Releasing apps with User-Generated Content checklist

At the heart of every UGC app is a simple premise: people post what they want. That’s both the benefit and the risk. The tech and trust-and-safety landscape has evolved quickly in the last few years for a simple reason: sheer volume. But there’s another driver too. Both Apple and Google now require apps with user-generated content to proactively filter objectionable material before it reaches other users.

Research shows that around 67 % of users report encountering harmful content online, and about 26 % experience content removal through moderation efforts.

To prevent inappropriate content from ever reaching the feed, developers should define objectionable content clearly in the app’s terms of service, implement filters at upload time, and adopt a hybrid moderation model where automated systems flag likely issues while human reviewers make the final call. Platforms that employ AI in this way can detect up to 80 % of harmful posts when models are well trained, significantly reducing the burden on human moderation teams.

Filtering isn’t optional. App store guidelines require developers to take proactive steps to prevent harmful or illegal content appearing in user feeds, which means moderation needs to be designed into the product from the start.

Automated systems aren’t perfect. They never will be. That’s why app store guidelines from Apple and Google explicitly require apps with UGC to provide a clear mechanism for users to report problematic content. But your users can help. A well-designed reporting mechanism is both a safety net for your community and a signal to platform reviewers that you take safety seriously. When users actively participate in content oversight, reports of harmful content tend to rise, which actually helps surface what automation misses.

Good reporting means that the “Report” buttons are visible and intuitive, the reasons for reporting (bullying, hate speech, sexual content, etc.) are clear, and backend workflows ensure every report is tracked and acted on. Speed matters here, the quicker you respond to user reports, the safer the community feels, and the more likely your app will pass store review scrutiny.

Blocking abusive users is more than a feature, it’s a core safety mechanism. App store policies from Apple and Google require apps that include user interaction to provide tools for users to protect themselves from harassment or abuse.

Platforms that fail to let users block others risk community harm and potential removal from app stores. Moderation strategies often show that a small proportion of users generate a large share of problematic submissions, so targeted interventions can meaningfully reduce risk.

When designing this, think beyond the button: decide whether blocks are temporary or permanent, and consider automated escalation for repeat offenders. Users should also be able to appeal where reasonable. Doing this right protects the community and keeps your platform compliant.

Major app stores expect developers to publish clear contact information so users can reach a real human when something goes wrong. This isn’t just good practice, it’s a compliance signal. Users need a support email in the app, a web-accessible contact form, and, if your platform is large enough, a dedicated safety team email. If users can’t easily reach you when serious issues arise, that’s a red flag for reviewers.

Certain content patterns regularly trigger rejection during app store review. Both Apple and Google scrutinise apps with user-generated content closely, particularly when moderation safeguards are weak or unclear. If your app’s main use case resembles any of the following, make sure mitigation measures are in place:

• Content that’s predominantly pornographic or adult-focused without effective gating.
• Random or anonymous chat mechanics like Chatroulette‑style flows with minimal moderation.
• Objectification features such as “hot‑or‑not” voting.
• Lack of robust reporting and blocking mechanisms.
• Inadequate filters for intellectual property violations or hate speech.

Being proactive here saves time, prevents rejection, and protects your users.

In the UK, regulations around age verification have tightened significantly under the Online Safety Act 2023. Services that allow potentially harmful content must implement “highly effective age checks” to prevent minors from accessing age-restricted areas of an app.

This is now a legal requirement. Large platforms already use ID checks or biometrics to meet this mandate. Reddit, for example, was fined £14.5 million for failing to verify users under 13 before exposing them to inappropriate content.

Consumer trust is mixed; 58 % of adults say they don’t trust mobile apps to accurately verify age, and many would abandon identity verification processes.

For a full guide on implementing compliant and user-friendly age verification, see our dedicated blog here: 2025 UK Age Verification Rules Every App Developer Must Know.

Before hitting submit on your next UGC-heavy app, tick these off:

• Filters for objectionable content are implemented and tested.
• Reporting system is live and actions are traceable.
• User blocking/abuse mitigation strategy exists.
• Published contact info is accessible in app and online.
• Content policies are clear and visible to users.
• Moderation workflows and metrics are set up.
• Age verification process in place for age-restricted content (if applicable).

This quick checklist doubles as an internal audit at The Distance, it ensures key safety mechanics aren’t overlooked during development.

UGC isn’t just a feature you can bolt on, it needs to be included in the product’s mindset from the start. For modern apps, it comes with clear expectations from platforms like Apple and Google around moderation, safety, and accountability.

Community, engagement, regulation, and safety all collide here. Done poorly, it’s a headache: content violations, user complaints, legal issues, and rejections. Done right, it’s the feature that keeps your app alive.

Use this guide as both a development compass and a review framework. It ensures nothing falls through the cracks and that your UGC experience works as intended from day one.