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{{+bindTo:partials.standard_store_article}}
<h1>Frequently Asked Questions</h1>
<p>
The <a href="http://chrome.google.com/webstore">Chrome Web Store</a>
lets you publish free or paid apps
where Google Chrome users can easily find them.
This FAQ answers many common questions about the Chrome Web Store.
If you don't find your answer here,
check the <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/hosting_changes">extension
hosting changes FAQs</a>,
the <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/faq">general extension
FAQs</a>, or the
<a href="http://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/group/chromium-apps">chromium-apps
group</a>.
</p>
<h5>General Questions</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-01">What is the Chrome Web Store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-02">How many people use Chrome?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-05">Is there a road map for Chrome?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-06">Which version of Chrome should I target for my
Chrome Web Store apps?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-07">Why would someone install a web app instead of
just using a bookmark or typing in a URL?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-08">Is there an approval process for apps in the
store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-09">How will users find my app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-11">Why am I being asked to pay a registration
fee?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-12">Why am I <em>not</em> being asked to pay a
registration fee?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-17">How can I signup using my Google Apps email
address (for example, admin@example.com)?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-22">What types of apps or extensions are not
allowed in the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-23">How do I report an abusive app or
extension?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-24">How are items ranked in the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-25">How are "Featured" items selected?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-26">How can my app or extension be selected for a
collection?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-27">How can I provide support for users of my app
or extension?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-28">Can I remove comments from my listing if I
believe they are unfair?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-29">Is there a limit to the number of items I can
have on the Chrome Web Store?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Development</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-dev-01">How do I write an app or extension?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-04">What technologies can I use to build
installable web apps?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-10">Should I build a web app or an extension?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-dev-02">How can I push an update of my code to my
users?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-dev-03">Can I host my own app or extension?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Creating a listing</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-01">In what format should I upload my code?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-02">How long will it take for my listing to
appear in the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-03">How can I remove my listing from the
store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-04">What are the screenshot and text
requirements for the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-05">How can I import an existing app or
extension into the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-06">How can I export an app or extension from
the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-07">Why did I receive a "Cannot parse the
manifest" error when uploading my app or extension?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-15">I've verified my domain, and I have a wildcard
app URL like *://example.com, but the Chrome Web Store is still asking
me to verify my domain. What gives?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-16">When I try to upload my app to the Chrome Web
Store, I get this error: "(Server rejected) An error occurred: please
try again later." What gives?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-18">Can I control the regions where my app is
listed?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-19">How do I localize my listing in the store?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-20">How do I localize my detailed description?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-gen-21">How do I show different screenshot images per
region?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-08">My item’s status says "pending review."
What does this mean?</a></li>
<li><a href ="faq#faq-listing-09">Why isn’t my app showing up on search?</a>
</li>
<li><a href ="faq#faq-listing-10">My app has been removed from the Chrome Web Store.
What should I do?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-listing-11">How do I link my Play and Chrome Web Store item so that
the "Available for Android" link appears on my item detail page?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Payments and licence server</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-01">What technologies does the Chrome Web
Store Payments system use?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-02">How can I verify that a user has paid for
my
app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-03">What technologies are used to take
payments?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-04">I already have a credit card merchant
account. Do I really have to use Google Wallet for Digital Goods?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-05">I already use Paypal. Do I have to use
Google Wallet for Digital Goods?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-06">Does the Chrome Web Store have a preferred
way to do in-app payments?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-07">Is the Chrome Web Store Licensing API
final?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-08">How does the Licensing API use OAuth?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-09">Does the free trial option provide
time-limited trials?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-10">Can a Chrome Web Store app be both paid
and free trial?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-11">I'm not based in the US, can I still sell
my app or extension?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-12">I am a developer in region X, will I be
able to sell my app in region Y?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-13">Great, I can sell my app in many regions.
How do I manage the pricing across all these currencies?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-14">If pricing is set in tiers, does that mean
I am locked in to the same tier across all the regions I sell my app
in?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-15">Is there a big table that will tell me
what I will receive from each region with the fees included?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-payments-16">If I list in all these regions, when and
how do I get paid?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Installable web apps</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-01">What is the difference between packaged apps
and hosted apps?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-02">Can I sell a packaged app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-02.5">Why do you allow developers the option of
paid packaged apps?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-03">Can installable web apps have page actions?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-04">Can installable web apps have browser
actions?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-05">Can I use Google AdSense in my web app?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-06">Can I use Google Analytics?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-07">What is the size limit for apps in the
store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-08">I have a free Flash game, can I host it in the
store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-09">I have a Flash game that I would love to be
able to take payments for, how can I do it?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-10">Do installable web apps run from the desktop,
installed as separate apps, or otherwise operate independently of the
browser?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-11">What is actually installed by an installable
web app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-12">Do Chrome Web Store apps work in browsers other
than Chrome?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-13">Will users of other browsers be able to install
apps directly from the Chrome Web Store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-14">Do installable web apps work on different
operating systems?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-15">How do I store my content for offline
access?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-16">What makes a good web app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-17">What is the screen resolution for Chrome Web
Store apps?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-18">Do apps run in full screen?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-19">Will apps work on Android?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-20">Will apps work on Google TV?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-21">What can I do to protect the content of my web
app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-22">What happens when a user clicks an external
link in my app?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-23">How should my app handle the back button?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-24">How can I detect whether my app is running as
an installed web app and via the Chrome app launcher (and not just via a
bookmark or link)? </a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-25">My app is available in multiple regions. Can I
list it in different categories for each region?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-26">What is the difference between using inline
installation and hosting a .crx file on my own site?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-app-27">Is inline installation supported with all
items?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Extensions</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-extensions-01">Can I sell extensions in the store?</a>
</li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-extensions-02">Can I use the Licensing API with
extensions?</a></li>
</ul>
<h5>Themes</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="faq#faq-themes-01">Can I sell themes in the store?</a></li>
<li><a href="faq#faq-themes-02">Can I use the Licensing API with
themes?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="general"> General Questions </h2>
<dl>
<h5 id="faq-gen-01">What is the Chrome Web Store?</h5>
<p>The Chrome Web Store is an open marketplace for <a href="/apps/">Chrome
Apps</a>, <a href="http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/">Google
Chrome Extensions</a>, and <a
href="http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/themes.html">Google
Chrome Themes</a>, where consumers may browse, install, and purchase
items and install them in their browser. These apps are built with web
technologies and run inside of web browsers.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-02">How many people use Chrome?</h5>
<p>In October 2011, Google announced 200 million active users for Chrome.
It's also important to note that Chrome Web Store apps can run in any
browser that supports the web technologies used to build the app.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-05">Is there a road map for Chrome?</h5>
<p>You can follow the <a href="http://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/">Google
Chrome Releases blog</a> to learn about all the latest changes that are
being made to Chrome. You can create and track bugs and features in the
<a href="http://crbug.com">Chromium bug tracker</a>, and we recommend
that you download and install the <a
href="http://www.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel">Dev
channel
build</a> of Chrome browser.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-06">Which version of Chrome should I target for my Chrome
Web Store apps?</h5>
<p>You should target Chrome 8 as a minimum, however the Chrome Web Store was
made available to all users in Chrome 9.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-07">Why would someone install a web app instead of just
using a bookmark or typing in a URL?</h5>
<p>Installing an app ensures it is launchable from the New Tab Page via the
Chrome apps launcher. Installing an app also allows you to grant it
privileges such as unlimited local storage and background pages.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-08">Is there an approval process for apps in the store?</h5>
<p>All apps go through an automated review process and in most cases, an app
will be published without further manual review. There may be some
instances in which a manual review will be required before the app is
published based on our <a href="program_policies.html">program
policies</a>.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-09">How will users find my app?</h5>
<p>The Chrome Web Store will surface web apps in a variety of ways. Of
course, each app gets a page in the store, which will be searchable via
the store and other search engines. There will be category lists in the
store, as well as a variety of curated and algorithmically generated
lists. We recommend that you broadly promote your web app, through
marketing websites and other means, so that users will find your app
even outside of the store.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-11">Why am I being asked to pay a registration fee?</h5>
<p>The new registration fee helps to prevent fraud in the Chrome Web
Store.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-12">Why am I <em>not</em> being asked to pay a registration
fee?</h5>
<p>The fee is waived for developers who signed up with the Chrome Extensions
Gallery before August 19, 2010.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-17">How can I signup using my Google Apps email address (for
example, admin@example.com)?</h5>
<p> If you can't sign into the Chrome Developer Dashboard
with your Google Apps email address, you have two options:
<ol>
<li> Go to
<a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount">https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount</a>,
and create a Google Account whose login email
is your Google Apps email address.
Once you do this,
you'll be able to log in using that email address.
Note, however, that you'll have two accounts
with the same login email address:
a Google Account and a Google Apps account.
</li>
<li> Wait until the domain is transferred to
the new Google Apps account infrastructure.
Transitioned Google Apps accounts
will be able to log into the Chrome Developer Dashboard.
For more information, read the
<a href="http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/topic.py?topic=28917">help
for the new Google Apps infrastructure</a>.
</li>
</ol>
<p>
We recommend option 1 if you want to get up and running as soon as
possible.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-22">What types of apps or extensions are not allowed in the
store?</h5>
<p>
While we try to allow most apps and extensions, a small number of
extensions are explicitly disallowed
in our <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/terms">Developer
Terms of Service</a>
and <a
href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/intl/en/program_policies.html">Program
Policies</a>.
Such apps or extensions will be removed when they are brought to our
attention.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-23">How do I report an abusive app or extension?</h5>
<p>
To report an app or extension which violates our Terms of Service,
locate the corresponding listing in
the store and use the "Report abuse" link.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-24">How are items ranked in the store?</h5>
<p>
Items in the store are ranked by a heuristic that takes into account
ratings from users
as well as usage statistics, such as the number of downloads vs.
uninstalls over time.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-25">How are "Featured" items selected?</h5>
<p>
The Chrome Web Store team occasionally selects interesting listings as
"Featured" listings. We're not accepting requests to be
featured at this point, since that would quickly become unmanageable.
Here are a few
tips to increase the likelihood that we'll feature your listing:
<ul>
<li>Write a great piece of software</li>
<li>
Make sure your listing looks really nice (nice icon, good
descriptions,
crisp screenshots and/or videos)
</li>
<li>Promote your listing independently so that it starts to rise in the
rankings
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-26">How can my app or extension be selected for a
collection?</h5>
<p>
The collections are curated, and are not intended to be comprehensive.
There are no
specific criteria for being featured or put in a collection, although
there are
published <a href="best_practices.html">best practices</a>
and <a
href="https://developers.google.com/chrome/apps/articles/thinking_in_web_apps">general
guidelines</a> that
we believe help make high quality listings.
Solicitations to be placed in a collection are not accepted.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-27">How can I provide support for users of my app or
extension?</h5>
<p>
You can set up discussion groups to communicate with your users. One way
of doing so
is through <a href="http://groups.google.com" target="_blank">Google
Groups</a>.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-28">Can I remove comments from my listing if I believe they
are unfair?</h5>
<p>
No, you can't remove user comments. However, we encourage you to respond
to user
feedback in the comments to show that you are addressing their concerns.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-29">Is there a limit to the number of items I can have on
the Chrome Web Store??</h5>
<p>
You can upload as many items to the Chrome Web Store as you like, but by
default, you are limited to having a total of 20 published items at any
one time. This limit applies to the sum of your Chrome Apps, Chrome
Extensions, and Chrome Themes as a total - it is not 20 of each item. If
you reach this limit, <a href="https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/contact/developer_support">you may request a limit
increase</a>. The Chrome Web Store staff will review your existing items and
your developer account history, and if approved, you will be granted an
increase. Please note that if your developer account has been suspended
in the past, or you have had items taken down previously for policy
violations, or your items consistently receive low quality ratings, your
request may be denied.
</p>
</dl>
<p class="backtotop"><a href="#top">Back to top</a></p>
<h2 id="development"> Development </h2>
<dl>
<h5 id="faq-dev-01">How do I write an app or extension?</h5>
<p>
You can find all the information you need to develop extensions and apps
at
<a href="/extensions/">http://developer.chrome.com/extensions/</a> and
<a href="/apps/">http://developer.chrome.com/apps/</a>, respectively.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-04">What technologies can I use to build installable web
apps?</h5>
<p>Any web technology that works inside a browser is a candidate for
building web apps. Most web apps will be built with HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript. However, developers are free to use other technologies such
as Flash or Silverlight (dependent on browser support and installed
plugins, of course).
<h5 id="faq-gen-10">Should I build a web app or an extension?</h5>
<p>Extensions are primarily used to extend functionality of the user's
browser. For instance, extensions are commonly used to interact with the
pages that a user views, add custom context menus, or manipulate tabs
and
windows. Web apps, on the other hand, are applications in their own
right
and rarely need to extend browser functionality. For more information,
see
<a href="choosing.html">Choosing an App Type</a>.</p>
<h5 id="faq-dev-02">How can I push an update of my code to my users?</h5>
<p>
Visit <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard"
target="_blank">https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard</a>
and click <strong>Edit</strong> on the listing you wish to update. Once
you
upload a new version and click <strong>Publish</strong>, your update
will
automatically be pushed out to users over the next few hours.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-dev-03">Can I host my own app or extension?</h5>
<p>
Yes, you may host your own app or extension, although you will need to
take care
of <a href="http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/packaging.html"
target="_blank">packaging</a>,
<a href="http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/hosting.html"
target="_blank">hosting</a>, and serving the
<a href="http://code.google.com/chrome/extensions/autoupdate.html"
target="_blank">auto-update manifest</a> yourself.
</p>
</dl>
<p class="backtotop"><a href="#top">Back to top</a></p>
<h2 id="listing"> Creating a listing </h2>
<dl>
<h5 id="faq-listing-01">In what format should I upload my code?</h5>
<p>
To upload an item to the gallery, submit a ZIP file containing the files
used in
your app, theme, or extension. Do not upload a .crx file; the submission
will fail.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-02">How long will it take for my listing to appear in
the store?</h5>
<p>
Most listings will appear in the store immediately after being
published. If your
app or extension doesn't appear after it's uploaded, make sure you've
clicked the
<strong>Publish</strong> link.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-03">How can I remove my listing from the store?</h5>
<p>
Visit <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard"
target="_blank">https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard</a>
and click <strong>Unpublish</strong>. Your listing will no longer be
visible in the store.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-04">What are the screenshot and text requirements for
the store?</h5>
<p>
See <a href="images.html">Supplying Images</a> for guidelines on
supplying
images for the store. Some other best practices to consider:
<ul>
<li>Write a catchy title, a clear and descriptive short description, and
a
detailed long description.
</li>
<li>Create screenshots that demonstrate how your app or extension
works.
</li>
<li>Upload a screencast, such as a YouTube video or a Google Docs
Presentation,
to demonstrate how your app or extension works.
</li>
<li>Post a support link so that users don't clutter your comments thread
with bug reports.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-05">How can I import an existing app or extension into
the store?</h5>
<p>
You may import an app or extension with a pre-existing key into the
store (see
<a href="http://groups.google.com/group/chromium-extensions/browse_thread/thread/defbf282d11a8cc4/a2d1aedb84bc60b9"
target="_blank">instructions</a>).
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-06">How can I export an app or extension from the
store?</h5>
<p>
Currently we do not support exporting a listing's sources or private key
from the store.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-07">Why did I receive a "Cannot parse the manifest"
error when uploading my app or extension?</h5>
<p>
The manifest file needs to be in JSON format. Most likely, you've
included a
comment in the manifest file that is not recognized by the gallery's
JSON
parser. Try removing any comments from the manifest file and try
re-uploading.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-15">I've verified my domain, and I have a wildcard app URL
like *://example.com, but the Chrome Web Store is still asking me to
verify my domain. What gives?</h5>
<p>If you use a wildcard like *://example.com, make sure you have verified
both http://example.com and https://example.com.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-16">When I try to upload my app to the Chrome Web Store, I
get this error: "(Server rejected) An error occurred: please try again
later." What gives?</h5>
<p>This error occasionally occurs if you've been logged into the Chrome Web
Store for a long time. If you sign out of your Google Account and then
sign back in, you should be able to upload your app.</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-18">Can I control the regions where my app is listed?</h5>
<p>Yes, you can select which regions your application appears in. This might
be because your app is only applicable to the local market, or you might
have specific obligations that mean you can only make your app available
in certain regions.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-19">How do I localize my listing in the store?</h5>
<p>There are two points where you need to localize your app for listing in a
region that isn't your home market.
<ol>
<li> Your app package. See <a href="i18n.html">Internationalizing Your
App</a> for information on localizing your app's presence inside
Chrome.
</li>
<li> Your detailed listing. The developer dashboard now includes the
ability for you to select all the regions that you want your
application to appear in, allows you to localize the detailed
description, price points relative to the market you are in, and
screenshots.
</li>
</ol>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-20">How do I localize my detailed description?</h5>
<p>You first need to <a href="i18n.html">internationalize</a> your app and
specify a "default_locale" attribute in your manifest. Once you upload
your internationalized app, a selection box will appear at the top of
your app listing, allowing you to switch between languages that you
support and change the detailed description.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-gen-21">How do I show different screenshot images per
region?</h5>
<p>Visit your app page in the <a
href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard">Chrome
Web Store Developer Dashboard</a>, change the currently selected
language to your desired choice (for example "en-GB") and upload a
screenshot as normal. Once the image is uploaded you will be presented
with an option to "Show this item in <strong>all</strong> locales" or
"Show this item <strong>only</strong> in the 'en-GB' locale". Select the
later to show the screenshot to only users of the "en-GB" Chrome Web
Store.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-08">My item’s status says "pending review." What does
this mean?</h5>
<p>Pending review means our automated systems have flagged your item for manual review.
Some of the reasons an item could be flagged for manual review include:
<ul>
<li>The item may have an NPAPI plugin, which requires a signed
agreement from you. Check your email account associated with the
item for an agreement notification from our abuse team.
</li>
<li>
The item is suspected to contain
or to be distributed by malware or unwanted software.
</li>
<li>
The item is suspected to violate one of the developer program policies.
</li>
<li>The item may have already been previously removed for a legal or
policy violation, and has been resubmitted.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
</p>
Note that both new item submissions as well as updates to existing items are subject
to automated system checks and may be flagged for manual review.
Unfortunately, it’s hard for us to provide guidance on how long manual reviews will take,
as it depends on the nature of the issue.
For specific questions or concerns, please fill out our developer support
<a href="https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/contact/developer_support/?hl=en">contact form</a>.
<p>
<p>
For more information about the unwanted software policy, see:
<a href="https://www.google.com/about/company/unwanted-software-policy.html">https://www.google.com/about/company/unwanted-software-policy.html</a>.
</p>
<p>
For more information about the developer program policies, see:
<a href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/program_policies">https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/program_policies</a>.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-09">Why isn’t my app showing up on search?</h5>
<p>It depends. There are several reasons why your item may not be showing
up in search.
<ul>
<li>You just published your app. It might take a few hours before
we index it.
</li>
<li>Your app manifest is version 1. We have upgraded to manifest version
2, therefore all manifest v1 apps are unlisted. Please upgrade your
item to manifest v2. See more details <a
href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/manifestVersion">here</a>.
</li>
<li>Your app contains an NPAPI. All apps containing NPAPI are now unlisted.
For more details around our NPAPI deprecation timelines, see our blog post
<a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2013/09/saying-goodbye-to-our-old-friend-npapi.html">here</a>.
</li>
<li>Your app is a Google Application Marketplace app. All Google Application
Marketplace apps will only be visible on the corresponding management page
for Google Application Marketplace, not on chrome.google.com/webstore.
</li>
<li>Your app is not listed in the region you are searching in.
See more details <a
href="https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/answer/1254182?hl=en&ref_topic=1734051">here</a>.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-10">My app has been removed from the Chrome Web Store. What
should I do?</h5>
<p>Application removals count as strikes against the good standing of your
developer account. Multiple or egregious policy violations may result in
termination of your developer account.
<ul>
<li>For all policy violation app removals, you will receive a removal
notification email with more details in the developer account listed as
the owner of the app. Please make the appropriate changes so your app
complies with all <a
href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/program_policies">Developer
Program Policies</a>,
<a href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/branding">Branding Guidelines</a> and
<a href="https://developer.chrome.com/webstore/terms">Terms of Services</a>.
Once you have remedied the violation you can resubmit via your developer dashboard.
</li>
<li>Please do not re-publish a removed application until the policy violation
has been remedied. If you have additional questions or feel your item was wrongly
removed, you can reply directly to the removal email and appeal.
</li>
<li>If you believe your developer account was wrongly terminated, you can appeal
<a href="https://support.google.com/chrome_webstore/contact/cws_dev_appeals">here</a>.
We will only reinstate accounts if an error was made, and a re-review finds that your
account does not violate the developer terms.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-listing-11">How do I link my Play and Chrome Web Store item so that the "Available for
Android" link appears on my item detail page?</h5>
<p>We regularly run a script that looks for exact matches between the item name and the developer email address
in Play and CWS. If there is an exact match, the "Available for Android" link will automatically show up on your
item detail page the next time the script runs. At this point, there is no way to enter the information into your
listing.</p>
</dl>
<p class="backtotop"><a href="#top">Back to top</a></p>
<h2 id="payments"> Payments and license server </h2>
<dl>
<h5 id="faq-payments-01">What technologies does the Chrome Web Store
Payments system use?</h5>
<p>
The Chrome Web Store Payments system uses
<a href="//developers.google.com/wallet/digital/docs/">
Google Wallet for Digital Goods
</a>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-02">How can I verify that a user has paid for my
app?</h5>
<p>You can use the <a href="check_for_payment.html">Chrome Web Store
Licensing API</a>.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-03">What technologies are used to take payments?</h5>
<p>
<ul>
<li>
If you want to use the integrated experience available from
the Chrome Web Store, then the Google Wallet for Digital Goods
system will be used.
</li>
<li>
Alternatively, you are free to integrate with any third party
payment processor. Note however that these payments will not be
integrated with the store experience.
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-04">I already have a credit card merchant account. Do I
really have to use Google Wallet for Digital Goods?</h5>
<p>No, not to be listed in the store. Google Wallet for Digital Goods is
used to provide an intuitive, integrated experience for users of the
Chrome Web Store. You are free to use a third party payment
processor.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-05">I already use Paypal. Do I have to use Google
Wallet for Digital Goods?</h5>
<p>No, not to be listed in the store. Google Wallet for Digital Goods is
used to provide an intuitive, integrated experience for users of the
Chrome Web Store. However, you may list your app in the store and use
any payment processor.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-06">Does the Chrome Web Store have a preferred way to
do in-app payments?</h5>
<p>We recommend the <a
href="https://developers.google.com/commerce/wallet/digital/">Google
In-App Payments API for the Web</a>, but you are free to use any in-app
purchase system.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-07">Is the Chrome Web Store Licensing API final?</h5>
<p>The API is mostly final, but we might add a few fields in a
backward-compatible way.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-08">How does the Licensing API use OAuth?</h5>
<p>Your app (the "Consumer" in OAuth terms) needs an OAuth access token so
that it can use the Licensing API (the Service Provider). You (the User)
can ask the Chrome Developer Dashboard to give you an access token for
each app that you upload. When the dashboard generates this access token
on your behalf, it uses "anonymous" for both the consumer key and
secret. If you want to use your own consumer key and secret, you can use
an OAuth tool such as the <a
href="http://googlecodesamples.com/oauth_playground/">OAuth
Playground</a> to get the access token.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-09">Does the free trial option provide time-limited
trials?</h5>
<p>
Yes, you can provide a time or feature limited trial of your
application.
See the section on
<a href="https://developers.google.com/chrome/web-store/docs/payments-otp#verifying-payment">
verifying payment and offering free trial
</a>.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-10">Can a Chrome Web Store app be both paid and free
trial?</h5>
<p>Yes, you can mark your web app as both paid and free trial.</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-11">I'm not based in the US, can I still sell my app or
extension?</h5>
<p>Yes, if you are in a <a href="pricing.html#seller">supported region</a>,
you'll be able to sell apps and extensions.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-12">I am a developer in region X, will I be able to
sell my
app in region Y?</h5>
<p>Yes. As long as you are a merchant in one of the listed <a
href="pricing.html#seller">regions</a> you will be able to sell your
app
in the store to any user who is in a Google Checkout buyer supported
region.
If you're in an unsupported region, you can use a custom payment
solution to
sell your app.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-13">Great, I can sell my app in many regions. How do I
manage the pricing across all these currencies?</h5>
<p>You may have noticed that apps are placed into a tier for pricing. This
allows us to select the most competitive price point for each currency,
based on a variety of local factors.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-14">If pricing is set in tiers, does that mean I am
locked
in to the same tier across all the regions I sell my app in?</h5>
<p>No. This is the really great part of the system: you can choose a price
point
for all the regions you want to sell in. You have a local competitor in
your
region? Not a problem, you can price your app to be competitive in that
market. Simply edit your app in the Chrome Web Store <a
href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard">Developer
Dashboard</a>, select the regions that you want to list your app in
and
the appropriate price tier.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-15">Is there a big table that will tell me what I will
receive from each region with the fees included?</h5>
<p>Yes. We have a useful <a href="pricing.html#matrix">price matrix</a> for
you
to use.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-payments-16">If I list in all these regions, when and how do I
get
paid?</h5>
<p>You get paid monthly, in your own currency. When an app is purchased the
revenue minus the fees will be converted into your own currency.
</p>
</dl>
<p class="backtotop"><a href="#top">Back to top</a></p>
<h2 id="apps"> Installable web apps </h2>
<dl>
<h5 id="faq-app-01">What is the difference between packaged apps and hosted
apps?</h5>
<p>Hosted apps operate as traditional web apps (served via web servers and
running inside of web browsers) and do not have access to the extended
Chrome APIs that extensions can use. Packaged apps are bundled into the
<code>.crx</code> file and can use the extensions APIs.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-02">Can I sell a packaged app?</h5>
<p>Yes, but there are risks in doing so. Specifically, it is easy for
motivated people to bypass payments for packaged apps. This holds true
even if you have used our Licensing API in your locally stored packaged
app, since locally stored content is not secure and can be modified
(including calls to the Licensing API). If you’d like to have the option
of blocking access to your app by unauthorized users, selling a packaged
app may not be the right solution for you. An alternative to consider is
moving to a hosted app model with a server-side licensing check. </p>
<h5 id="faq-app-02.5">Why do you allow developers the option of paid
packaged apps?</h5>
<p>There are good reasons to offer a paid packaged app, even with the <a
href="#faq-app-02">limitations explained above</a>. Packaged apps
let you easily provide functionality to your users without the overhead
of managing a hosted service. Charging for a packaged app is a quick and
simple way to enable a low-friction transaction if the app provides
clear user value. However, it is up to the developer to decide which
solution is right for him or her.
</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-03">Can installable web apps have page actions?</h5>
<p>No. Although packaged apps get most of the functionality of extensions,
they can't have page actions.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-04">Can installable web apps have browser actions?</h5>
<p>No. Although packaged apps get most of the functionality of extensions,
they can't have browser actions.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-05">Can I use Google AdSense in my Chrome product?</h5>
<p>According to the Google AdSense <a href="https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/48182?hl=en&ref_topic=1261918">program policies</a>, Chrome-integrated websites ('hosted apps') may use AdSense; Chrome apps ('packaged apps'), extensions, and themes may not.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-06">Can I use Google Analytics?</h5>
<p>Yes. Packaged apps and extensions can use the <a
href="/apps/analytics.html">Chrome Platform Analytics</a>
library. Hosted apps can use one of the Google Analytics libraries for
standard websites (e.g.,
<a href="https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/">analytics.js</a>).
</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-07">What is the size limit for apps in the store?</h5>
<p>The <code>.crx</code> file is currently limited to 2GB.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-08">I have a free Flash game, can I host it in the
store?</h5>
<p>Yes. If you want to host it on your server, it is exactly the same as
hosting a Flash file on your site. If you create a packaged app, you
must include the complete app (with Flash file) in your ZIP file.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-09">I have a Flash game that I would love to be able to take
payments for, how can I do it?</h5>
<p>Flash games are hosted inside a web page, this means that the payment
infrastructure can be handled on the server that hosts the container
page. Using the Licensing API makes it easy to determine if a user has
paid or not.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-10">Do installable web apps run from the desktop, installed
as separate apps, or otherwise operate independently of the
browser?</h5>
<p>No, Chrome Web Store apps are just web apps written with traditional web
technologies, and are run via the browser.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-11">What is actually installed by an installable web
app?</h5>
<p>Only the <code>.crx</code> package is actually installed into the
browser; any contents not bundled into the <code>.crx</code> package
will continue to be served by web servers. Installable web apps are not
installed into the base operating system, desktop, or outside of the
browser.</p>
<h5 id="faq-app-12">Do Chrome Web Store apps work in browsers other than
Chrome?</h5>
<p>Hosted apps are built with standard and common web technologies, and