# Guideline 4.2.2 - Design: Marketing-Only App With No Functionality

**Guideline:** 4.2.2 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Severity:** medium · **Fix difficulty:** medium · **Typical turnaround:** 1-3 days

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/4/guideline-422-design-marketing-only-app-with-no-functionality

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because it functions primarily as a marketing or advertising vehicle rather than providing genuine utility. Guideline 4.2.2 explicitly states that apps should not be merely marketing materials — they need to provide a useful experience independent of any promotional purpose. This rejection targets apps that are essentially digital brochures: company overview screens, product catalogs with no interactivity, event promotional apps with only a schedule and sponsor logos, or apps that exist solely to drive users to a website or physical location. Restaurant apps that just show a menu PDF and address, real estate listing apps that only show a company's own listings with no search, and conference apps with static schedules all frequently get this rejection. The key question Apple asks is: 'Does this app do anything a flyer or website couldn't?' If the answer is no, it will be rejected. The fastest compliant path is to add interactive features that justify the native app — ordering, reservations, personalized recommendations, loyalty programs, interactive maps, or user accounts with saved preferences.

## Common variations

- App is primarily a marketing or advertising tool
- App functions as a digital brochure with no interactive features
- App presents static business information better suited to a website
- App is a promotional vehicle without sufficient standalone utility
- App serves only as marketing material for a company or event

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 4.2.2 - Design - Minimum Functionality

Your app is primarily a marketing or advertising tool and does not provide sufficient utility or entertainment value as a standalone app. Specifically, your app functions as a digital brochure for your business, displaying static information that would be better presented on a website.

Apps that are simply marketing material for companies, brands, or events are not appropriate for the App Store.

Next Steps:
Please revise your app to include meaningful interactive functionality beyond marketing content. Consider features like ordering, account management, personalization, or other utility that provides real value to users.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment
- **Risk level:** Medium
- **Resolution path:** Add interactive features beyond static marketing content
- **Typical turnaround:** 1-3 days

## The Fix

01. **Identify your app's utility** — What can your app do for users that your website cannot? If you can't answer this, you need to add functionality.

02. **Add transactional features** — Ordering, booking, reservations, or purchases. These immediately transform a brochure into a utility.

03. **Add personalization** — User accounts, saved preferences, favorites, recommendations based on behavior, or notification preferences.

04. **Add interactive elements** — Interactive maps with directions, QR code scanning, loyalty point tracking, appointment scheduling, or real-time inventory/availability.

05. **Add push notifications with value** — Order status updates, appointment reminders, personalized offers based on user preferences (with opt-in).

06. **Remove or minimize static marketing content** — If you have pages that are just text and images about your company, either make them interactive or remove them. Lead with utility.

## Prevention
- Start with the user's need, not the business's marketing goal
- Every screen should answer: 'What can the user do here?' — not just 'What can the user read here?'
- If your primary goal is brand awareness, consider a Safari Web App or App Clip instead
- Plan at least 3 interactive features before starting development

## Appeal guidance

Appeal only if the reviewer missed interactive features. Provide a detailed walkthrough showing functionality beyond marketing content. If the app is genuinely a digital brochure, add interactive features and resubmit.

## Before / after examples

**Before:** Restaurant app with four tabs: About Us (company history), Menu (static PDF), Gallery (photo slideshow), Contact (address and phone number)
**After:** Restaurant app with online ordering, table reservations, loyalty rewards program, interactive menu with dietary filters and allergen info, push notifications for order status, and saved favorites
**Why it works:** Each screen must offer user actions, not just display information. The app needs to do something a website visit cannot.

## Common questions

**Can you appeal a 4.2.2 rejection?**

Appeal only if the reviewer missed interactive features. Provide a detailed walkthrough showing functionality beyond marketing content. If the app is genuinely a digital brochure, add interactive features and resubmit.

**How long does this typically take to fix?**

Typical turnaround is 1-3 days (difficulty: medium). After resubmission, most re-reviews complete within 24-48 hours.

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*Machine-readable source: https://api.appstorereject.com/api/rejections/detail?slug=guideline-422-design-marketing-only-app-with-no-functionality*