App Store vs Google Play: Content Moderation Requirements Compared

If your app lets users post content and you're shipping to both iOS and Android, you need to satisfy two different sets of moderation requirements. Both Apple and Google will reject apps that lack moderation, but they check for different things in different ways.

This guide compares the requirements side by side and shows how to meet both with a single integration.

Apple: Guideline 1.2

Apple's approach is prescriptive. Guideline 1.2 lists specific sub-requirements and reviewers check each one manually:

Apple reviews are manual. A human reviewer creates an account, uses your app, and checks each requirement. They also read your App Review Notes, so clear documentation helps.

For a detailed walkthrough, see How to Pass Apple's App Store Guideline 1.2.

Google Play: Developer Program Policy

Google's approach is more outcome-focused. The User Generated Content policy doesn't enumerate sub-requirements the way Apple does. Instead, it requires:

Google uses a mix of automated scanning and manual review. They're more likely to flag your app after launch based on user reports or automated analysis, rather than catching everything during initial review.

For Google-specific guidance, see Google Play Content Moderation.

Side-by-Side Comparison

One Integration for Both Platforms

The requirements overlap enough that a single moderation integration covers both stores. Here's the minimum viable setup:

import { Vettly } from '@vettly/sdk';
const vettly = new Vettly(process.env.VETTLY_API_KEY);

// 1. Content filtering (Apple 1.2.1 + Google moderation requirement)
const result = await vettly.check({
content: userPost.text,
imageUrl: userPost.imageUrl,
policy: 'community-safe', // Includes CSAM detection for Google
});

if (result.action === 'block') {
return res.status(422).json({ error: 'Content violates guidelines' });
}

// 2. User reporting (Apple 1.2.2 + Google reporting requirement)
await vettly.reports.create({
contentId: post.id,
reason: selectedReason,
reportedBy: currentUser.id,
});

// 3. User blocking (Apple 1.2.3 + Google best practice)
await vettly.blocks.create({
userId: blockedUser.id,
blockedBy: currentUser.id,
});

This single integration satisfies:

• Apple's Guideline 1.2.1 (filtering), 1.2.2 (reporting), and 1.2.3 (blocking)
• Google's moderation, reporting, and CSAM requirements
• Both platforms' contact and terms requirements (handled in your app UI)

Platform-Specific Review Notes

For Apple, add clear notes in App Store Connect:

Content Moderation: This app uses Vettly (https://vettly.dev) for server-side content moderation.
- Filtering (1.2.1): All UGC is screened via API before display
- Reporting (1.2.2): Flag icon on all content types (posts, comments, profiles)
- Blocking (1.2.3): Block option on user profiles, filters content from all surfaces
- Contact: [email protected]

For Google Play, the key touchpoints are the Data Safety section (declare that you process user content for moderation) and the Content Rating questionnaire (answer "yes" to user-generated content).

Key Differences to Watch

Apple is stricter at review time. They manually test your moderation before your app goes live. Get it right before submitting, or expect a rejection cycle. See how to fix an App Store rejection if you've already been rejected.

Google enforces more after launch. Your app might pass initial review but get flagged later based on user reports or automated scanning. Ongoing moderation quality matters more on Google Play.

Google cares more about CSAM. If your app handles images, make sure your moderation policy includes child safety categories with zero-tolerance thresholds.

Apple reads your notes. Invest time in clear App Review Notes. Google relies more on automated signals and policy declarations.

For implementation details, the App Store compliance docs cover the full technical setup for both platforms.