Google company about tightening the rules for placing add-ons in the Chrome Web Store catalog in order to with spam. Until August 27, developers must bring additions to compliance , otherwise they will be removed from the directory. It is noted that the catalog, which has more than 200 thousand add-ons, has become the object of attention of spammers and scammers who have begun to publish low-quality and misleading add-ons that do not perform useful actions, are imposed on users and are focused only on drawing attention to certain services or products.
In order to combat manipulations that interfere with the assessment of the essence of the add-on, such as camouflaging as well-known add-ons, providing false information about functionality, creating fake reviews, and cheating ratings, the following changes are introduced in the Chrome Web Store:
- Developers or their affiliates are prohibited from posting multiple add-ons that provide an identical
functionality (duplicate add-ons under different names). Examples of invalid add-ons include a wallpaper extension that contains a different description but sets the same background image as the other add-on. Or add-ons for converting formats that are offered under different names (for example, Fahrenheit to Celsius, Celsius to Fahrenheit), but direct the user to the same page for conversion. Placing test versions that are similar in functionality is allowed, but the description must clearly indicate that this is a test release and a link to the main version is given. - Add-ons must not include misleading, ill-formatted, rambling, irrelevant, excessive, or inappropriate metadata in fields such as description, developer name, title, screenshots, and linked images. Developers must provide a clear and understandable description. It is not allowed to mention reviews from non-advertised or anonymous users in the description.
- Developers are prohibited from attempting to manipulate an extension's position in the Chrome Web Store listings, including by inflating rankings, creating fake reviews, and inflating installs through scams or artificial incentivization of user activity. For example, it is forbidden to offer bonuses for installing an add-on.
- Add-ons whose sole purpose is to install or launch other applications, skins or web pages are not allowed.
- Add-ons that abuse the notification system to spam, display ads, promote products, phish, or display other unsolicited messages that interfere with the user's experience are prohibited. Add-ons that send messages on behalf of the user are also prohibited, without giving the user the opportunity to check the content and confirm recipients (for example, to block add-ons that send invitations to the user's address book).
Source: opennet.ru