Publishing Extensions to Chrome Web Store

I encountered some issues when going through the store publication process - the web page prompts weren’t always accurate, so I’m documenting the actual process here.

Store Developer Platform address: Click here

1. Pay the $5 registration fee to become an extension developer
   • Requires a Visa card
   • Mainland China is not supported as a region; choose Hong Kong and use a fake address
2. Click “Upload new item” and fill out the required information
   • Upload file type should be zip

Officially it takes several business days, but due to the current pandemic situation, it’s a bit slower. My app review took 3 days, but sometimes it’s done in 1 day - it really depends on luck.

Preparation Materials

Here are the key materials you need:

• Store icon

  • 128x128

• Screenshots

  • No more than 5 images
  • 1280x800 or 640x400
  • JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha transparency)
  • At least 1 image required

Submission Review

When submitting for review, in addition to filling out the application form, pay attention to adding and verifying the contact email address. This email is not the Google account email configuration but rather the configuration under Store → Account.

Offline Installation

After uploading and signing, a CRX packaged and signed program file is generated. After downloading, you can install it offline when developer mode is enabled.

Final Thoughts

Publishing extensions to the Chrome Web Store requires careful attention to detail, especially regarding the submission requirements and regional restrictions. While the process can take several days for review, proper preparation with all required materials (icons, screenshots, and proper documentation) will help ensure a smooth publication process. Remember that mainland China is not supported as a region, so developers from China need to choose Hong Kong and use appropriate address information.