An organization account is recommended for Google Play even for personal development | Reasons and process to obtain one

I would like to create various types of apps while studying and researching development on my own. If I'm going to make it anyway, I'd like to make it public and use the sales to cover the cost of studying.

That's why I started developing and selling apps.

However, when it came to actually releasing it, there were major hurdles other than development.

• Once monetized, the registered address details will be published on Google Play. If you register with your home address, your home will be made public. [3]
• New personal accounts must conduct a closed test with at least 12 testers registered for 14 consecutive days before applying for access to the production version. [1]

Even if you just want to cover your study costs with sales, you have to think about how to make your home address public and how to attract testers. If you use a tester service, the effort of recruiting will be reduced, but there will be a cost for each app.

I want to monetize without disclosing my home address. We also want to reduce the time and cost involved in recruiting testers. These two points are the main reasons why you should consider setting up an organizational account and business address.

However, your address will also be made public in your organization account. To use an address other than your home address, the address must meet registration and verification requirements. Just renting a virtual office is not always the answer, so we will also explain what to keep in mind when making a selection later.

Based on this experience, I believe that even if you are an individual developer, if you plan to continue publishing apps as a sole proprietor, it is recommended that you set up an organizational account on Google Play from the beginning.

In this article, we will introduce the reasons why we think so, the process and problems involved in actually changing to an organizational account, and the differences in the paths to obtain a D-U-N-S number. The system and publication fees are information confirmed on October 26, 2026.

1. Even if you are developing it as an individual, an organization account is recommended if you want to continue it as a business.

People tend to think that ``because one person develops it, it's a personal account,'' but the number of people developing the account and the registration category of the account are two different things.

Google provides personal accounts for personal use, and organizational accounts for use as an organization or business. Sole proprietors in Japan can receive confirmation of their organizational eligibility by submitting a business start-up notification. This means that even if you have not established a company, you are eligible for organization registration. [2][5]

SANGE Studio was also published with a personal account at first, and then changed to an organizational account as a sole proprietorship. Looking back, I feel that if I was planning to publish multiple apps continuously, I should have prepared for organization registration at the same time as development.

The conditions are different from iOS organization registration.

The recommendations introduced here are for when using Google Play for business.

Apple may apply local currency charges. Sales fees etc. need to be confirmed separately. [3][4][6][7]

Apple requires corporate status to register as an organization, and sole proprietorships register as individuals. Merely having a business name or D-U-N-S number does not meet Apple's organizational registration requirements. [6]

2. The main reasons are “address disclosure due to monetization” and “tester recruitment/closed testing”

Reason 1: Monetization will make your detailed address public and you will need to take measures to protect your home address.

Regarding personal accounts, Google has announced that detailed addresses will be made public if you earn money on Google Play. If you list your home as your legal address, your address will be published on Google Play. [3]

Even if you want to cover your study costs with app sales, you don't want anyone to be able to see your home address. This is another reason to prepare a business address and account.

At SANGE Studio, we signed a virtual office contract and changed to an organizational account as a sole proprietor. However,Whether you can register at an address other than your home depends on the actual situation of your business, address registration requirements, and documents to be submitted. Before signing a contract, make sure that the address allows you to register a D-U-N-S number and perform Google verification.

However, your official address will also be published in your organization account. Just changing to an organization does not make your address private. [3]

When using a virtual office, make sure you have a contract that allows you to use the address as your official business address and that you can align your D-U-N-S registration information, Google payments profile, and submitted documents. Google requires that your organization's name and address match your D&B profile. This does not mean that any address will pass the verification if you sign a contract. [13]

There is also a monthly fee and mail receiving and forwarding costs, so in addition to saving tester costs, we judge this as an expense for operating without disclosing your home address.

Be careful when choosing a virtual office: You may not be able to register even after signing a contract.

You cannot obtain a D-U-N-S number just by renting a virtual office. Being able to sign a contract for the use of an address, being able to register that address in D-U-N-S, and being able to pass Google's organization verification are all different things.

Tokyo Shoko Research's "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding D-U-N-S Numbers in Transactions with Google" (September 2024) explains that the head office address is not registered at the registered head office, but at the base that has substantial head office functions such as general affairs, accounting, and human resources, and that address changes for convenience are not accepted. [14]

From this explanation, it is thought thatif the address is only rented for the purpose of receiving mail or displaying an address, but cannot be confirmed as an actual business location, D-U-N-S registration at that address may be refused. This is a cautionary note based on the principle of official physical address, and is not introduced as a rule that prohibits all virtual offices across the board. Please check with the application counter for specific business forms and addresses for sole proprietorships.

Things to keep in mind as official registration/confirmation requirements

The basis is Tokyo Shoko Research and Google's official guide. [5][13][14] It cannot be determined that these conditions are met simply by providing information about services that can be registered, listed in the business opening notification, or able to receive mail.

Check with the virtual office operator before signing a contract

The following are not the equipment conditions that Google has set as uniformly mandatory, but the items to check when choosing a contract partner.

Google does not necessarily accept certificates of use issued by virtual office operators as address verification documents. After checking the documents that can be issued, separately check whether the type of documents required by the applicant is suitable.

Furthermore, the official information we have reviewed does not provide a uniform standard for determining whether a shared address is always unacceptable, or if there is a private room or landline phone, it is always acceptable. It is important not to confuse individual requirements with general selection points.

Cases where acquisition/confirmation is likely to stop

• Although I rented it as an address for public use, it cannot be treated as a substantial business location for D-U-N-S registration purposes.
• D&B is my home address and Google is my virtual office address.
• The address in your Google payment profile does not match the documents you submitted, such as your business opening notification.
• The contract plan only supports posting addresses online, but does not support necessary usage or certificate issuance.
• Even if the address change has been completed by the applicant, it has not yet been reflected in the information referenced by Google.

We will accurately explain the actual status of your business and prepare the address necessary for registration and confirmation. Avoid hiding the business status of your home and declaring a rented address as your actual business location.

1. Confirm purposeConfirm store/plan/document issue
2. Consult with the application counterInform the actual business situation and planned address
3. Check conditions and feesConfirm whether you can register before signing
4. Align informationMatch D&B, Google, and submitted documents

Just having an address rental contract doesn't necessarily mean you can pass D-U-N-S registration or Google verification.

Check order before applying

1. Check whether the candidate store/plan allows for the use of the necessary address and issuance of documents.
2. Inform the D-U-N-S application counter of your business details, actual work location, and planned address, and confirm how the information will be handled for registration purposes.
3. If necessary, contact Google to see if the address and business documents you submit can be verified.
4. After understanding the terms and costs, sign a contract and prepare the information on D&B, Google, and documents.

It is important to check first whether it can meet the D-U-N-S address requirements and Google document verification, rather than choosing it just because it is cheap or says it can be registered. If you apply for a D-U-N-S number via Apple's instructions, you still need to accurately declare your address and registration information.

Reason 2: Closed testing with 12 testers and 14 days puts a burden on individual development.

Personal Google Play accounts created after November 13, 2023 must conduct a closed test with 12 or more registered testers for 14 consecutive days before applying for access to the retail version. [1]

Don't just finish your app. Gather participants, guide them through testing, collect feedback, and respond to readiness for publication. There is also no mechanism to automatically publish it after 14 days.

If you're working alone, just gathering 12 or more people with Android devices and asking for their help will require a lot of adjustments. If you want to create and publish various applications, this task becomes a burden.

Compare personal and organizational accounts on Google Play

This is a comparison based on official information. [1][2][3][4] App reviews and quality checks are also required for organizational accounts. Individuals can also monetize and invite users, so whether or not they can do so is not the main difference.

Paid tester services require a fee per app.

A paid tester service is a way to reduce the effort of recruiting.

However, the amount of approximately 3,000 yen is not a uniform mandatory fee. Prices vary depending on the service, number of people, fees, and exchange rates. Nor is Google asking you to pay for tester services.

For example, if you expect to pay 3,000 yen per app, your expenses will be as follows.

This is a simple calculation assuming you pay the same amount for each app. The actual cost will vary depending on the multiple-book plan and retest conditions.

For apps that grow from small sales, the expense per app cannot be ignored. Another thing to keep in mind is that while money can reduce the recruitment burden, it does not necessarily shorten the 14-day requirement.

Tester service comparison

Below is a comparison of the plans posted on each company's official page. This is not a ranking that independently verifies the operator's service quality or approval rate. [8][9][10]

The price page for Testers Community was displayed in euros. Don't just compare numbers with other companies that are expressed in US dollars, check the currency, taxes, and fees on the payment screen.

PrimeTestLab's Starter is the total amount including the posted minimum commission. Prices vary depending on campaigns and additional options. Each company's "guarantee of approval," "retest," and "refund" are terms and conditions of the service, and do not guarantee public approval by Google. [8][9][10]

In addition to the price, check the test content as well.

When comparing, look not just at the number of people, but also at the scope of actual operations and feedback.

• Can you specify the functions and operating procedures you want to use?
• Are steps to reproduce the problem and device information reported?
• How will you respond if the number of participants decreases midway through?
• What are the conditions for retesting/refund?
• Will it support paid apps and apps that require login?

Even if the service provides example application answers, match the answers to actual tests you have performed on your app. Google will ask you about your testing findings and preparation for publication. [1]

If you want to keep costs down, asking an acquaintance or testing with other developers is also an option. However, even if it is free, it requires your own time.

Consider store registration fees and costs that can be reduced separately.

If you use an organizational account, not all publishing costs will be waived. The basic registration fee for Google Play is US$25 for the first time for both individuals and organizations. [4]

What we want to reduce is the repetitive burden of recruiting testers and outsourcing. Even if you have a personal account, you can avoid paying for paid services if you request a friend or do a mutual test. On the other hand, if your business publishes multiple apps on an ongoing basis, it's worth preparing to register your organization early.

If you need to prepare a new website, contact information, etc. for organization registration, the cost will be included in the decision. Also, organization accounts are not designed to keep all business information private, so please check the information that is made public. [3]

1. Organize business informationOpening notification, address, contact information, website
2. Prepare your D-U-N-S numberCheck your existing number and apply if necessary
3. Request changes with GoogleVerification of registered information and document verification
4. Supports additional confirmationSANGE Studio also submits receipt notification

Required documents and time required vary for each application. Google's organization verification is not completed just by obtaining a number.

3. The process of obtaining an organizational account and the actual problems I faced

With SANGE Studio, I had obtained a personal account first, so instead of registering a new account, I proceeded with changing from an individual to an organization.

Preparation: Organize business opening notification, address, and contact information

The actual preparations were as follows. It is not a strict order of work, but a summary of what was prepared before the change.

Virtual office is the method chosen by SANGE Studio. This success story does not apply to all stores, contract plans, and applicants. This is not a mandatory contract, so please check the address requirements, documents to be submitted, and contract conditions mentioned above before making a decision.

Step 1: Prepare your business website before applying for a D-U-N-S number

In addition to numbers and documents, prepare a website early on where you can check the details of your business. If you start creating after being asked for a URL during application/confirmation, it will take time to publish and confirm.

However, it has not been confirmed that all applicants are required to create a new website in order to obtain aD-U-N-S number. In the user guide of Tokyo Shoko Research, the homepage URL is explained as an item to be entered if you have it. If you are requested to submit individual documents, we will comply with the instructions. [15]

On the other hand, Google Play organization registration requires website information, and new organization accounts also have website verification requirements. [3][16] The process from applying for a D-U-N-S number to verifying Google's organization is a continuous process, so it will be easier to proceed if you include it in your preparations.

Contents of the page to be prepared

The following is an example of posting to explain the business operator. This does not mean that all items are required to obtain D-U-N-S.

There is no need to create a large-scale site for application. First, publish a page that shows the actual business content and check that the URL opens correctly. Posting business information itself is not a substitute for document and address verification.

When Google asks you to verify ownership

Google provides instructions on how to check your website's association with the Play Console through Search Console. In addition to making your site public, it's important to have administrative privileges that allow you to check ownership yourself. SNS profile URLs cannot be used to confirm this website. [17]

A separate website is required for Apple organization registration.

To register your organization for the Apple Developer Program, we require a publicly available, functioning website with a domain associated with your organization. Social media pages, sites with very little content, domain vendor information pages, etc. are not accepted. [7]

This is an Apple organization registration requirement and should not be confused with the requirement when applying for a D-U-N-S number through Apple's guidance. As mentioned above, Japanese sole proprietorships are required to register as individuals with Apple.

Step 2: Prepare your D-U-N-S number

As a general rule, a D-U-N-S number is required for Google Play organization registration. [3]

The D-U-N-S number is a 9-digit business identification number managed by Dun & Bradstreet and is different from the Japanese corporate number. Individual business owners are also eligible. You may already have been granted one, so please check before making a new application. [11]

SANGE Studio was acquired via Tokyo Shoko Research. I feel like I should have learned about the free application route provided by Apple later and compared it before applying. The costs and delivery times of the acquisition routes will be compared in the next chapter.

Step 3: Proceed with changes to the organization on Google Play

Once you have obtained the number, proceed with the procedure to change your organization on Google Play. We will prepare the business name, address, contact information, etc., and handle the required documents and identity verification. [3][5]

Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that the submitted documents and registration information match. Google advises that the documents you submit must match the information in your payments profile. [5]

Once you obtain a D-U-N-S number, Google's organization verification is not completed. It is anticipated that information will need to be verified and additional materials will need to be confirmed.

Trouble: Even though I submitted all pages of the business start-up notification, the required pages are missing.

At SANGE Studio, when we submitted a business opening application, it was rejected because the required pages were not included.

The business opening notification was one page long, and the entire document was submitted. So at first I didn't know what I was missing.

Then I checked the Reception notification in the e-Tax message box. I combined the business opening notification and receipt notice into one PDF and resubmitted it.

If you use electronically applied business start-up notifications, it will be easier to handle additional confirmations if you save the receipt notification in addition to a copy of the notification form. It is a good idea to check this so that you do not confuse it with an instant notification with a similar name.

However, we cannot confirm Google's official statement that attachment of receipt notification is uniformly required for all applications. This is an example of SANGE Studio support. Please follow the instructions on the application screen and support. [5]

Step 4: After submitting all documents, changes can be completed in about 10 minutes

After submitting a PDF summarizing the business opening notification and receipt notification, the change from personal account to organizational account was completed in about 10 minutes.

Approximately 10 minutes is the time after completing the necessary preparations and submitting the final materials. The entire process, including submitting the business opening notification and obtaining the D-U-N-S number, was not completed in 10 minutes.

Not all applications can be completed in the same amount of time, but in my experience, it was especially difficult to understand what materials were needed and gather them.

4. Should I obtain the D-U-N-S number through Apple or through Tokyo Shoko Research?

If you look into the acquisition route, you will find the services of Tokyo Shoko Research and the free application that can be proceeded from Apple Developer's guidance.

This does not mean taking separate types of numbers. Both are applications regarding D&B's D-U-N-S number. It is not a system that involves registering Apple's own number with Google. [6][11]

Prices and days are official information provided by each counter. [6][11] The number of days for Tokyo Shoko Research is an estimated delivery date starting from the next business day after the reception is completed. Apple's instructions are application instructions for Apple and do not indicate the number of days until availability on Google Play.

Additionally, Tokyo Shoko Research's ``existing number inquiry'' is a separate service from the new number issue. According to the current guidance, the fee for inquiring your company number is 10,000 yen (excluding tax). Make sure to check what you are applying for, and do not confuse it with a free new number. [11]

Regarding cost and delivery time, I would like to check via Apple first.

By comparison, it is attractive to use Apple, which is free and takes up to 5 business days to receive the number. If you are going to choose an acquisition route, we recommend that you first check Apple's free application counter.

However, Apple's guidance assumes that you are registering for the Apple Developer Program. Although there are public testimonials of Japanese sole proprietors obtaining information through this route and using it to register their organizations on Google Play, this cannot be treated as an official guarantee that applies to all applicants. [12]

Please accurately state that you are a sole proprietor and the purpose of use, and check whether the application is accepted or not and the required documents. If this is not available, you can consider applying for Tokyo Shoko Research, which includes sole proprietorships. [11]

It is necessary to separate the recommendation that ``it is better to go through Apple'' and the assertion that ``anyone can obtain it within 5 business days.''

Procedure for checking/applying from Apple's instructions

1. Open Apple's D-U-N-S number guide.
2. Proceed to the search page in the instructions and sign in with your Apple Account.
3. Check the official business information to see if a number has already been assigned.
4. If you are not registered, check the application guide and acceptance conditions that are displayed.
5. Enter the business name, location, contact information, etc., and respond to the confirmations requested.
6. After issuing, save the number and registration information and proceed to verification/organization confirmation on Google Play side.

Apple explains that a D&B representative may contact you to confirm your business type, number of employees, etc. at the time of application. [6]

Applying for a free D-U-N-S number and registering for paid membership in the Apple Developer Program are separate procedures. In addition, the maximum two business days after issuance as advised by Apple is the period for information to be communicated to Apple, not the period for it to be reflected in Google. [6][7]

If you already have a number, check your existing number and registration information before trying to change routes and get a new number.

Reduce the burden of publishing preparations to continue development

Create various apps, learn techniques, and use the proceeds for future studies and development. In order to continue in this form, we would like to reduce the costs and work required until publication.

If you want to continue publishing on Google Play as a sole proprietor, prepare an organizational account from the beginning. To obtain a D-U-N-S number, first check Apple's free application counter and confirm whether it can be used for your business type, then choose the acquisition route.

SANGE Studio itself was acquired via Tokyo Shoko Research. The explanation provided by Apple in this article is based on a comparison of official information and public testimonials. I hope that this experience will be useful in preparing for future publication.

Additional information regarding address requirements, virtual office selection, and website preparation has been confirmed as official information on October 27, 2026. The confirmation dates for other systems and fees are as stated at the beginning.

Source

1. Google: App testing requirements for new personal developer accounts
2. Google: Choose your developer account type
3. Google: Information required to create an account
4. Google: Play Console registration procedure and registration fee
5. Google: Documents required for confirmation - Japan
6. Apple: D-U-N-S number
7. Apple: Program enrollment and fees
8. PrimeTestLab: Pricing
9. OnTesters: Pricing
10. Testers Community: Pricing
11. Tokyo Shoko Research: D-U-N-S Number
12. ZeroCreate: Get a D-U-N-S number (acquisition experience by a sole proprietor)

Source 12 is referenced as a supplement to the acquired experience. When determining acceptance conditions and systems, please prioritize the official guidance of each company.

13. Google: Keep your developer account information up to date

14. Tokyo Shoko Research: FAQ regarding D-U-N-S Number in transactions with Google (September 2024, PDF)

15. Tokyo Shoko Research: D-U-N-S Number Search Service User Guide (PDF)
16. Google: Verify developer identity
17. Google: Check website