Publishing to the Chrome Web Store requires navigating a complex set of policies designed to protect users. Understanding these policies before you build can save weeks of revision time. This guide covers the essential policies, common pitfalls, and strategies for approval.

The Policy Landscape

Chrome Web Store policies fall into several categories:

Content policies: What your extension can and cannot do
Privacy policies: How you handle user data
Technical policies: How your extension is built
Manifest policies: What you declare in manifest.json

Policy Updates: Google updates policies regularly. Subscribe to the Chrome Extensions documentation for announcements. Non-compliance with new policies can result in removal of previously approved extensions.

Essential Permission Guidelines

Request Minimum Permissions

Only request permissions your extension absolutely needs. The review team will scrutinize broad permissions.

High-Scrutiny Permissions:

<all_urls> or broad host permissions
tabs (especially with <all_urls>)
webRequest / webRequestBlocking
cookies
history
management

// Bad: Overly broad permissions
{
  "permissions": ["<all_urls>", "tabs", "cookies", "history"],
  "host_permissions": ["*://*/*"]
}

// Good: Minimal permissions
{
  "permissions": ["activeTab", "storage"],
  "host_permissions": ["https://specific-api.com/*"]
}

Use activeTab When Possible

activeTab is preferred over broad host permissions:

// With activeTab, you get temporary access to the current tab
// only when the user explicitly invokes your extension
chrome.action.onClicked.addListener(async (tab) => {
  // Access granted for this tab only
  await chrome.scripting.executeScript({
    target: { tabId: tab.id },
    func: () => {
      // Your code here
    }
  });
});

Justify All Permissions

Your store listing must explain why each permission is needed:

## Permissions Used

**activeTab**: Required to analyze the content of the current page when you click the extension icon.

**storage**: Saves your preferences and settings locally.

**identity**: Used for optional Google Sign-In to sync settings across devices.

Data Handling Requirements

Privacy Policy

A privacy policy is required if your extension:

Collects any user data
Uses remote servers
Includes analytics
Has any login or account features

Your privacy policy must include:

What data you collect
How you use the data
Whether you share data with third parties
How users can delete their data
Contact information

// Example Privacy Policy Structure

# Privacy Policy for [Extension Name]

## Data Collection
We collect the following data:
- Page URLs you explicitly choose to save (stored locally)
- Anonymous usage statistics (page views, feature usage)

## Data Usage
Saved URLs are stored locally on your device using Chrome's storage API.
Usage statistics help us improve the extension.

## Data Sharing
We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties.
Anonymous, aggregated usage data may be shared with analytics services.

## Data Deletion
You can delete all stored data by:
1. Going to extension options
2. Clicking "Clear All Data"
Or by uninstalling the extension.

## Contact
Email: privacy@yourextension.com

Limited Use Policy

If you request access to user data (browsing history, emails, etc.), you must comply with the Limited Use policy:

Only use data for the stated purpose
Don’t transfer data except for the primary purpose
Don’t use data for advertising
Don’t use data for creditworthiness or lending decisions

Single Purpose Policy

Your extension must have a single, clear purpose. Multi-function “Swiss army knife” extensions are often rejected.

Single Purpose Examples:

Good: "Block ads on web pages" (one purpose)
Good: "Save articles for later reading" (one purpose)
Bad: "Block ads, manage passwords, and download videos" (multiple purposes)

If you need multiple features, they should all support a single cohesive purpose:

Purpose: "Improve online shopping experience"
  - Feature 1: Price comparison
  - Feature 2: Coupon finder
  - Feature 3: Price history
  → All features support the single purpose

Code Quality Requirements

No Obfuscated Code

Your extension code must be readable. Minification is allowed, but obfuscation is not.

// Allowed: Minified code
function a(b,c){return b+c}const d=a(1,2);

// Not allowed: Obfuscated code
var _0x3f2a=['\x68\x65\x6c\x6c\x6f'];function _0x1b2c(){return _0x3f2a[0];}

If using bundlers, provide source maps or unminified source code during review if requested.

Remote Code Prohibition

Extensions cannot execute remotely hosted code. All JavaScript must be included in the extension package.

// Not allowed: Loading external scripts
const script = document.createElement('script');
script.src = 'https://example.com/code.js';
document.body.appendChild(script);

// Not allowed: eval with remote content
const code = await fetch('https://api.com/code');
eval(await code.text());

// Allowed: Remote data (not code)
const config = await fetch('https://api.com/config.json');
const settings = await config.json();
applySettings(settings);

User-Initiated Actions

Many operations require explicit user action:

// Good: User-initiated permission request
document.getElementById('enable-feature').addEventListener('click', async () => {
  const granted = await chrome.permissions.request({
    permissions: ['history']
  });
  if (granted) {
    enableHistoryFeature();
  }
});

// Bad: Auto-requesting on install
chrome.runtime.onInstalled.addListener(() => {
  chrome.permissions.request({ permissions: ['history'] }); // Will be rejected
});

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Misleading Functionality

Your extension must do what it claims. Don’t:

Overstate capabilities in the description
Use clickbait titles
Imply affiliation with other companies

2. Keyword Spam

Don’t stuff your listing with keywords:

// Bad
Photo Editor - Photo, Edit, Image, Picture, Filter, Enhance,
Retouch, Crop, Resize, Rotate, Free Photo Editor

// Good
Photo Editor - Quick edits for your browser
Easily crop, resize, and apply filters to images directly in Chrome.

3. Poor User Experience

Extensions that:

Inject unexpected ads
Change user settings without consent
Are difficult to uninstall
Slow down browsing significantly

Will be rejected or removed.

4. Insufficient Functionality

Extensions must provide real value. Very simple extensions might be rejected:

// Likely rejected: Too simple
chrome.action.onClicked.addListener(() => {
  alert('Hello!');
});

// Better: Provides actual value
chrome.action.onClicked.addListener(async (tab) => {
  const result = await chrome.scripting.executeScript({
    target: { tabId: tab.id },
    func: analyzePageReadability
  });
  showReadabilityReport(result);
});

Review Process Tips

Before Submission

Test thoroughly on multiple sites
Review your manifest for unnecessary permissions
Prepare justification for each permission
Complete your privacy policy
Take quality screenshots (1280x800 recommended)

During Review

Reviews typically take 1-3 business days. Factors affecting review time:

New developer accounts take longer
Broad permissions require deeper review
Holiday periods have longer queues

If Rejected

Read the rejection email carefully - it specifies the policy violation
Don’t argue - fix the issue and resubmit
Be specific in your appeal if you believe it’s an error
Use the one-appeal policy wisely - appeals are limited

Appeal Tips: If you believe your extension was incorrectly rejected, provide specific evidence. Reference the exact policy, explain why you believe you're compliant, and offer to make changes if needed.

Manifest V3 Requirements

As of 2024, new extensions must use Manifest V3:

{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "name": "My Extension",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "action": {
    "default_popup": "popup.html"
  },
  "background": {
    "service_worker": "background.js"
  },
  "content_security_policy": {
    "extension_pages": "script-src 'self'; object-src 'self'"
  }
}

Key MV3 changes:

Service workers instead of background pages
chrome.declarativeNetRequest instead of webRequestBlocking
No remote code execution
Stricter CSP defaults

Summary

Successful Chrome Web Store publishing requires understanding and respecting user privacy, requesting minimal permissions, and providing clear value. Build compliance into your development process rather than trying to fix issues after rejection.

Checklist before submission: