Implementing App Open Ads in a legacy AdMob Approval Status ready app and getting written up for Ad Fraud in the Play Store review process

[David Gross]

I have two questions regarding implementing App Open Ads (AOAs) for a so-called legacy "AdMob Approval Status: Ready" app that was pre-approved to create new ad units (i.e. I did not have to go through an approval process to get the Ready designator, it was already pre-approved). Reference: https://developers.google.com/admob/android/app-open

1. Is using Android Intents not allowed when using AOAs? Due to the possibility of the user overly going back-and-forth between the app with App Open Ads and the other intent (say the Google Maps official app) with say the back button or app switcher? I thought AOAs were designed for that scenario, essentially. Does that create a subpar user experience? If it does, I do not notice that in the implementation guide for AOAs. For instance, if I launch a Google Street View in the Google Maps app via an Android Intent from my app I developed, and my app uses AOAs, is that a policy violation due to a subpar user experience? Reference: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/urls/android-intents
2. I believe the Play Team may think the App Open Ad (AOA) I implemented, following the Github Kotlin example https://github.com/googleads/googleads-mobile-android-examples/tree/master/kotlin/admob/AppOpenExample  precisely plus an additional no ads for the first three loads to improve user-experience, is "interstitial ads outside of the app" and has rejected me for ad fraud, even though I appealed, and even though I used the same AOAs implementation to get 2 other apps approved in the past 2 weeks, albeit those other apps do not have Android Intents launchers embedded in them. I am kindly wondering if the Play Team is rejecting my app because they think my app is using Interstitial Ads, when really it is using AOAs, which visually look similar, and AOAs which are new and potentially undocumented on their side. Indeed, what is "ok" policywise for AOAs is not "ok" for Interstitial ads. Reference Disallowed Implementations App load or exit: https://support.google.com/admob/answer/6201362?hl=en&ref_topic=2936214  There is no Interstitial Ad unit in my app. The rejection and appeal denial emails I got from the Play Store said about my AOA implementation in bold, in addition to ""interstitial ads outside of the app"": "Ads should not appear after the user has exited the app, or after the user has pressed the back button to exit the app." "Interstitial ads may only be displayed inside of the app serving them. If your app displays interstitial ads or other ads that interfere with normal use, they must be easily dismissible without penalty." 

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I just want to get a handle on what is allowed, since the rejection emails I am getting are not very personalized to my specific situation, and I am unsure if the Play Store review team even basically knows about AOAs.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi David,

Thank you for reaching out to us. Let me do the best I can to answer your concerns on SDK perspective. Please see my responses below

For #1 - Using Android intent is technically permissible with regard to implementation. As per policy, we always recommend our publishers to follow what is stated on our HC guidance especially the ad placement. As long as your implementation is aligned to the policy guidance, then we recommend no further action on your end.

For #2 - App open ads can be closed at any time, and are designed to be shown when your users bring your app to the foreground while Interstitial typically displayed at natural transition points in the flow of an app, such as between activities. Our sample app is designed to showcase the simplest implementation of the Mobile Ads SDK which should be no issues when submitting to PlayStore. Unfortunately, our team don't have any control on the approval of your app on Google Play Team. If you think that they've misjudged your app, we recommend to submit an appeal to them and explain that you're using App Open Ads and not Interstitial ads.

Regards,

Teejay Wennie Mobile Ads SDK Team

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