Promotion methods that pay users or offer rewards specifically for installing, rating, or engaging with an app — install farms, pay-per-install networks, incentivized download campaigns — are prohibited because they artificially inflate an app's visibility and metrics.
Usually flagged after a spike in install volume from a narrow set of traffic sources that Google's fraud detection associates with known incentivized-install networks.
"We detected unusual install patterns associated with incentivized or fraudulent installs for your app, in violation of the App Promotion policy."
The app-promotion policy bans methods that artificially inflate an app's visibility or metrics. Paying users or offering rewards specifically to install, rate or engage with an app, and using install farms or pay-per-install networks, are all prohibited. Such campaigns tend to show up as sudden spikes of installs from a narrow set of sources.
Rankings and charts guide people to the apps worth their time. If installs and ratings can be bought, the best-promoted app rises instead of the best app, and honest developers cannot compete. Incentivised installs also bring users who have no interest in the product, which distorts engagement data. The policy protects the integrity of discovery, which is the foundation of the store's usefulness.
Yes, through legitimate advertising, but not through incentivised installs.
They are judged on whether they reward installs or genuine engagement.
Google's detection systems and reports from others.
Platform rules change often. This page is a plain-language explanation written by AppReviewFix, not official guidance. Check the current Google Play Developer Policy Center for the exact wording.