Add Your Story Tool To AMP.dev: A Comprehensive Guide

by Alex Johnson 54 views

Are you a developer or platform provider with a fantastic tool for creating Web Stories? Getting your tool listed on amp.dev can significantly boost its visibility and reach within the AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) ecosystem. This guide will walk you through the process of submitting your story creation resource, ensuring it meets the necessary criteria, and maximizing your chances of a successful listing.

Why List Your Tool on AMP.dev?

Listing your tool on amp.dev offers several key benefits:

  • Increased Visibility: AMP.dev is a central hub for all things AMP, attracting a large audience of developers, content creators, and businesses looking for tools and resources.
  • Credibility and Trust: Being listed on the official AMP project website lends credibility to your tool, signaling that it meets AMP's standards for quality and performance.
  • Reach a Wider Audience: AMP is widely adopted, and having your tool listed on amp.dev exposes it to a global audience interested in creating engaging web stories.
  • Community Engagement: AMP has a vibrant community, and listing your tool can open doors to collaboration, feedback, and new opportunities.

Understanding the Submission Process

The process for adding a third-party story creation tool, CMS, or platform to amp.dev involves a few key steps. First, you'll need to ensure your tool produces valid Web Stories that adhere to AMP's specifications. The AMP Linter is a crucial tool in this process, as it helps identify any issues that might prevent your stories from validating. Let's dive deeper into these steps.

Step 1: Preparing Your Submission

Before submitting your tool, gather the necessary information and materials. This includes:

  • Story Creation Resource Name: The official name of your tool, CMS, or platform.
  • Type: Categorize your submission as a Story Creation Tool, CMS, Platform, or Other.
  • URL: Provide the URL to your tool's website or platform.
  • Image: A high-quality screenshot of your resource’s editor window (minimum 800x400 pixels) in JPEG, PNG, or SVG format. This image will appear on the Tools page, so make it visually appealing and representative of your tool.
  • Description: A concise description (maximum 100 characters) of your tool. This description should highlight the key features and benefits of your tool and entice users to learn more.
  • List of Stories: Prepare a list of 10 Web Stories created with your tool. These stories are crucial for demonstrating the tool's capabilities and ensuring it produces valid AMP stories. Each story must meet specific criteria, which we'll cover in detail below.

Step 2: Meeting the Web Story Criteria

The 10 Web Stories you submit are a critical part of your application. They serve as a practical demonstration of your tool's capabilities and adherence to AMP's standards. Each story must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of 7 Pages: Each story should have at least seven pages to showcase the storytelling potential of your tool.
  • At Least 4 Images: Incorporate at least four images to demonstrate the tool's image handling capabilities and visual richness.
  • At Least 2 Videos: Include at least two videos to showcase the tool's video integration and multimedia support.
  • At Least Four Pages with Text: Ensure that at least four pages have some text to demonstrate the tool's text formatting and typography options.

These criteria ensure that the submitted stories are comprehensive and demonstrate the full potential of your tool.

Step 3: Ensuring AMP Validation

Validation is key to ensuring your stories are displayed correctly and perform optimally within the AMP ecosystem. This is where the AMP Linter comes in handy. The AMP Linter is a powerful tool that checks your Web Stories for compliance with AMP's specifications.

Before submitting your application, run all 10 Web Stories through the AMP Linter. This will help you identify and fix any issues that might prevent your stories from validating. Common validation errors include incorrect markup, missing attributes, or unsupported features. Addressing these issues proactively will significantly increase your chances of a successful submission.

Step 4: Submitting Your Request

Once you have gathered all the necessary information, prepared your Web Stories, and ensured they pass the AMP Linter tests, you are ready to submit your request. The submission process typically involves filling out a form or template provided by the AMP project.

This template will likely include fields for all the information mentioned in Step 1, such as your tool's name, type, URL, image, description, and the list of Web Stories. Be sure to provide accurate and complete information to avoid delays in the review process.

Step 5: Addressing Feedback and Iterating

After submitting your request, the AMP team will review your application and Web Stories. They may provide feedback or request changes if any issues are identified. It's important to be responsive to this feedback and address any concerns promptly.

The AMP team might provide feedback directly on the issue created for your request. This feedback could range from minor tweaks to more significant changes in your stories or tool. Addressing this feedback diligently demonstrates your commitment to quality and increases your chances of approval.

Step 6: Maintaining Your Listing

Even after your tool is listed on amp.dev, it's essential to maintain its quality and compliance with AMP standards. The AMP project may periodically review listed tools and remove those that no longer meet the criteria.

To maintain your listing, stay up-to-date with the latest AMP specifications and best practices. Regularly test your tool with the AMP Linter and address any new issues that arise. Additionally, consider building features and guardrails into your tool that help story creators adhere to the Web Story Best Practices.

Tips for a Successful Submission

To increase your chances of a successful submission, consider the following tips:

  • Create High-Quality Web Stories: The quality of your submitted Web Stories is paramount. Ensure they are engaging, visually appealing, and tell compelling stories.
  • Follow AMP Best Practices: Adhere to AMP's guidelines and best practices for Web Stories. This includes optimizing images and videos, using appropriate markup, and ensuring accessibility.
  • Use the AMP Linter: The AMP Linter is your best friend. Use it early and often to identify and fix validation issues.
  • Provide Clear and Concise Information: When submitting your application, provide clear, concise, and accurate information about your tool.
  • Be Responsive to Feedback: Respond promptly and thoroughly to any feedback from the AMP team.
  • Showcase Diversity: Your list of 10 Web Stories should showcase a diverse range of topics, treatments, and styles to demonstrate the versatility of your tool.
  • Focus on User Experience: Build features into your tool that guide users towards creating high-quality, engaging stories that adhere to Web Story Best Practices.

Key Considerations for Your Tool

When developing or refining your story creation tool, keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Ease of Use: Make your tool intuitive and easy to use, even for users with limited technical expertise.
  • Flexibility and Customization: Offer a range of options for customization and design, allowing users to create unique and engaging stories.
  • Performance: Optimize your tool for performance to ensure that stories load quickly and run smoothly.
  • AMP Compliance: Ensure that your tool consistently produces valid AMP stories that meet AMP's specifications.
  • Integration with Other Platforms: Consider integrating your tool with other platforms and services to expand its reach and functionality.

Conclusion

Listing your story creation tool on amp.dev is a significant opportunity to gain visibility, credibility, and reach within the AMP ecosystem. By following the steps outlined in this guide, preparing high-quality Web Stories, and adhering to AMP's best practices, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful submission. Remember to stay proactive in maintaining your listing by keeping your tool up-to-date with the latest AMP specifications and addressing any feedback from the AMP team.

For more information about AMP and Web Stories, visit the official AMP Project website. Good luck, and happy story creating!