Developers must not attempt to manipulate the placement of any apps on Google Play. This includes, but is not limited to, inflating product ratings, reviews, or install counts by illegitimate means, such as fraudulent or incentivized installs, reviews and ratings. Incentivized installs, reviews, and ratings include using text or images in your app title, icon, developer name that indicate price or other promotional information.
Developers must not add text or images that indicate store performance or ranking, or suggest relations to existing Google Play programs in the app title, icon, or developer name.
Examples of common violations in ratings and reviews
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Asking users to rate your app while offering an incentive:
① This notification offers users a discount in exchange for a high rating.
- Repeatedly submitting ratings to influence the app’s placement on Google Play.
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Submitting or encouraging users to submit reviews containing inappropriate content, including affiliates, coupons, game codes, email addresses, or links to websites or other apps:
② This review encourages users to promote the RescueRover app by making a coupon offer.
Ratings and reviews are benchmarks of app quality. Users depend on them to be authentic and relevant. Here are some best practices when responding to user reviews:
- Keep your reply focused on the issues raised in the user's comments and don’t ask for a higher rating.
- Include references to helpful resources such as a support address or FAQ page.
Examples of common violations in app title, icon, or developer name
- Images or text that indicate store performance or ranking, such as 'App of the year,' '#1,' 'Best of Play 20XX,' 'Popular,' award icons, etc.
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Images or text that indicate price and promotional information, such as '10% off,' '$50 cash back,' 'free for limited time only,' etc.
- Images or text that indicate Google Play programs, such as 'Editor’s choice,' 'New,' etc.