Got a rejection or a policy email from the store?
Take a breath. These emails usually name the policy and the part of your extension it is about. Read that first, then check what you ask for against what similar extensions ask for.
The email is your best guide. The rest is context.
The table below shows which permissions are common among the most-used extensions, so one that stands out in yours is easy to spot. It does not tell you what the store will approve.
What the most-used extensions ask for
The most common permissions among the most-used extensions in the store, from the listings as they are today. Compare it with what yours asks for. A permission few others need is worth a second look.
| Permission | What it lets an extension do | How many ask | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to every website | Read and change data on every website | 586 of 1,000 | |
storageSave its own settings | Save its own settings | 850 of 1,000 | |
scriptingRun its code on pages it can access | Run its code on pages it can access | 510 of 1,000 | |
tabsSee the address and title of every open tab | See the address and title of every open tab | 505 of 1,000 | |
alarmsRun tasks on a schedule | Run tasks on a schedule | 335 of 1,000 | |
webRequestWatch the web traffic your browser sends | Watch the web traffic your browser sends | 305 of 1,000 | |
activeTabWork on the tab you click it on | Work on the tab you click it on | 277 of 1,000 | |
contextMenusAdd items to the right-click menu | Add items to the right-click menu | 268 of 1,000 | |
webNavigationFollow every page you open | Follow every page you open | 230 of 1,000 | |
unlimitedStorageStore large amounts of its own data | Store large amounts of its own data | 224 of 1,000 | |
cookiesRead and change site cookies, including logins | Read and change site cookies, including logins | 209 of 1,000 | |
declarativeNetRequestBlock or redirect requests with set rules | Block or redirect requests with set rules | 177 of 1,000 | |
offscreenRun hidden helper pages | Run hidden helper pages | 174 of 1,000 |
See it for your category
What to do next
Read the email closely
It names the policy and usually the item it is about. Google’s own pages, linked below, explain each policy.
See what your closest rivals changed
Paste your store link: up to two dated facts about your listing and its closest rivals, such as permissions one of them added lately.
Check your extensionCompare your permissions
Look for anything you ask for that few other extensions do, and remove what you no longer use.
See the tableExplain what you keep, then resubmit
In the developer dashboard, give a short, plain reason for each permission you keep.
Watch your listing once it is back
Your daily summary tells you if it disappears from the store or comes back, and when its permissions change.
See plans
Watch your extension and its rivals
Plus watches up to 25 extensions and emails you a daily summary of what changed. Free for 3 days, then $19/month. Cancel anytime before it ends and pay nothing.
What this page can’t tell you
- We don’t read your email or your developer dashboard.
- We don’t follow the store’s policy pages for changes.
- Ext Watch is independent and not affiliated with Google.