docs/html/distribute/googleplay/policies/spam.jd - platform/frameworks/base - Gitiles

 page.title=Spam
 @jd:body

 <div id="qv-wrapper">
 <div id="qv">
   <h2>In This Document</h2>
   <ol>
     <li><a href="#keyword-spam">Spam in App Title and Description</a></li>
     <li><a href="#ratings">Spam in Ratings and Reviews</a></li>
     <li><a href="#webview-spam">Spam in WebViews</a></li>
     <li><a href="#wizard-spam">Spam from Wizards</a></li>
     <li><a href="#message-spam">Spam in Messaging</a></li>
   </ol>

   <h2>More Resources</h2>
   <ol>
     <li><a href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html" target="_policies">Developer Program Policies</a></li>
     <li><a href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html" target="_policies">Developer Distribution Agreement</a></li>
   </ol>
 </div>
 </div>

 <p>
   Google Play policies prohibit spam, to help ensure the best experience for
   Android users. Please do not publish deceptive, repetitive, or irrelevant
   content on Google Play. Not only will it lower your app's rating and cause
   negative reviews, it can result in your app being suspended or your developer
   account terminated.
 </p>

 <p>
   As an app developer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your apps are
   free from spam and conform to the Google Play policies highlighted in this
   document. Before you publish, make sure that you understand what is
   considered spam on Google Play and check your apps for violations, even those
   that might be inadvertent. The sections below highlight best practices and
   common spam examples to help you avoid the most common types of policy
   violations.
 </p>

 <p>
   For more information about Google Play policies that apply to your apps and
   content, please see the <a href=
   "http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html" target=
   "_policies">Developer Program Policies</a> and <a href=
   "http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html" target=
   "_policies">Developer Distribution Agreement</a>.
 </p>


 <h2 id="keyword-spam">Spam in App Title and Description</h2>

 <p>
   When you publish an app on Google Play, you should pay special attention to
   the app's title and description in its store listing. Those fields are
   important because they make your app recognizable to users, and they help to
   drive downloads by highlighting what's great about your app. A memorable
   title and compelling description are essential to effective marketing, but
   you should realize that these must follow Google Play policies, just as your
   app content must do.
 </p>

 <p>
   Many developers unknowingly violate spam policy in their app titles and
   descriptions in ways that are easy to avoid. In general, you can
   avoid spam violations in your app title and description by following these
   best practices:
 </p>

 <ul>
   <li>
     <strong>Highlight what's great about your app</strong>&mdash;Share
     interesting and exciting facts about your app with users. Help users
     understand what makes your app special.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Describe your app accurately</strong>&mdash;Make sure the title
     and description describe the app function and user experience accurately.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Don't use repetitive keywords</strong>&mdash;Avoid keywords that
     are repetitive or excessive.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Don't include unrelated keywords or references</strong> &mdash;
     Your description should not be loaded with irrelevant keywords in an
     attempt to manipulate ranking or relevancy.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Keep it brief</strong>&mdash;Keep the description succinct and
     straightforward. Shorter descriptions tend to give a better user experience
     on devices with smaller displays. Excessive length, detail, or repetition
     can violate spam policy.
   </li>
 </ul>

 <p>
   Here's an example app title and description that follows best practices and
   does not violate Google Play spam policies.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block good" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
   <div class="heading">Best practice: App description</div>
   <table>
   <tr>
     <td>App Title:</td>
     <td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
     <td>
       <p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It
         is designed to help kids learn different species of turtles through
         cute pictures and amusing puzzle games.</p>
       <p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have
         your child drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded
         region. Phonics is also utilized, as a child can also tap the word
         below the image and hear the name pronounced.</p>
     </td>
   </tr>
   </table>
 </div>

 <p>
   The sections below highlight common types of policy violations in an app
   title and description, illustrated with variations on the best practice
   example.
 </p>

 <h3 id="repetitive-keywords">Repetitive keywords</h3>

 <p>
   Your app description should not include keywords that are repetitive or excessive.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
   <div class="heading">Description includes repetitive keywords</div>
   <table>
   <tr>
     <td>App Title:</td>
     <td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
     <td>
       <p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is
         designed to help kids learn different species of turtles through cute
         pictures and amusing puzzle games.</p>
       <p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your
         child drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region.
         Phonics is also utilized, as a child can also tap the word below the image
         and hear the name pronounced.</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">KEYWORDS: game, games, fun, funny, child,
         children, kid, kids, puzzle, puzzle games, sound, turtle, turtles, sea turtles,
         turtles, turtle, turtles, tortoise, tortoises, tortoise, tortoise,  turtles,
         turtles, turtles, turtles, tortoises, tortoise</p>
     </td>
   </tr>
   </table>
 </div>

 <h3 id="unrelated-keywords">Unrelated keywords or references</h3>

 <p>
   The description should not be loaded with irrelevant keywords in an attempt
   to manipulate ranking or relevancy in Google Play search results.
 </p>

 <p>
   For example, if your app has nothing to do with Lady Gaga, then she shouldn’t
   be included in your description. Also, do not add highly searched, irrelevant
   keywords that are unrelated to the function of the app. This is in breach of
   policy.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
   <div class="heading">Description includes unrelated keywords or references</div>
   <table>
   <tr>
     <td>App Title:</td>
     <td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
     <td>
       <p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is designed to
         help kids learn different species of turtles through cute pictures and amusing puzzle
         games.</p>
       <p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your child drag
         images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region. Phonics is also utilized,
         as a child can also tap the word below the image and hear the name pronounced.</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">This game is as addictive as Angry Birds, more social
         than Facebook and Twitter, and has a soundtrack reminiscent of Katy Perry and Lady
         Gaga.</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">KEYWORDS: Angry Birds, Facebook, Twitter, Katy Perry,
         Lady Gaga</p>
     </td>
   </tr>
   </table>
 </div>

 <h3 id="excessive-detail">Excessive detail, references to your other apps</h3>

 <p>
   Your app description should avoid excessive detail and references to your
   other apps or products. For example, you should not list all of the details
   of content included in the app or its various components, as shown in the
   example below. Also, the description should not include any references to
   other apps you’ve published.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
   <div class="heading">Description includes excessive detail, references to your other apps</div>
   <table>
   <tr>
     <td>App Title:</td>
     <td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
     <td>
       <p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is designed
         to help kids learn different species of turtles through cute pictures and amusing
         puzzle games.</p>
       <p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your child
         drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region. Phonics is also
         utilized, as a child can also tap the word below the image and hear the name
         pronounced.</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">Turtles included in the app: Alligator
         Snapping Turtle, Asian Box Turtle, Bog Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, Common Snapping
         Turtle, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Eastern Painted
         Turtle, False Map Turtle, Florida Pond Cooter, Florida Softshell Turtle, Green Sea
         Turtle, Map Turtle, Matamata Ornate Box Turtle, Red-bellied Side-necked Turtle,
         Red-eared Slider, Smooth Softshell Turtle, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Spotted Turtle,
         Western Painted Turtle, Wood Turtle, Yellow-bellied Slider</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">If you like this app try our other free apps:<br />
        ★ Fun Zoo<br />
        ★ CD Guns<br />
        ★ Dessert House<br />
        ★ Playground<br />
        ★ 578 Weapons</p>
     </td>
   </tr>
   </table>
 </div>


 <h2 id="ratings">Spam in Ratings and Reviews</h2>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="width:440px;">
   <div class="heading">Inappropriate content in a review</div>
   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-policy-spam-negreview.png">
 </div>

 <p>
   Ratings and reviews are benchmarks of app quality and users depend on them to
   be authentic and relevant. As an app developer, you should not attempt to
   artificially influence your app's ratings and reviews or those of your
   competitor, such as by posting fake ratings or reviews or including spam
   content in app reviews. The sections below provide guidelines for rating and
   reviewing apps.
 </p>

 <p>
   So that you can stay in touch with any issues that users are having with your
   app, you should read through your ratings and reviews on a regular basis. If
   you choose to reply to reviews, make sure to keep your reply focused on the
   actual issues raised in the user's comments and do not ask for a higher
   rating.
 </p>

 <p>
   If you see an app or developer reply that doesn’t follow these guidelines,
   you can report it. See <a href=
   "http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=113417&topic=2364761&ctx=topic"
   target="_policies">Inappropriate content in comments and applications</a> for
   more information.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="margin-top:3em;width:213px;">
   <div class="heading">Soliciting ratings</div>
   <img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-policy-spam-reqrating.png">
 </div>

 <h3 id="fake-ratings">Fake or inappropriate ratings and reviews</h3>

 <p>
   To help ensure the quality of ratings and reviews, Google Play policies limit
   the ways that individuals can use ratings and reviews. In particular, note
   that it is a violation of policy to use ratings and reviews to influence the
   placement of any app in Google Play.
 </p>

 <p>
   As an app developer, make sure that you follow these guidelines:
 </p>

 <ul>
   <li>
     <strong>Don't try to manipulate ratings</strong>&mdash;Do not engage in
     attempts to manipulate the ratings, reviews, or ranking of your apps,
     either directly or indirectly, or by manipulating the ratings of your
     competitors. Do not attempt to artificially boost reviews, ratings, or
     installs through any means.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Don't solicit ratings through incentives</strong>&mdash;Do not
     offer users any incentives to rate your app, such as offering rewards of
     any kind or tying app functionality to rating.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Don't rate apps multiple times</strong>&mdash;Do not review or
     rate any app multiple times in an attempt to influence its placement in
     Google Play.
   </li>

   <li>
     <strong>Don't add improper content to reviews</strong>&mdash;Do not
     include affiliate, coupon, game codes, email addresses, or links to
     websites or other apps in your reviews. If you are responding to a user
     review, feel free to include references to helpful resources such as a
     support address or FAQ page.
   </li>
 </ul>

 <h3 id="solicited-ratings">Soliciting ratings from users</h3>

 <p>
   In general, <strong>do not offer incentives for ratings</strong>. You should
   not offer users incentives of any kind for rating your app (or any other app)
   on Google Play, and you should not tie your app's functionality or content to
   rating in any way.
 </p>

 <p>
   It's acceptable to ask users to rate your app without incentives, for
   example: "If you like this game, rate us in Google Play!" On the other hand,
   it's a policy violation to ask users to rate your app based on incentives,
   for example: "Rate this app and get 500 coins" or "Rate this app 5 stars and
   get you 500 coins!"
 </p>


 <h2 id="webview-spam" style="clear:right">Spam in WebViews</h2>

 <p>
   Apps published on Google Play should provide their own content. Do not
   publish an app whose primary function is to reproduce or frame someone else’s
   website (unless you have permission).
 </p>

 <p>
   Similarly, do not publish an app whose primary function is to drive affiliate
   traffic to a website. Although affiliate deals can exist where an app's
   primary purpose is delivering its own content or functionality, it's a
   violation of Google Play policies to publish an app whose primary (or
   only) purpose is to direct affiliate traffic to another website.
 </p>

 <div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
   <div class="heading">WebView spam</div>
   <table>
   <tr>
     <td>App Title:</td>
     <td>Kids puzzle: Desktop Browser for Turtoogle Game</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td>Developer:</td>
     <td>AAZZZ <span style="border:2px solid red;">(not affiliated with Turtoogle
       Inc.)</span></td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
     <td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
     <td>
       <p>Have you ever wanted to use the full, desktop web version of Turtoogle
         Game from your phone or tablet instead of the Turtoogle Game mobile app
         or Turtoogle Game mobile web site?</p>
       <p style="border:2px solid red;">This app lets you access Turtoogle Game
         on your Android device in the same way as you access the game on your
         desktop computer, and with all the same Turtoogle Game features.</p>
     </td>
   </tr>
   </table>
 </div>


 <h2 id="wizard-spam">Spam from Wizards</h2>

 <p>
   Apps that are created by an automated tool or wizard service must not be
   submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other
   persons. Such tools often produce too many duplicative or low-quality
   apps which crowd the higher-quality apps in the Play Store.
 </p>

 <p>
   Please be advised that apps created by an automated tool are only permissible
   if the app end-product complies with Google Play policies and is published in
   the Play Store through a developer account that is registered and owned by
   you.
 </p>


 <h2 id="message-spam">Spam in Messaging</h2>

 <p>
   Your app may not send SMS, email, or other messages on behalf of the user
   without providing the user with the ability to confirm the content and intended
   recipient.
 </p>

 <p>
   Google Play will aggressively remove applications that are found to send or
   modify SMS messages without user knowledge or consent.
 </p>
	page.title=Spam
	@jd:body

	<div id="qv-wrapper">
	<div id="qv">
	<h2>In This Document</h2>
	<ol>
	<li><a href="#keyword-spam">Spam in App Title and Description</a></li>
	<li><a href="#ratings">Spam in Ratings and Reviews</a></li>
	<li><a href="#webview-spam">Spam in WebViews</a></li>
	<li><a href="#wizard-spam">Spam from Wizards</a></li>
	<li><a href="#message-spam">Spam in Messaging</a></li>
	</ol>

	<h2>More Resources</h2>
	<ol>
	<li><a href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html" target="_policies">Developer Program Policies</a></li>
	<li><a href="http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html" target="_policies">Developer Distribution Agreement</a></li>
	</ol>
	</div>
	</div>

	<p>
	Google Play policies prohibit spam, to help ensure the best experience for
	Android users. Please do not publish deceptive, repetitive, or irrelevant
	content on Google Play. Not only will it lower your app's rating and cause
	negative reviews, it can result in your app being suspended or your developer
	account terminated.
	</p>

	<p>
	As an app developer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your apps are
	free from spam and conform to the Google Play policies highlighted in this
	document. Before you publish, make sure that you understand what is
	considered spam on Google Play and check your apps for violations, even those
	that might be inadvertent. The sections below highlight best practices and
	common spam examples to help you avoid the most common types of policy
	violations.
	</p>

	<p>
	For more information about Google Play policies that apply to your apps and
	content, please see the <a href=
	"http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html" target=
	"_policies">Developer Program Policies</a> and <a href=
	"http://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html" target=
	"_policies">Developer Distribution Agreement</a>.
	</p>


	<h2 id="keyword-spam">Spam in App Title and Description</h2>

	<p>
	When you publish an app on Google Play, you should pay special attention to
	the app's title and description in its store listing. Those fields are
	important because they make your app recognizable to users, and they help to
	drive downloads by highlighting what's great about your app. A memorable
	title and compelling description are essential to effective marketing, but
	you should realize that these must follow Google Play policies, just as your
	app content must do.
	</p>

	<p>
	Many developers unknowingly violate spam policy in their app titles and
	descriptions in ways that are easy to avoid. In general, you can
	avoid spam violations in your app title and description by following these
	best practices:
	</p>

	<ul>
	<li>
	<strong>Highlight what's great about your app</strong>—Share
	interesting and exciting facts about your app with users. Help users
	understand what makes your app special.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Describe your app accurately</strong>—Make sure the title
	and description describe the app function and user experience accurately.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Don't use repetitive keywords</strong>—Avoid keywords that
	are repetitive or excessive.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Don't include unrelated keywords or references</strong> —
	Your description should not be loaded with irrelevant keywords in an
	attempt to manipulate ranking or relevancy.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Keep it brief</strong>—Keep the description succinct and
	straightforward. Shorter descriptions tend to give a better user experience
	on devices with smaller displays. Excessive length, detail, or repetition
	can violate spam policy.
	</li>
	</ul>

	<p>
	Here's an example app title and description that follows best practices and
	does not violate Google Play spam policies.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block good" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
	<div class="heading">Best practice: App description</div>
	<table>
	<tr>
	<td>App Title:</td>
	<td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
	<td>
	<p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It
	is designed to help kids learn different species of turtles through
	cute pictures and amusing puzzle games.</p>
	<p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have
	your child drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded
	region. Phonics is also utilized, as a child can also tap the word
	below the image and hear the name pronounced.</p>
	</td>
	</tr>
	</table>
	</div>

	<p>
	The sections below highlight common types of policy violations in an app
	title and description, illustrated with variations on the best practice
	example.
	</p>

	<h3 id="repetitive-keywords">Repetitive keywords</h3>

	<p>
	Your app description should not include keywords that are repetitive or excessive.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
	<div class="heading">Description includes repetitive keywords</div>
	<table>
	<tr>
	<td>App Title:</td>
	<td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
	<td>
	<p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is
	designed to help kids learn different species of turtles through cute
	pictures and amusing puzzle games.</p>
	<p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your
	child drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region.
	Phonics is also utilized, as a child can also tap the word below the image
	and hear the name pronounced.</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">KEYWORDS: game, games, fun, funny, child,
	children, kid, kids, puzzle, puzzle games, sound, turtle, turtles, sea turtles,
	turtles, turtle, turtles, tortoise, tortoises, tortoise, tortoise, turtles,
	turtles, turtles, turtles, tortoises, tortoise</p>
	</td>
	</tr>
	</table>
	</div>

	<h3 id="unrelated-keywords">Unrelated keywords or references</h3>

	<p>
	The description should not be loaded with irrelevant keywords in an attempt
	to manipulate ranking or relevancy in Google Play search results.
	</p>

	<p>
	For example, if your app has nothing to do with Lady Gaga, then she shouldn’t
	be included in your description. Also, do not add highly searched, irrelevant
	keywords that are unrelated to the function of the app. This is in breach of
	policy.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
	<div class="heading">Description includes unrelated keywords or references</div>
	<table>
	<tr>
	<td>App Title:</td>
	<td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
	<td>
	<p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is designed to
	help kids learn different species of turtles through cute pictures and amusing puzzle
	games.</p>
	<p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your child drag
	images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region. Phonics is also utilized,
	as a child can also tap the word below the image and hear the name pronounced.</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">This game is as addictive as Angry Birds, more social
	than Facebook and Twitter, and has a soundtrack reminiscent of Katy Perry and Lady
	Gaga.</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">KEYWORDS: Angry Birds, Facebook, Twitter, Katy Perry,
	Lady Gaga</p>
	</td>
	</tr>
	</table>
	</div>

	<h3 id="excessive-detail">Excessive detail, references to your other apps</h3>

	<p>
	Your app description should avoid excessive detail and references to your
	other apps or products. For example, you should not list all of the details
	of content included in the app or its various components, as shown in the
	example below. Also, the description should not include any references to
	other apps you’ve published.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
	<div class="heading">Description includes excessive detail, references to your other apps</div>
	<table>
	<tr>
	<td>App Title:</td>
	<td>Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
	<td>
	<p>This is the perfect app to have a good time with your children. It is designed
	to help kids learn different species of turtles through cute pictures and amusing
	puzzle games.</p>
	<p>The rules of Kids puzzle: Identify Turtles are quite simple. Have your child
	drag images around the screen to fit them into the shaded region. Phonics is also
	utilized, as a child can also tap the word below the image and hear the name
	pronounced.</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">Turtles included in the app: Alligator
	Snapping Turtle, Asian Box Turtle, Bog Turtle, Common Musk Turtle, Common Snapping
	Turtle, Diamondback Terrapin, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Mud Turtle, Eastern Painted
	Turtle, False Map Turtle, Florida Pond Cooter, Florida Softshell Turtle, Green Sea
	Turtle, Map Turtle, Matamata Ornate Box Turtle, Red-bellied Side-necked Turtle,
	Red-eared Slider, Smooth Softshell Turtle, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Spotted Turtle,
	Western Painted Turtle, Wood Turtle, Yellow-bellied Slider</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">If you like this app try our other free apps:<br />
	★ Fun Zoo<br />
	★ CD Guns<br />
	★ Dessert House<br />
	★ Playground<br />
	★ 578 Weapons</p>
	</td>
	</tr>
	</table>
	</div>


	<h2 id="ratings">Spam in Ratings and Reviews</h2>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="width:440px;">
	<div class="heading">Inappropriate content in a review</div>
	<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-policy-spam-negreview.png">
	</div>

	<p>
	Ratings and reviews are benchmarks of app quality and users depend on them to
	be authentic and relevant. As an app developer, you should not attempt to
	artificially influence your app's ratings and reviews or those of your
	competitor, such as by posting fake ratings or reviews or including spam
	content in app reviews. The sections below provide guidelines for rating and
	reviewing apps.
	</p>

	<p>
	So that you can stay in touch with any issues that users are having with your
	app, you should read through your ratings and reviews on a regular basis. If
	you choose to reply to reviews, make sure to keep your reply focused on the
	actual issues raised in the user's comments and do not ask for a higher
	rating.
	</p>

	<p>
	If you see an app or developer reply that doesn’t follow these guidelines,
	you can report it. See <a href=
	"http://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=113417&topic=2364761&ctx=topic"
	target="_policies">Inappropriate content in comments and applications</a> for
	more information.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="margin-top:3em;width:213px;">
	<div class="heading">Soliciting ratings</div>
	<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-policy-spam-reqrating.png">
	</div>

	<h3 id="fake-ratings">Fake or inappropriate ratings and reviews</h3>

	<p>
	To help ensure the quality of ratings and reviews, Google Play policies limit
	the ways that individuals can use ratings and reviews. In particular, note
	that it is a violation of policy to use ratings and reviews to influence the
	placement of any app in Google Play.
	</p>

	<p>
	As an app developer, make sure that you follow these guidelines:
	</p>

	<ul>
	<li>
	<strong>Don't try to manipulate ratings</strong>—Do not engage in
	attempts to manipulate the ratings, reviews, or ranking of your apps,
	either directly or indirectly, or by manipulating the ratings of your
	competitors. Do not attempt to artificially boost reviews, ratings, or
	installs through any means.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Don't solicit ratings through incentives</strong>—Do not
	offer users any incentives to rate your app, such as offering rewards of
	any kind or tying app functionality to rating.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Don't rate apps multiple times</strong>—Do not review or
	rate any app multiple times in an attempt to influence its placement in
	Google Play.
	</li>

	<li>
	<strong>Don't add improper content to reviews</strong>—Do not
	include affiliate, coupon, game codes, email addresses, or links to
	websites or other apps in your reviews. If you are responding to a user
	review, feel free to include references to helpful resources such as a
	support address or FAQ page.
	</li>
	</ul>

	<h3 id="solicited-ratings">Soliciting ratings from users</h3>

	<p>
	In general, <strong>do not offer incentives for ratings</strong>. You should
	not offer users incentives of any kind for rating your app (or any other app)
	on Google Play, and you should not tie your app's functionality or content to
	rating in any way.
	</p>

	<p>
	It's acceptable to ask users to rate your app without incentives, for
	example: "If you like this game, rate us in Google Play!" On the other hand,
	it's a policy violation to ask users to rate your app based on incentives,
	for example: "Rate this app and get 500 coins" or "Rate this app 5 stars and
	get you 500 coins!"
	</p>


	<h2 id="webview-spam" style="clear:right">Spam in WebViews</h2>

	<p>
	Apps published on Google Play should provide their own content. Do not
	publish an app whose primary function is to reproduce or frame someone else’s
	website (unless you have permission).
	</p>

	<p>
	Similarly, do not publish an app whose primary function is to drive affiliate
	traffic to a website. Although affiliate deals can exist where an app's
	primary purpose is delivering its own content or functionality, it's a
	violation of Google Play policies to publish an app whose primary (or
	only) purpose is to direct affiliate traffic to another website.
	</p>

	<div class="example-block bad" style="width:100%;float:none;margin:.5em auto 2em 0;">
	<div class="heading">WebView spam</div>
	<table>
	<tr>
	<td>App Title:</td>
	<td>Kids puzzle: Desktop Browser for Turtoogle Game</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td>Developer:</td>
	<td>AAZZZ <span style="border:2px solid red;">(not affiliated with Turtoogle
	Inc.)</span></td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
	<td style="white-space:nowrap;">App Description:</td>
	<td>
	<p>Have you ever wanted to use the full, desktop web version of Turtoogle
	Game from your phone or tablet instead of the Turtoogle Game mobile app
	or Turtoogle Game mobile web site?</p>
	<p style="border:2px solid red;">This app lets you access Turtoogle Game
	on your Android device in the same way as you access the game on your
	desktop computer, and with all the same Turtoogle Game features.</p>
	</td>
	</tr>
	</table>
	</div>


	<h2 id="wizard-spam">Spam from Wizards</h2>

	<p>
	Apps that are created by an automated tool or wizard service must not be
	submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other
	persons. Such tools often produce too many duplicative or low-quality
	apps which crowd the higher-quality apps in the Play Store.
	</p>

	<p>
	Please be advised that apps created by an automated tool are only permissible
	if the app end-product complies with Google Play policies and is published in
	the Play Store through a developer account that is registered and owned by
	you.
	</p>


	<h2 id="message-spam">Spam in Messaging</h2>

	<p>
	Your app may not send SMS, email, or other messages on behalf of the user
	without providing the user with the ability to confirm the content and intended
	recipient.
	</p>

	<p>
	Google Play will aggressively remove applications that are found to send or
	modify SMS messages without user knowledge or consent.
	</p>