App is not spam or a near-duplicate of another app in the store

Apple guideline 4.3 and Google Play's Repetitive Content policy target apps that dilute store quality without adding value — commodity utilities (tip calculators, flashlights, unit converters) with no differentiator, and near-duplicate submissions from the same developer. Beyond rejection, being flagged as spam can result in removal of existing apps from the same developer account. The store algorithms also deprioritize apps from accounts with spam history, reducing organic discoverability even after policy issues are resolved.

Identify the single sharpest differentiator your app offers over the top three free alternatives in the same category — if you cannot name one, build one before submitting. Make that differentiator front-and-center in the app name, first screen, and store description.

For second-version apps, update the existing listing rather than creating a new one:

# Correct: update version in existing app.json
# app.json
{ "expo": { "version": "2.0.0", "ios": { "buildNumber": "20" } } }

# Wrong: creating a new app with bundleIdentifier com.example.myapp2

Commodity utilities in crowded categories need a design system distinction, a workflow integration, or a community feature — cosmetic reskins do not satisfy the differentiation requirement.