The Google Play strike removal programme allows certain developers who have had a suspension action taken against their app to take a training course and assessment related to the policy that their app violated, and potentially have the strike count against their account's standing waived.
About the programme
We know that many developers work hard to create and distribute their apps with good intentions, and may sometimes unknowingly violate policies. The aim of the programme is to help educate eligible developers, and to assess and increase their understanding of policy compliance.
Participating in the programme, completing the training course and passing the assessment will reduce the possibility of a developer’s account being terminated for multiple violations of the Google Play Developer Programme Policies and Developer Distribution Agreement.
Watch the video below to learn more about the programme.
Google Play Policy Strike Redemption programEligibility
Select developers who have a strike against their account may receive an option to participate in the programme. Suspensions count as strikes against the good standing of a developer’s Google Play Developer account. Multiple strikes can result in the termination of individual and related Google Play Developer accounts.
If you have a strike against your account and are eligible, you will receive an email to indicate that you can optionally participate in the Google Play strike removal programme to potentially have your strike count waived. Only the strike for which you received an email is eligible to be waived. Also, if you have any additional suspensions within 24 hours of your eligible strike, successfully completing the training course and assessment may waive the strike count on those apps too.
Notes:
- You can pause and resume the training course and assessment at any time; your progress will be saved. However, you must finish the training course and pass the assessment before the assessment expires. The assessment's expiry date is shown in the notification email you have received.
- Note: Anyone who can access the Google Play Developer account can take the training course and the assessment.
- The programme currently only covers strikes that relate to Google Play's spam and impersonation policies. However, we are gradually expanding the coverage. You may be notified in the future if your account/app is eligible.
- This programme is entirely optional for eligible developers. If you believe that your app was suspended in error, you may contact Google Play and file an appeal. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you can still participate in the programme to waive the strikes against the account.
Training course and assessment
If you are eligible and choose to participate in the programme, you will be directed to a training course relating to the policy that your app violated. As part of the course, you will be assessed on your understanding of the policy. You have three attempts to pass the assessment. You must complete the assessment before the expiry date included in the notification email.
Successfully completing this training course and passing the assessment will result in your app's strike count being waived (as long as your developer account is otherwise in good standing and is not terminated). It may take up to 48 hours for the strike count to be waived.
Note: Although taking this training course and assessment will reduce the possibility of your account being terminated in the future, you still need to follow the steps in the original enforcement email you received if you believe that the decision may have been in error.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to complete the training course and assessment in one sitting?No. Your progress will be saved if you exit the training course and assessment before completing them. However, you must complete the assessment before the expiry date included in the notification email you received.
In this case, you will still be able to complete the training course and assessment. However, it will have no effect on the status of your app because you were not invited to participate in the Strike Removal programme.
Yes. Anyone who can access the Google Play Developer account (whether the access level is account owner, admin or user) can complete the training course and assessment to potentially have the account's strike count waived.