Guideline 2.3.6

Guideline 2.3.6 - Accurate Metadata: Incorrect Age Rating

Low SeverityEasy FixTypical Fix: 1-2 hours0 Reports

Also known as:Age rating is not consistent with the content of the appApp includes user-generated content but is rated 4+App contains mature themes not reflected in the age ratingAge rating does not account for realistic violence in gameplayApp allows unrestricted web browsing but is not rated 17+

Our Take

Apple is rejecting your app because its age rating does not accurately reflect the app's content. The most common trigger is an app rated 4+ that contains content appropriate for 12+ or 17+ -- but the reverse also happens (overrating triggers rejection too, though this is rare). The age rating is determined by the Content Description questionnaire in App Store Connect. Many developers rush through this form without carefully considering each question, especially around 'infrequent/mild' vs. 'frequent/intense' classifications. The questionnaire covers: cartoon/realistic violence, mature/suggestive themes, profanity, drug/alcohol/tobacco references, medical/treatment information, nudity, sexual content, gambling, horror/fear themes, and contests. This rejection is often seen alongside user-generated content. If your app allows any form of UGC (comments, photos, chat), Apple considers this potential exposure to all content types, which typically requires at least a 12+ rating even with moderation in place. Apps with unrestricted web browsing capability generally require 17+.

Resolution Guide

Retake the Content Description questionnaire

In App Store Connect > App Information > Age Rating, go through every question carefully. Don't default to the lowest option.

Account for UGC

If your app has any user-generated content (comments, photos, messages, profiles), answer 'Yes' to the relevant content categories even if your moderation is excellent. Apple rates based on potential exposure.

Account for web views

If your app includes a web browser or loads web content, consider that users could potentially access mature content through it.

Check third-party content

If your app displays content from APIs, feeds, or databases you don't fully control, rate based on the worst-case content that could appear.

Be honest about intensity

'Infrequent/mild' vs. 'frequent/intense' matters. If your game has occasional cartoon violence, that's different from constant realistic combat.

Prevention

Review the age rating questionnaire carefully -- it takes 5 minutes and prevents days of delay

If your app has UGC, start at 12+ minimum

If your app has unrestricted web browsing, expect 17+

Re-evaluate the rating with every major feature update

Example Rejection Email

From:Apple App Review Team

Subject:Guideline 2.3.6 - Accurate Metadata: Incorrect Age Rating

Guideline 2.3.6 - Performance - Accurate Metadata The age rating you have selected is not consistent with the content of your app. Specifically, your app includes user-generated content but is rated 4+, which does not account for the potential for mature content in user submissions. Next Steps: Please update the age rating for your app by revising the responses in the Age Rating section of App Store Connect to accurately reflect the content and features of your app.

Before & After

Before — Rejected

Social app with photo sharing and comments rated 4+ because 'we moderate all content within 24 hours'

After — Approved

Same app rated 12+ with 'Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes' and 'Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humor' selected in the questionnaire

What changed: Apple rates UGC apps on potential exposure, not your moderation effectiveness. Any UGC = at least 12+.

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