My AR application developed in Unity has been removed from the Google Play store after 6 months because it apparently violates the YouTube API. I do not use the YouTube API anywhere in my application, I am unsure where I have violated the terms of use.
You may check on this link for the possible reasons why your app has been removed. You might be also displaying banner ad while playing video. This violates their YouTube policy.
Here are some links which might help:
My app got rejected from google play due to some issue with network policy?
App removed from Google Play because of Youtube API problems
How to fix the Device and Network abuse policy issue in Google play store app submission
Related
Background
I have an app that's available on the web, iOS and Android.
I’m using CapacitorJS, Angular and Firebase as main tech stack. By using Capacitor I have a single codebase for all 3 platforms.
How Capacitor works on iOS and Android is that it takes your web-projects dist-folder and wraps it in a native WebView. Sort of like how Ionic works. And this is what makes showing ads tricky.
Problem/Question
I would like to use one single ad provider across all 3 platforms. From my understanding AdSense is only to be used on websites while AdMob is used on mobile apps.
BUT, my whole app is web based, even the ios/android app is just the website shown in a webview. Doesn't this mean I could use AdSense even in my mobile apps, or are there any restrictions I'm unaware of?
How would you handle my scenario? What options do I have? I appreciate any suggestions or insights.
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/48182?hl=en&ref_topic=9756841#zippy=%2Cview-full-ad-placement-policies
Google ads, search boxes or search results may not be:
Integrated into a software application (does not apply to AdMob) of any kind, including toolbars.
So to answer your question adsense cannot be used in any software application ( does not apply to Admob). So you can use it in native android and ios app.
Also refer to https://support.google.com/admob/answer/48182?hl=en ( Refer Technical requirements section ) You need to check what type of adsense ads you are using within the app.
WebView
AdSense for content (AFC) and Ad Exchange (AdX) display ads are not supported through all WebView technologies.
App developers wishing to monetize by publishing AFC and AdX display ads through a WebView must use one of the following supported viewing frames:
Android: Chrome Custom Tab
iOS: SFSafariViewController (iOS9 and iOS10 only)
Google AdMob and AdX in-app ads may be shown in an app next to a WebView so long as the Google Mobile Ads SDK is in use and the publisher is compliant with all other AdSense program policies.
Using a third party website within your android app also requires permission from website owner. So you might be asked to present the proof of ownership or your app might be removed from play store. Refer to admob policy for using website within your app.
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/2753860#Exceptions_AdSense&zippy=%2Cview-exceptions%2Cview-ad-placement-policies
Displaying a third party site in your app
When an app displays someone else's site within a frame, this is considered framing content. Publishers are not permitted to frame third party content and monetize it without permission from the owners of that content.
If a publisher owns the content, it can be framed in their app and monetized. However, if the framed content is already being monetized by Google Ads, the framed content should not contain any additional code for AdSense or AdMob inside the version on the mobile app.
Apple is strict on approving apps which are mimicking a website so chances of rejecting on apple are high ( not related to advertisement ) https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#design
4.2 Minimum Functionality
Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website. If your app is not particularly useful, unique, or “app-like,” it doesn’t belong on the App Store. If your App doesn’t provide some sort of lasting entertainment value, it may not be accepted. Apps that are simply a song or movie should be submitted to the iTunes Store. Apps that are simply a book or game guide should be submitted to the Apple Books Store.
Displaying ads within webview doesn't give native experience to end user. So technically you are not violating any rules ( as long admob other policies are followed ). Its recommended to implement native Ads for rich UI experience
My App got reject from Apple Review stating this (AUG/2020)
I'm using the youtube data api v3 to get the popular videos by
country and display as a list in the app (App built using Flutter &
include other content tabs too). each list item displaying only the
title, description, thumbnail image and upload date. when click on
list item to stream the video I launch in youtube app. (no steaming
in my app). but apple reject my app stating "Guideline 5.2.3"
Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal
5.2.3 Audio/Video Downloading: Apps should not facilitate illegal file sharing or include the ability to save, convert, or download media
from third-party sources (e.g. Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud,
Vimeo, etc.) without explicit authorization from those sources.
Streaming of audio/video content may also violate Terms of Use, so be
sure to check before your app accesses those services. Documentation
must be provided upon request.
Next Steps
To resolve this issue, please attach documentary evidence in the App
Review Information section in App Store Connect evidencing that you
have all necessary rights or permissions to the third-party audio or
video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services in your app.
I'm not sure which document to upload to pass the apple review or how to resolve this issue.
also In my app i'm not streaming any videos, only redirecting to youtube app. I'm not sure it's violate Terms of Use,
Thanks.
check this on apple developer forum
I found this https://developers.google.com/youtube/terms/developer-policies-guide article and in this article I found that it is possible to apply for an API Compliance Audit via this form https://support.google.com/youtube/contact/yt_api_form. Then the result of this audit can be attached to App Review Information section in order to provide confirmation for Apple that app doesn't violate Terms of Use.
I've been reading the documentation about google api services and it doesn't seem clear to me if I'm allowed to use flutter packages like youtube_player_flutter to display youtube videos in a flutter mobile app. I'm talking about a mobile app that you would distribute on google play or the app store.
I've made an app that only searches for and plays YouTube videos. It doesn't download any video/audio. My app just got rejected from Apple. This is the rejection message:
Jul 11, 2020 at 5:20 AM From Apple
5. 2.3 Legal: Intellectual Property - Audio/Video Downloading Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal
Your app contains content or features that may violate the rights of
one or more third parties. Specifically, your app provides potentially
unauthorized access to third-party audio or video streaming, catalogs,
and discovery services.
Your app and its contents should not infringe upon the rights of
another party. In the event your app infringes another party’s rights,
you are responsible for any liability to Apple because of a claim.
Next Steps
To resolve this issue, please attach documentary evidence in the App
Review Information section in App Store Connect evidencing that you
have all necessary rights or permissions to the third-party audio or
video streaming, catalogs, and discovery services in your app.
In accordance with section 3.2(f) of the Apple Developer Program
License Agreement, you acknowledge that submitting falsified or
fraudulent documentation can result in the termination of your Apple
Developer Program account and the removal of your apps from the App
Store. Once Legal has reviewed your documentation and confirms its
validity, we will proceed with the review of your app.
Resources
Review Guideline 5.2 Intellectual Property for more information about appropriate uses of third-party content and services on the App
Store
Review App Store Connect Help for more information on including notes in the App Review Information section of App Store Connect
Please see attached screenshot for details.
You can use youtube videos for only view purpose, can't download youtube videos in flutter app, otherwise google or apple reject your app.
it's not accepted by app store your application will get rejected
I just developed a new game (called Ktalu: Planet of Terror) in iOS using COCOS2D. The game itself is done but I have to finalize a couple of things, one being the following. This game allows users to post their high scores on Facebook and/or Twitter, and everything works fine right now. The Facebook post shows up as expected and some of the text is linked to a URL of my choice. My question is what link should I use here? I can link to the website of the game (ktalu.com) but it is probably a better idea to link directly to the game in the App Store. This way, anyone who sees a post on Facebook when reading on an iPhone can click the link and be taken directly to App Store. But I am confused as to how to do this. The only link I have now is a link to the game in iTunes Connect. Remember, this game is not published yet. How can I get an App Store link for this game to put into Facebook posts and Tweets if the game is not yet in the App Store? And what exactly does this link look like? Is it http, https, or something else? And what happens if someone reads the post on a laptop or desktop and clicks that link?
The "View in App Store" link (Manage Apps, ) is exactly what you want. That URL will work once an app goes live, even if copied pre-launch because it doesn't change. When followed on a non-iOS computer, this link goes to the online store. When followed on iOS, this link goes to the App Store.
Protip: Use the URL scheme "itms://" instead of "http://" to link directly to your app in iTunes on the desktop/laptop. Both go directly to the App Store on iOS.
If you'd like to construct the URL yourself, follow my previous instructions:
In iTunes Connect you need to find the "Apple ID" for your app (it's a 9 digit number found in Manage Apps, Ktalu). Then simply find a link to any other app and replace the ID with yours.
For example, the Apple ID for Google Maps is 585027354 and its online URL is https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id585027354.
I am about to build an app that initially displays thumbnails of my Vimeo Video channel. When users click on a thumbnail, they will go through iOS's in-app payment system to pay for the video and once that is complete, the video will open and start playing in Quicktime( iphones native video player).
From my description of the app, do you see anything that may not be possible or may not be allowed by apple?
Do you think I can have half an hour videos on vimeo and display them on my app?
I would also like to include a section for magazines. What is the best way to display magazines? Just include a regaulr pdf document and let the iphone open it when clicked?
You have multiple questions. Playing a video is not difficult. To protect the contents, study DRM.
For magazine, there is a subscription model for in-app purchase. Users can renew their subscription automatically/ manually.
If you use the apple inapp purchase api, that part should be fine, if you go outside that then they will reject. In other words Apple wants their percentage on the purchase.
if the Vimeo channel is using http streaming protocols per apple guidelines, or is h264 progressive download, then again you should be fine. otherwise your ok over wi-fi but much more restricted over cellular .
This would be against our (Vimeo) Terms of Service unless you had a PRO account. Besides that, there is no API access to the external URLs yet, so that may impact what you had in mind. They will be available soon though.