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1 <h1>Extensions Quality Guidelines FAQ</h1> | 1 <h1>Extensions Quality Guidelines FAQ</h1> |
2 | 2 |
3 <h2 id="one">1.) What is the new policy?</h2> | 3 <h2 id="one">1.) What is the new policy?</h2> |
4 | 4 |
5 <p> | 5 <p> |
6 To maintain the quality of the Chrome user experience, | 6 To maintain the quality of the Chrome user experience, |
7 we recently launched a new policy requiring Chrome extensions | 7 we recently launched a new policy requiring Chrome extensions |
8 to have a single purpose. | 8 to have a single purpose. |
9 We are also introducing the new | 9 We are also introducing the new |
10 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/03/protecting-user-settings-on-windows.ht ml">Settings Override API</a> | 10 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/03/protecting-user-settings-on-windows.ht ml">Settings Override API</a> |
11 to allow extensions to manage important Chrome settings on Windows. | 11 to allow extensions to manage important Chrome settings on Windows. |
12 Beginning with the July release of Chrome, | 12 Beginning with the July release of Chrome, |
not at google - send to devlin
2015/05/13 18:23:27
You may want to say "July 2014" here?
mkearney1
2015/05/13 18:36:36
Done.
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13 the Settings Override API will be the only approved path | 13 the Settings Override API will be the only approved path |
14 for offering settings changes to Chrome users on Windows. | 14 for offering settings changes to Chrome users on Windows. |
15 In addition, starting with the May 20, 2014 release of Chrome, | 15 In addition, starting with the May 20, 2014 release of Chrome, |
16 we <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/02/make-sure-to-get-your-extension-in. html">have begun to require</a> | 16 we <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/02/make-sure-to-get-your-extension-in. html">have begun to require</a> |
17 that extensions in Chrome for Windows be hosted in the Chrome Web Store. | 17 that extensions in Chrome for Windows be hosted in the Chrome Web Store. |
18 Starting in Chrome M44 in July 2015, | |
not at google - send to devlin
2015/05/13 18:23:27
I think publicly we don't put the "M" prefix, it's
mkearney1
2015/05/13 18:36:36
Done.
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19 extensions in Mac are also required to be hosted in the Chrome Web Store. | |
18 </p> | 20 </p> |
19 | 21 |
20 <h2 id="two">2.) Why did Google launch a “single purpose” Chrome extensions poli cy?</h2> | 22 <h2 id="two">2.) Why did Google launch a “single purpose” Chrome extensions poli cy?</h2> |
21 | 23 |
22 <p>For an overview of the policy announcement, please read this | 24 <p>For an overview of the policy announcement, please read this |
23 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2013/12/keeping-chrome-extensions-simple.html" >Chromium blog post</a>.</p> | 25 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2013/12/keeping-chrome-extensions-simple.html" >Chromium blog post</a>.</p> |
24 | 26 |
25 <p>We launched this policy because | 27 <p>We launched this policy because |
26 multi-purpose extensions can crowd your browser UI | 28 multi-purpose extensions can crowd your browser UI |
27 and slow down your web browsing - sometimes significantly. | 29 and slow down your web browsing sometimes significantly. |
28 Speed and simplicity have always been part of Chrome's core principles, | 30 Speed and simplicity have always been part of Chrome's core principles, |
29 so this policy will help us get back to the design that was originally intended. | 31 so this policy will help us get back to the design that was originally intended. |
30 Also, unexpected changes to browser functionality and | 32 Also, unexpected changes to browser functionality and |
31 settings have become the number one user complaint for Chrome users, | 33 settings have become the number one user complaint for Chrome users, |
32 and this policy helps minimize the problem by ensuring | 34 and this policy helps minimize the problem by ensuring |
33 that users understand what extensions are doing. | 35 that users understand what extensions are doing. |
34 </p> | 36 </p> |
35 | 37 |
36 <h2 id="three">3.) Where can I find the “single purpose” policy?</h2> | 38 <h2 id="three">3.) Where can I find the “single purpose” policy?</h2> |
37 | 39 |
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68 If the extension is implemented in a single function, | 70 If the extension is implemented in a single function, |
69 then it can offer content or features related to different areas or subjects. | 71 then it can offer content or features related to different areas or subjects. |
70 For example, an extension that replaces the new tab page could offer | 72 For example, an extension that replaces the new tab page could offer |
71 multiple unrelated features on the new tab page | 73 multiple unrelated features on the new tab page |
72 (for example, weather forecast, news headlines, search engine, and so on), | 74 (for example, weather forecast, news headlines, search engine, and so on), |
73 but it can’t also provide a browser action button, | 75 but it can’t also provide a browser action button, |
74 change the browser’s homepage, or | 76 change the browser’s homepage, or |
75 make any other changes to browser functionality. | 77 make any other changes to browser functionality. |
76 </p> | 78 </p> |
77 | 79 |
80 <p> | |
81 Be conscious of your extension’s permissions. | |
82 We assume your extension utilizes each of the permissions it requests. | |
83 Excessive permissions unrelated to your extension’s single purpose will be viewe d | |
84 as enabling unrelated functionalities, resulting in a policy violation. | |
85 </p> | |
86 | |
78 <h2 id="five">5.) Will this policy affect my extension?</h2> | 87 <h2 id="five">5.) Will this policy affect my extension?</h2> |
79 | 88 |
80 <p> | 89 <p> |
81 It depends. | 90 It depends. |
82 Particularly if your extension offers multiple features, | 91 Particularly if your extension offers multiple features, |
83 please make sure that it has a single purpose. | 92 please make sure that it has a single purpose. |
84 Ask yourself these questions: | 93 Ask yourself these questions: |
85 </p> | 94 </p> |
86 | 95 |
87 <ul> | 96 <ul> |
88 <li>Does my extension have a narrow focus area | 97 <li>Does my extension have a narrow focus area |
89 or a narrow function as described above?</li> | 98 or a narrow function as described above?</li> |
90 <li>If my extension has a narrow focus area, | 99 <li>If my extension has a narrow focus area, |
91 are all of the features directly related to that single purpose?</li> | 100 are all of the features directly related to that single purpose?</li> |
92 <li>If my extension has multiple features, | 101 <li>If my extension has multiple features, |
93 does it only affect a narrow function of the browser?</li> | 102 does it only affect a narrow function of the browser?</li> |
94 <li>Does my extension modify Chrome’s behavior in a predictable way, | 103 <li>Does my extension modify Chrome’s behavior in a predictable way, |
95 in line with the extension's narrow, stated purpose?</li> | 104 in line with the extension's narrow, stated purpose?</li> |
105 <li>Does my extension request any unnecessary permissions?</li> | |
96 </ul> | 106 </ul> |
97 | 107 |
98 <p> | 108 <p> |
99 If you’re unsure, you can email | 109 If you’re unsure, you can email |
100 <a href="mailto:chromewebstore-policy@google.com">chromewebstore-policy@google.c om</a> | 110 <a href="mailto:chromewebstore-policy@google.com">chromewebstore-policy@google.c om</a> |
101 with your extension ID, | 111 with your extension ID, |
102 and we’ll take a look and try to provide feedback within a week. | 112 and we’ll take a look and try to provide feedback within a week. |
103 If your extension does not have a single purpose, | 113 If your extension does not have a single purpose, |
104 then you will need to remove functionality | 114 then you will need to remove functionality |
105 or split your extension into different extensions. | 115 or split your extension into different extensions. |
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218 Following the launch of the Settings Override API, | 228 Following the launch of the Settings Override API, |
219 only extensions can programmatically change these settings and | 229 only extensions can programmatically change these settings and |
220 only through the Settings Override API. | 230 only through the Settings Override API. |
221 But all changes to a user’s homepage, search provider or | 231 But all changes to a user’s homepage, search provider or |
222 startup pages made prior to the launch of the Settings Override API, | 232 startup pages made prior to the launch of the Settings Override API, |
223 including any that may have been made by Windows binaries, | 233 including any that may have been made by Windows binaries, |
224 will remain unchanged until the user manually updates those settings or | 234 will remain unchanged until the user manually updates those settings or |
225 installs an extension that uses the Settings Override API to change them. | 235 installs an extension that uses the Settings Override API to change them. |
226 </p> | 236 </p> |
227 | 237 |
228 <h2 id="twelve">12.) Is this new policy Windows-only?</h2> | 238 <h2 id="twelve">12.) Is this new policy only on some operating systems?</h2> |
229 | 239 |
230 <p> | 240 <p> |
231 The <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/hosting_changes">requiremen t</a> | 241 The <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/hosting_changes">requiremen t</a> |
232 that Chrome extensions be hosted in the Chrome Web Store | 242 that Chrome extensions be hosted in the Chrome Web Store |
233 initially applies only to Windows extensions. | 243 initially applies only to Windows and Mac extensions. |
234 Likewise, the new Settings Override API will initially be made available | 244 The new Settings Override API will initially be made available |
235 only on Chrome for Windows. | 245 only on Chrome for Windows. |
236 However, the single-purpose policy will apply to all Chrome extensions. | 246 However, the single-purpose policy will apply to all Chrome extensions. |
237 </p> | 247 </p> |
238 | 248 |
239 <h2 id="thirteen">13.) Does this policy apply to Chrome apps too?</h2> | 249 <h2 id="thirteen">13.) Does this policy apply to Chrome apps too?</h2> |
240 | 250 |
241 <p> | 251 <p> |
242 At this time, Chrome apps (as distinguished from extensions) | 252 At this time, Chrome apps (as distinguished from extensions) |
243 are not required to be distributed through the Chrome Web Store, | 253 are not required to be distributed through the Chrome Web Store, |
244 or to have a single purpose. | 254 or to have a single purpose. |
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276 Instead, consider using a | 286 Instead, consider using a |
277 <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/browserAction">browser action p opup</a>, | 287 <a href="https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/browserAction">browser action p opup</a>, |
278 which was designed to solve this very problem. | 288 which was designed to solve this very problem. |
279 It's a better user experience, with no performance or security downsides. | 289 It's a better user experience, with no performance or security downsides. |
280 </p> | 290 </p> |
281 | 291 |
282 <h2 id="sixteen">16.) What will happen to non-compliant extensions | 292 <h2 id="sixteen">16.) What will happen to non-compliant extensions |
283 that were already installed by users?</h2> | 293 that were already installed by users?</h2> |
284 | 294 |
285 <p> | 295 <p> |
286 All extensions will need to comply with the Extension Quality Guidelines. | 296 All extensions must comply with the Extension Quality Guidelines. |
287 If a user installed a non-compliant extension, | 297 If a user installed a non-compliant extension, |
288 then you will need to update them to a compliant extension | 298 then you will need to update them to a compliant extension |
289 that is hosted in the Chrome Web Store. | 299 that is hosted in the Chrome Web Store. |
290 If the user is not updated to a compliant extension | 300 If the user is not updated to a compliant extension |
291 that is hosted in the Chrome Web Store, | 301 that is hosted in the Chrome Web Store, |
292 then the extension will be automatically disabled. | 302 then the extension will be automatically disabled. |
293 As noted above, | 303 As noted above, |
294 any settings or behaviours controlled by the extension, | 304 any settings or behaviours controlled by the extension, |
295 including any settings controlled by the Settings Override API, | 305 including any settings controlled by the Settings Override API, |
296 will be reverted when the extension is disabled. | 306 will be reverted when the extension is disabled. |
297 You can find more information | 307 You can find more information |
298 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/02/make-sure-to-get-your-extension-in.htm l">here</a>. | 308 <a href="http://blog.chromium.org/2014/02/make-sure-to-get-your-extension-in.htm l">here</a>. |
299 </p> | 309 </p> |
300 | 310 |
301 <h2 id="seventeen">17.) If my extension is rejected from the Chrome Web Store | 311 <h2 id="seventeen">17.) If my extension is rejected from the Chrome Web Store |
302 because it doesn’t comply with the single purpose policy, | 312 because it doesn’t comply with the single purpose policy, |
303 what will happen after the requirement to host extensions | 313 what will happen after the requirement to host extensions |
304 in the Chrome Web Store comes into effect?</h2> | 314 in the Chrome Web Store comes into effect?</h2> |
305 | 315 |
306 <p> | 316 <p> |
307 If your extension is rejected from the Chrome Web Store, | 317 If your extension is rejected from the Chrome Web Store, |
308 you will need to make changes or appeal the decision. | 318 you will need to make changes or appeal the decision. |
309 After the requirement to host extensions | 319 After the requirement to host extensions |
310 in the Chrome Web Store comes into effect in late May 2014, | 320 in the Chrome Web Store comes into effect for Windows in late May 2014, |
311 your extension must be hosted in the Chrome Web Store or | 321 your extension must be hosted in the Chrome Web Store or |
312 it will be automatically disabled from the users’ browsers. | 322 it will be automatically disabled from the users’ browsers. |
323 The same will occur for Mac extensions that are not hosted | |
324 on the Chrome Web Store prior to the release of M44 in July 2015. | |
313 </p> | 325 </p> |
314 | 326 |
315 <h2 id="eighteen">18.) If my extension gets flagged for review under the single purpose policy, | 327 <h2 id="eighteen">18.) If my extension gets flagged for review under the single purpose policy, |
316 what will happen?</h2> | 328 what will happen?</h2> |
317 | 329 |
318 <p> | 330 <p> |
319 Our team will review it, | 331 Our team will review it, |
320 and it may be removed from the Chrome Web Store. | 332 and it may be removed from the Chrome Web Store. |
321 You’ll have a chance to make changes and appeal the decision. | 333 You’ll have a chance to make changes and appeal the decision. |
322 As noted above, | 334 As noted above, |
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375 A search extension. | 387 A search extension. |
376 It has multiple features, including this dropdown, | 388 It has multiple features, including this dropdown, |
377 but all of them are related to the narrow subject matter of search. | 389 but all of them are related to the narrow subject matter of search. |
378 </p> | 390 </p> |
379 | 391 |
380 <img src="{{static}}/images/extension2.png" | 392 <img src="{{static}}/images/extension2.png" |
381 width="680" | 393 width="680" |
382 height="425" | 394 height="425" |
383 alt="Image of search extension"> | 395 alt="Image of search extension"> |
384 | 396 |
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