How Long Does it Take for a Chrome Extension to be Reviewed

As a Chrome extension developer, you may have wondered how long it takes for your extension to be reviewed and published in the Chrome Web Store. The answer is that it can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. In this article, we will explore how long it typically takes for a Chrome extension to be reviewed, what you can do to speed up the process, and some of the factors that can cause delays.

How Long Does it Take to Review a Chrome Extension?

The time it takes for a Chrome extension to be reviewed can vary from a few hours to several weeks. According to Google, the review process can take up to five business days, but in practice, it can take much longer. The length of time it takes for your extension to be reviewed depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of your extension, the number of users, and the quality of your code.

Tips to Speed Up the Review Process

There are a few things you can do to speed up the review process and get your extension published faster. First, make sure that your code is optimized and free of bugs. This will make the review process faster and less prone to delays. Second, remove any unnecessary permissions from your extension. The more permissions your extension requests, the longer it will take to review. Finally, use Manifest V3 in your extension. This will help to speed up the review process by reducing the amount of time it takes to check your code for security issues.

My Experience with Chrome Extension Review

I recently published my first Chrome extension, and it took 42 hours for it to be approved. My Chrome developer account was new, so this may have contributed to the delay. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was approved within two days. After I updated my extension with some new code, it took 18 hours to be approved. This time, the review process was much faster, which I believe was due to the fact that my code was optimized and free of bugs. Here's a screenshot of the email I received when my extension was successfully published

Conclusion

The time it takes for a Chrome extension to be reviewed can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. To speed up the review process, make sure that your code is optimized, remove any unnecessary permissions, and use Manifest V3 in your extension. Additionally, if your Chrome developer account is new, it may take longer for your extension to be approved. Overall, it's important to be patient during the review process and to do everything you can to optimize your extension for a smooth and speedy review.