Google Play Setup

Prerequisites

Before setting up the app on Google Play complete the below prerequisites on Raven.

  1. Deploy a web app to production.

  2. Deploy an Android Test Build on Raven.

  3. Download Data Saftey Import CSV for the app in Raven under the Policy & Content section.

  4. Complete all App Preview and Listing Information.

Google Play Console Setup

In order make use of the Google Play Console API, you will need to manually setup the following requirements on Google Play Console.

  1. Declare App Content

  2. Setup Store Listing

  3. Store Settings

  4. Setup Locations

  5. Create a Closed Testing Track

Create App

Sign in to Google Play Console and select Create App. In the next screen, enter the app name and choose en-GB as the default language. Complete the other details and then select Create App.

Declare App Content

Navigate to App Content on the left-hand side menu and complete the following:

  1. Set privacy policy. Copy the EULA link for the app from Raven under the Policy & Content section.

  2. Ads. Declare if the app contains ads, this should be "No, my app does not contain ads".

  3. App Access. Choose "All or some functionality in my app is restricted" and then select +Add Instructions. Enter the review account details (email, password) and choose "No other information is required to access my app" near the bottom. Finally, select Add.

  4. Content Ratings. For the email, you can use your email address. Answer the content rating questionnaire. If you need a guide on how to answer see the table below this page.

  5. Target audience. For most apps, you should choose "18 and over". If you are choosing a different target audience, make sure the app operating account understands the following: "It shall be your responsibility to ensure any User requiring the consent of parent/guardian in terms of their jurisdiction, must obtain the agreement and acceptance of a person with parental authority."

  6. News App. Declare if the app is a news app, Choose "No".

  7. Data Safety. Select Import From CSV and upload the Data Safety CSV for the app found in Raven under the Policy & Content section. Once uploaded, select Import, then continuously select Next and finally Save.

  8. Advertising ID. Choose "Yes" and then choose "App Functionality"

  9. Government apps. Declare if the app is made on behalf of a government. Select No unless the app owner account is a government.

  10. Financial features. Choose "My app doesn't provide any financial features".

  11. Health. Answer the health questionnaire if the content published to the app deals with any of the listed topics. If the app has no health content simply choose "My app does not have any health features". https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/14738291

Main Store Listing

For store listing you have two choices. You can either set up with dummy content and vanilla assets OR use actual content and assets for the app. What you decide won't matter as when you deploy from Raven content and assets will be overwritten/updated. For the store listing setup you only need to:

  1. App Icon

  2. Short Description

  3. Full Description

  4. Feature Graphic

  5. 2 Phone Screenshots

Store Settings

Navigate to Store Settings in the left-hand menu and complete:

  1. App Category. Set the Category and optionally set Tags by selecting Edit under the App Category Section.

  2. Store listing contact details. Set the email and optional set the website by selecting Edit under the Store listing contact details section.

Locations

Google Play Console does not provide an API endpoint to manage locations so you will need to manually manage these:

  1. Navigate to Production

  2. Select the Countries/Regions

  3. Choose the countries and regions

If the region or country is not listed, select "Rest of the World". This is a catch-all for regions or countries not listed.

Closed Testing

Navigate to Closed Testing in the left-hand menu and then select Manage Track:

  1. Select Testers. Select the Testers tab and create or select a test list. Your test list can just be your own email.

  2. Create Release. Select the Releases tab and select Create Release

  3. Choose Signing Key. In the next screen select "Choose Signing Key" under App Bundles then select "Use Google-Generated".

  4. Upload AAB. Upload your Test Build AAB file from Raven and leave the Release Notes and Version blank. Select Next.

  5. Select Save

Submit Changes & Deploy Preview/Production

Navigate to publishing overview and select Send Changes for Review. Immediately after this step you can deploy a Preview/Production release from Raven:

  1. Send Changes for Review on Google Play Console

  2. Deploy a Production/Preview Release from Raven

Content Rating Guide

When answering the questionnaire you will need to answer based on the configuration of the app and the type of content that would be published.

The table below is answers given for an app that contains no ratings-based content but has forum/chat enabled. With content, just remember to choose Yes if the content is likely to be true for the questions.

Downloaded

Does the app contain any ratings-relevant content (e.g., sex, violence, language) downloaded as part of the app package (code, assets)?

NO

User Content Sharing

Does the app natively allow users to interact or exchange content with other users through voice communication, text, or sharing images or audio?

YES

Is shared, user-generated content the primary source of content in the app?

NO

Does the app permit the public sharing of nudity?

NO

Does the app permit the public sharing of real-world, graphic violence outside of a newsworthy context?

NO

Does the app include the ability to block users or user-generated content?

YES

Can interactions in the app be limited to invited friends only?

YES

Does the app include chat moderation?

YES

Online Content

Does the app feature or promote content that isn't part of the initial app download, but can be accessed from the app? Examples of this type of content are movies in the Netflix app, product listings in the Amazon Shopping app, songs in the Spotify app, or news articles in the New York Times app.

YES

Violence. Can the app contain violent material? Content that sellers create as part of the app catalog needs to be considered; however, this question does not refer to user-generated content (e.g., comments and reviews).

NO

Sexuality. Can the app contain sexual material or nudity (except in a natural or scientific setting)? Content that sellers create as part of the app catalog needs to be considered; however, this question does not refer to user-generated content (e.g., comments and reviews).

NO

Language. Can the app contain any potentially offensive language? Please note that this does not refer to user-generated content.

NO

Controlled Substance. Can the app contain references to or depictions of illegal or recreational drugs? Content that sellers create as part of the app catalog needs to be considered; however, this question does not refer to user-generated content (e.g., comments and reviews).

NO

Promotion or Sale of Age-Restricted. Products or Activities Does the app focus on promoting or selling items or activities that are typically age-restricted such as cigarettes, alcohol, firearms, or gambling?

NO

Miscellaneous

Does the app share the user's current and precise physical location with other users?

NO

Does the app allow users to purchase digital goods?

NO

Is the app a web browser or search engine?

NO

Is the app primarily a news or educational product?

YES

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