Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
danfitdegree.hashnode.dev
Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
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Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#2Idk, maybe I just speak bot but it seems obvious from the wording that the app needs to split out its "report" button into "report content" and "report user". I don't think they need to do different things, but it will check the box of
> We confirm that your app has options to report and block abusive users but your app does not contain functionality to report objectionable content.
To be clear, I don't think this will actually make the Play bot go away and not keep coming back with bullshit, but it will trigger the bot to generate new bullshit which will almost feel like progress, if your soul has already been destroyed.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#3HN is the only useful escalation mechanism at this point, so have an upvote.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#4It's not clear from the screenshot that the "Report" button is reporting content rather than a user, especially when it's listed right under "Block user". (Also keep in mind the viewer of the image has no idea how you brought up that popup, like whether you tapped someone's name or their comment, so that context is missing.) I would just make that clear in the app + screenshot by calling it "Report post" or "Report comment" or something like that.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#5I think at least one thing worth a try is: make a tiny, relatively inconsequential change, and submit it again.
If you had a 93% success ratio before, you've got pretty good odds that you'll get a new reviewer on the next update and it'll be approved.
Maybe something like the copy change puffoflogic recommended. Just make any tiny change in the area, re-submit the app, and hope you get lucky with a better reviewer.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#6Idk, maybe I just speak bot but it seems obvious from the wording that the app needs to split out its "report" button into "report content" and "report user". I don't think they need to do different things, but it will check the box of > We confirm that your app has options to report and block abusive users but your app does not contain functionality to report objectionable content. To be clear, I don't think this wi…
That changeset needs to come with an easter egg that says "Fuck you Anthonyyyy!" if triggered.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#7As a little side project I wrote an Android app and went through similar turmoil—guess I can’t feel too bad for myself when the cofounder and lead developer of “~100” apps runs into similar issues. In this vein, I too wrote a similar story and it’s at https://medium.com/@mtc.dev/my-first-android-app-story-331c9....
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#8This whole app store thing with Apple/Google is BS. Imagine if your car could only drive to locations approved as safe by the car manufacturer, and they could auto-ban your Grandma's house with no recourse.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#9No post body was provided.
Re: Two weeks of dealing with Google as a developer
#10It'd be great if google offered an option for a video call with a reviewer for $500/hr as an escalation option for businesses who are getting nowhere with the regular process. Ideally you'd get a refund if you turned out to be correct, but I'd be happy even without that.