Launch catalog / Playbook
Chrome Web Store
Paid only directory
Researched from public pages — no submission was run · sources read 2026-09-25. Rules change — recheck the platform's own pages before submitting.
Requirements
- You must ship an actual extension/theme packaged as a valid ZIP with a valid manifest — max package size 2 GB
- A Google account registered as a Chrome Web Store developer — one-time $5 registration fee
- New publishers are limited to a maximum of two published extensions until they request and receive a limit increase
- Listing requires declaring the extension's single purpose, privacy/data-handling disclosures, distribution countries, and visibility
- All submissions go through Google's review process before publishing
Prepare before opening the form
- ZIP package of the extension with a valid manifest.json
- Store listing copy: name, summary, description, category, language
- Promo images and a small tile/icon set per the Supplying Images doc
- Privacy declarations: single purpose statement, permission justifications, data handling disclosures
- Test instructions/credentials if reviewers need an account to exercise the extension
- $5 card payment for developer registration
Workflow
- Register a developer account at the Chrome Web Store Developer Dashboard ($5 one-time)
- Click 'Add new item' and upload the extension ZIP
- Fill the Store Listing, Privacy, Distribution and (if needed) Test instructions tabs
- Click 'Submit for Review' — optionally uncheck auto-publish for deferred publishing
- Wait for review; after approval you have 30 days to publish (or it auto-publishes unless deferred)
Watch for
- New publishers start capped at 2 published extensions — request a limit increase early if you plan more
- A deferred-publish window expires after 30 days: an approved-but-unpublished item reverts to draft and needs re-review
- Privacy tab misstatements (permissions vs actual behavior) are the most common rejection cause — declare honestly
- The dashboard offers 'Skip review for eligible changes' for minor edits — but not for first publish
- Developer-account deletion and enterprise publishing are separate flows — pick correctly at registration
What counts as live
Item status in the Developer Dashboard shows Published and the listing resolves at chromewebstore.google.com/detail/<id>
Not verified
- Exact review duration — docs say it 'depends on the nature of your item'
- Current item-limit criteria for increases beyond tenure and engagement signals