Microsoft has implemented a few new changes to the Windows Phone Marketplace and has offered a few tidbits of advice to Windows Phone app developers so they can avoid having their apps removed from the Marketplace.
Microsoft suggests doing a little bit of homework prior to submitting or updating an app to avoid unnecessary trademark/copyright violations, since the company will investigate and pull apps when complaints are valid. Also, pick a single category in the Marketplace when submitting your app, as Microsoft does not want developers submitting the same app to multiple categories. Microsoft also does not want the branding to dominate the tile and each tile should be unique if multiple apps are submitted. Microsoft will also be enforcing the five keyword rule for all current and future Marketplace apps and these keywords must be relevant to the app. If this rule is violated, all keywords will be removed.
“Specifically, we will be paying more attention to the icons, titles, and content of these apps and expect them to be more subtle and modest in the imagery and terms used. Apps that don’t fit our standard will need to be updated to remain in the store. This is about presenting the right content to the right customer and ensuring that apps meet our standards. We will also monitor customer reaction to apps and reserve the right to remove ones that our customers find offensive,” Microsoft adds. So there you go app devs! Follow these tips to avoid getting your Apps removed from the Marketplace.
