The content rating questionnaire is a short form in Play Console where you describe what's in your app, such as violence, user interaction or gambling-like features. Your answers produce age ratings from rating authorities around the world through the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). It's required, it must be accurate, and you need to complete it before your app setup is finished, which includes before you can start closed testing.
Where the questionnaire fits
The content rating is one of the App content declarations, alongside the privacy policy, ads, app access, target audience and content, and the Data safety form. You'll find them under Policy and programs > App content in Play Console (App content). Google sometimes shortens the menu label, so look for "App content" if the path looks slightly different.
Closed testing requires app setup to be complete, so an unfinished rating can hold up your whole test. It's one of the items in our closed testing checklist.
Google is clear that a rating isn't optional. Its content ratings help says: "We don't allow apps without a content rating on Google Play" and "Apps without a content rating will be removed from the Play Store."
What IARC is
IARC is the International Age Rating Coalition. Instead of filling in a separate form for each country, you answer one questionnaire, and the participating authorities assign their ratings. Google's help names authorities such as ESRB (Americas), PEGI (Europe and the Middle East), USK (Germany), ClassInd (Brazil) and ACB (Australia).
Because each authority has its own standards, "your app can earn different ratings in different territories." That's normal, not a mistake in your answers.
How to fill it in, step by step
Google's steps for the questionnaire are:
- Open App content in Play Console and find the content rating section.
- Click Start and read the introduction.
- Enter an email address. It's used for correspondence with the rating authorities, so use one you check.
- Select the category that best describes your app (for example a game, or a non-game app) and click Next.
- Answer every question. You can use Edit to go back and change an answer.
- If you need to stop, click Save draft. You can keep one draft per app.
- Review the calculated ratings on the summary page, then click Submit.
The questions vary by category. A game is asked more about depictions of violence or fear, for example, while many apps are asked about user-generated content, sharing location, or digital purchases.
Answering honestly
Google's instruction is direct: "You must accurately complete the Play Console questionnaire for every app." It also warns that "misrepresentation of your app's content may result in removal or suspension."
Some practical guidance:
- Answer for the whole app, not the first screen. Include content behind a login, in later levels, or in features you plan to switch on during the test.
- Count user-generated content. If users can chat, post images or share links, say so, even if you moderate it.
- Include ads and third-party content. Content shown through ads or embedded web pages can matter for some answers. If you're unsure, read the question's help text carefully.
- Don't answer to get a lower rating. A rating that doesn't match the app is a listed policy area when Google reviews you for production. Google tells developers to check "target age group, content rating and store listing accuracy" before applying.
Content rating vs target audience
These are two separate declarations that people often mix up:
| Content rating | Target audience and content | |
|---|---|---|
| What it describes | What's in the app | Who the app is for |
| Who decides the result | Rating authorities via IARC | You declare the age groups |
| Typical question | Does the app contain violence? | Which age groups is the app aimed at? |
They should tell a consistent story. An app aimed at young children with a rating that suggests mature content, or the reverse, invites questions during review.
When you need to submit it again
A rating isn't a one-time task. Google says: "If you make changes to your app content or features that affect the responses to the rating questionnaire, you must submit a new content rating questionnaire."
Common triggers:
- adding chat, comments or other user interaction
- adding purchases or gambling-like mechanics such as loot boxes
- adding content with violence, fear or mature themes
- changing what users can share, such as their location
If you ship such a change during your closed test, update the questionnaire at the same time. Like other App content changes, it goes through Publishing overview and is sent for review with your other changes. If a review then seems slow, see closed testing release stuck in review.
Common mistakes
- Leaving it as a draft. A saved draft isn't a rating. Make sure you clicked Submit.
- Using an unmonitored email address. Authorities may need to contact you.
- Choosing the wrong category. The category controls which questions you see. Pick the one that matches the app as it is.
- Forgetting to update it after a feature change. Your rating must match the current build.
Key takeaways
- The content rating questionnaire is required; apps without a rating are removed.
- One questionnaire produces ratings from several authorities through IARC, and ratings can differ by territory.
- Answer accurately for the whole app, including user interaction and purchases.
- Submit a new questionnaire when changes affect your answers.
With the App content section complete, you can move on to the track itself; our guide covers the Play Console steps for inviting our tester group. Once the app setup is done, GoPlayTester can provide 12+ real testers for your 14-day closed test, and you can order here.
