Google Merchant Center Suspension: Common Errors and Fixes

appurvk
Jul 21
4 min read

If your Google Merchant Center (GMC) account has been suspended, you're not alone. Merchant Center suspensions are one of the most frustrating roadblocks for eCommerce businesses running Google Shopping ads. The worst part? Google’s suspension notices are often vague, leaving you with more questions than answers.

In this blog, we’ll cover the most common reasons for Google Merchant Center suspensions—and more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Misrepresentation of Self or Products

What it means: Google’s goal is to maintain a trustworthy shopping experience. If your site or product listings give users a misleading impression—intentionally or not—it can trigger a "Misrepresentation" suspension.

Common issues:

Using overly aggressive marketing language ("Best deal on the internet!")
Showing extreme or fake discounts (e.g., “70% off” without evidence of original price)
Missing critical pages like About Us, Contact, Shipping, or Return Policy
Claiming authenticity (e.g., “100% genuine”) without providing verification or using unauthorized brand names

How to fix it:

Add a transparent About Us page detailing who you are, your business location, and what you sell
Include clear and accessible Return, Refund, and Shipping Policies
Avoid deceptive marketing or unverifiable superlatives in your product descriptions
Make sure your business name, domain name, and legal entity match across platforms

Pro Tip: Google views “trust signals” very seriously. Adding a professional email address, phone number, and detailed company profile helps build credibility in the eyes of both Google and shoppers.

2. Inaccurate or Incomplete Product Data

What it means: Google expects your product feed to match your website 100%. Any mismatch in price, availability, or product details can lead to a suspension—even if it’s just a temporary sync issue.

Common issues:

Prices or availability in the product feed differ from the live website
Missing required fields like GTIN, brand, or condition
Using incorrect product categories or failing to use Google’s taxonomy
Submitting poor-quality or placeholder images

How to fix it:

Use a reliable product feed integration (e.g., Shopify’s Google & YouTube channel, Feedonomics, or DataFeedWatch) to keep your listings synced
Ensure every product includes accurate title, description, price, condition, and availability
Follow Google’s structured data requirements for image quality, unique IDs, and categorization

Pro Tip: Regularly check your Diagnostics tab in Merchant Center for data mismatches, disapprovals, and warnings. Even a few flagged products can affect your entire account status.

3. Website Doesn’t Meet Google’s Standards

What it means: Google requires that landing pages offer a good user experience and meet technical, editorial, and security standards. If your website doesn’t load properly, lacks basic functionality, or appears low quality, it can result in a suspension.

Common issues:

Slow-loading or broken website (especially on mobile)
No SSL certificate (your site must be HTTPS)
Hard-to-navigate layouts or excessive pop-ups
Dead links, missing product pages, or duplicate content

How to fix it:

Run your website through PageSpeed Insights to improve performance
Secure your domain with an active SSL certificate
Ensure the site is mobile-responsive and free of broken links or 404 errors
Keep product pages clean, easy to read, and free of excessive advertising

Pro Tip: User experience is a major trust factor. If a shopper wouldn’t feel confident buying from your site, Google likely won’t either.

4. Policy Violations (Prohibited Content or Services)

What it means: Google enforces strict rules about what you can (and can’t) promote on its platforms. Violating these policies—even unintentionally—can result in an immediate suspension.

Common issues:

Selling prohibited items like weapons, tobacco, or counterfeit goods
Promoting restricted products (e.g., alcohol, supplements, medical devices) without proper certifications or disclaimers
Healthcare-related suspensions due to misleading medical claims, especially for supplements, skin treatments, or wellness devices that promise unproven results (e.g. "cures anxiety" or "burns fat instantly")

How to fix it:

Review the full Google Shopping ads policies
Carefully check all healthcare and supplement product listings for compliant language
Avoid words like "cure," "guaranteed," or "safe alternative" unless backed by authoritative evidence
Remove or reword any claims that suggest a product can diagnose, treat, or prevent a medical condition

Pro Tip: Even if your healthcare product is legal to sell, Google may still suspend your account if your landing pages or product feed include promotional language that violates medical advertising policies.

5. Unverified or Incomplete Business Information

What it means: Google requires all advertisers to verify their business identity and demonstrate a trustworthy presence. Missing or inconsistent information can result in account holds or suspensions.

Common issues:

Incomplete Business information section in Google Merchant Center
Domain ownership not verified through Search Console or Tag Manager
Mismatched or vague business name, phone number, or address
Business name in Merchant Center doesn’t match what’s shown on your website

How to fix it:

Complete all fields in Merchant Center > Business Information
Use Google Search Console to verify your domain
Make sure your business name, support email, and physical address are clearly listed on your site and match your Google accounts

Pro Tip: Treat your Merchant Center profile like a public business listing. Google cross-checks this info to ensure legitimacy, especially when reviewing appeals or reinstatements.

What to Do If You’re Already Suspended

If your account is already suspended, take a structured approach:

Identify the exact issue using the Diagnostics tab in Merchant Center.
Fix all errors and site issues, not just the ones listed.
Request a review—only after you're confident everything complies.
Don’t spam reviews—wait until changes are actually implemented before reapplying.

Still stuck or got rejected again? That’s where an expert can help.

Stay Compliant with Help from the People Who Wrote the Rules

XafeAds is run by ex-Googlers who helped build the very policies that now govern Google Ads and Merchant Center. We know exactly what triggers suspensions—and how to avoid them.

🚫 Stop guessing. ✅ Start protecting your account.

We offer: