your app category is so that you can create a unique user experience.
Always use original UI, logo, and icon designs to differentiate your app even if your app idea is unique.
2) You Skipped a Privacy Policy
A privacy policy is a legally binding document that elaborates how your application collects and uses the personal information of users.
To comply with privacy rules, Google requires developers to include a privacy policy, your privacy policy must explain how you utilize the data you collect, including how it's stored and whether it's shared with third-parties or not.
How to avoid it
Make sure you have a privacy policy that complies with the requirements of Google Play.
Your privacy policy must also include the following:
Developer's name and contact information.
Personal and sensitive user data type your app would collect, leverage, and share.
The list of third parties you would share your user's personal data with.
How do you keep your personal user data secure and for how long?
Can users delete their personal data and if yes how.
Is your privacy policy public, non-editable, and exists in a permanent format?
3) Bugs and Crashes
The Google Play store expects your app to work perfectly when submitted to the store. It might sound straightforward but over 8% of apps submitted to app stores are rejected due to this issue.
How to avoid it
Check your app for bugs, issues, and crashes until you feel everything is right. Test, test and test again as this helps you to pass the app store review and enjoy a higher success rate as your app goes live.
4) Poor User Experience
All App stores including the Google Play store want their apps to be of the highest quality. If your app is compromised on either the UI or UX or simply doesn’t work, it won’t make it to the store.
How to avoid it
User experience must be considered right from the beginning of the development phase. Consider utility and design while planning how your app will function. Start by crafting a user journey and finish it with a wireframe which is a basic outline of your app structure. It is what defines where the content, buttons, and other key elements will be placed which is the backbone of the entire UX.
Before releasing the early version of your app, test the prototype with your users to gather real feedback which would be helpful before submitting the app to the app store.
You can use tools like Crashlytics which is Google’s real-time crash reporter, it helps in tracking and solving issues that affect the stability of your app. It will also help you figure out which lines are responsible for frequent crashes.
5) Incorrect App Content Rating
The Play Store has a content rating feature for apps where you can provide information about what age group the app is suitable for. Google gives developers a questionnaire that must be filled out based on which the app will be given a rating.
Make sure you provide the correct information about the app so that it resonates with your target audience and their needs.
How to avoid it
If you don’t get it right at the first shot, don’t worry. Google always gives you a second chance to fill it up correctly. Make sure you take this opportunity seriously, offer the right information about the app and get it rated correctly. If you miss the chance, your app will be rejected from the Play Store permanently.
Conclusion
Even if it's your first time, you don’t have to figure it all out yourself. All app stores, including Google’s Play Store offer step-by-step guide on submitting an app for the review process.
For an app to get rejected by the Play Store there are several reasons beyond the above-discussed ones. Keep track of the developer guidelines to avoid getting banned.
If you need help in creating the app of your dreams, Zartek can help you with building a feature-rich app that is unique and helpful for your target audience.
We also offer assistance in making the app live on the Google Play Store easing half of your struggle. Contact us to get started.