Ep 42 - App Certification with the Ecosystem Quality Team | Developers:After Dark

What does HubSpot app certification actually take? Jana sits down with HubSpot’s ecosystem quality team to break down the app certification process, what makes a certified app, and how to succeed in the HubSpot marketplace.

In this episode of Developers After Dark, Jana is joined by Marina Lupin and Brittany, two senior technical program managers who live and breathe HubSpot app certification. Together, they unpack what certification really means beyond just a badge—why it’s a signal of trust, how it impacts partner growth, and what developers should expect when applying.

You’ll get an inside look at how the app certification process works from submission to review, including why apps fail, how requirements like 60 active installs and 95% API success rates came to be, and what changed with the new two-year recertification cycle. The team also shares practical advice for HubSpot developers on how to prepare, what mistakes to avoid, and how to use the certified app badge to stand out in the HubSpot marketplace.

If you’re building apps for HubSpot or thinking about applying for HubSpot app certification, this episode gives you the clarity (and honesty) you need.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro & Women’s History Month kickoff
01:49 Meet Jana, Marina, and Brittany
04:00 What HubSpot app certification really means
06:36 Balancing quality vs supporting partners
14:00 Why the install requirement changed (6 → 60)
24:00 The new two-year recertification cycle
30:57 What happens after you submit your app
35:48 Common reasons apps fail certification
43:00 What reviewers actually look for
54:00 Pre-flight checklist before applying
59:00 How to use your certified app badge
01:02:44 Wrap-up and final thoughts

Resources & Links

• HubSpot App Certification Requirements: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/certification-requirements
• How to Apply for Certification: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/applying-for-app-certification
• HubSpot Academy Certification Course: https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/getting-your-app-certified-on-the-marketplace
• HubSpot Developers YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HubSpotDevelopers

#HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotMarketplace #AppCertification #DeveloperPodcast #WomenInTech

We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.com

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