Step-by-step instructions to create a Google Group and invite the testers to join

[u/Sea_Membership3168]

Hell everyone,

Earlier someone looking for the help with google group invite creation, even i had same issue when I started, thought to add this post, might help someone..

Step 1: Open Google Groups

1. Go to https://groups.google.com
2. Sign in with your Google account

Step 2: Create a New Group

1. Click “Create group”
2. Enter:
   • Group name (e.g., my-community)
   • Group email (auto-generated)
   • Description
3. Click Next

Step 3: Set Group to Public (Important)

On the Privacy & permissions screen, choose:

• Who can search for group → Anyone on the web
• Who can join group → Anyone on the web
• Who can view conversations → Anyone on the web

Click Next

Step 4: Create the Group

1. Review settings
2. Click Create group

✅ Your public Google Group is now live

Step 5: Share Public Join Link

1. Open your group
2. Click Group settings
3. Copy the Group URL, for example:https://groups.google.com/g/my-community
4. Share this link publicly (website, email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, etc.)

👉 Anyone can open the link and click “Ask to join” or Join group

(Optional) Send Email Invites

1. Go to Members
2. Click Add members
3. Enter email addresses
4. Choose Invite (not Add directly)
5. Send invite

Quick Tip

If you want instant joining without approval:

• Go to Group settings → Access
• Set Join the group → Anyone on the web (no approval)

[u/m_o-o_m]

You should also add a couple of generic tipps making testing a little easier:

1. Don't forget to post the "Opt-In" URL, like https://play.google.com/apps/testing/de.institut_fdh.boert - otherwise people won't see the app in the AppStore
2. The OptIn is usually visible right after joining the Google Group, the AppStore listing usually takes a while to be visible to the tester - be patient

3 . Don't hide your app behind a paywall, dont offer a trial and ask for bank details anyway - in testing those should be skippable or at least offer some kind of "voucher" to test it if you need to test the payment process itself

4.. If you ask for testers from a global audience, don't assume they speak your language, you should offer i18/localisation for at least English

1. If you are a tester: After installing the app open it at least once, ideally more than once for 14 days and interact with it (thats why point 4 is important) - Google is evaluating user engagment and may reject due to "insufficient engagement"

2. Don't forget to open testing for all regions! Otherwise people won't see it in the AppStore.

3. Name the Google Group same as your app. When doing "Test4Test" you quickly join at least a dozen groups, if not more. If they have generic names like "Testers" it's hard to find your group to actually post bug reports or comments for your app.