If you've ever uploaded a Chrome extension and were greeted with an uninviting rejection email, don't assume you're unique. Rejection is common with uploaded Chrome extensions thanks to muddled policies, incorrect packaging, or something they've missed.
The good news? Google has made it easier by assigning color-element names like Blue Argon, Purple Potassium, Yellow Zinc to Chrome Web Store rejection codes. Each rejection code is mapped to a specific type of violation as well as hints regarding how to fix it.
Here, we will decode what these Chrome extension rejection codes signify, how to interpret them, and offer a step-by-step checklist to debug Chrome Web Store violations prior to resubmission.
Instead of vague rejections, you now get a color-element code that maps directly to documentation in Chrome for Developers.
You can also check that in your Developer Dashboard → Status Tab to see more information. Always begin with code match to violation category.
Here’s a simplified decoder mapping the most common codes to violation categories and fixes.
| Code (Color → Element) | Violation Category | Common Causes | Quick Fix Checklist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Argon | MV3 additional requirements | Remotely hosted code, script src from CDN, eval usage | Keep all logic in ZIP, bundle SDKs locally, remove eval/new Function. |
| Yellow Magnesium | Functionality / packaging errors | Missing files, broken build, wrong manifest paths | Test packed build, check all manifest.json references, add reviewer test steps. |
| Purple Potassium | Excessive or unused permissions | Over-requesting host_permissions, unused API calls | Limit to activeTab or narrow scopes, remove unused, justify sensitive permissions. |
| Yellow Zinc | Metadata issues | Missing title, poor description, no screenshots/icons | Write clear description, add quality images, include required icons. |
| Red Magnesium / Red Copper / Red Lithium / Red Argon | Single-purpose violations | Multiple features bundled, injecting ads, replacing New Tab with extras | Keep extension focused, split features into separate submissions. |
| Purple Lithium / Purple Nickel / Purple Copper / Purple Magnesium | User data privacy | No privacy policy, unclear consent, insecure data handling | Publish a privacy policy, disclose data use, use HTTPS, collect only necessary data. |
| Grey Silicon | Cryptomining | Embedded miners, hidden mining scripts | Remove all mining functionality not allowed. |
| Blue Zinc / Blue Copper / Blue Lithium / Blue Magnesium | Prohibited products | Paywall bypassing, piracy tools, IP violations | Remove violating functionality or unpublish. |
Even professional developers fall into problems. Most common errors behind Chrome Web Store rejection are
Before hitting “Resubmit” in your dashboard, go through this mini-QA to avoid repeat rejections
When you encounter a chrome extension rejection code, don’t just patch and resubmit blindly.
The process of submitting a Chrome extension requires more than a single click in today's environment. Developers must treat compliance with the same level of importance as functionality because MV3 brings stronger privacy regulations and enhanced enforcement measures.
The preemptive knowledge of Chrome Web store rejection codes enables you to save time and reduce risks which leads to a successful product launch for users.
The rejection of Chrome extension submissions creates a frustrating experience, but developers receive better clarity about what needs improvement through rejection codes. If a developer understands the colour codes, he can quickly fix it and resubmit the extension. Treat the above table as your go-to guide for Chrome Web Store rejection codes and follow the quick-fix checklist before every submission.
At Coditude, we help companies build, test, and publish robust browser extensions that comply with Chrome Web Store policies from day one. Our team specializes in resolving Chrome Web violations while providing engineering support, which leads to better launch outcomes instead of email rejections.
Ready to move past Chrome Web Store rejections? The professional team at Coditude assists developers with extension creation and deployment, which follows Google's updated MV3 and privacy and single-purpose standards. Reach out to us today so we can assist you with making your upcoming submission successful.
