Solutions for Google Merchant Center Account Suspensions

Google Merchant Center (GMC) suspensions can have a major impact on your visibility across Google surfaces. This guide explains how to identify a suspension, correct the underlying issues, request a review, and prevent future suspensions.     

How to Identify a Google Merchant Center Suspension

Google provides multiple ways to confirm whether an account is suspended or at risk.

Where to See Suspension Notices

A. Alert Banner on the Merchant Center Homepage

• A red or orange banner appears at the top of your GMC interface if your account is suspended or has critical issues.
• Google also sends an email explaining the policies involved.

B. Need attention → View setup and policy issues

1. Go to Products > Need attention. 

2. In the Make these fixes to show products on Google section, click View setup and policy issues.

   

3. View account-level violations and instructions for fixing them.

Important Warning: Don’t Create New Accounts

Opening new Merchant Center accounts to bypass a suspension is treated as circumventing systems, one of Google’s most serious ("egregious") violations. This may result in:

• Immediate suspension of the new accounts
• Link-based enforcement against all associated accounts
• Long-term loss of eligibility

Always fix and appeal your existing account instead of creating new ones.

Submitting a Request for an Account Review

If your Google Merchant Center account is suspended, you must fix all issues before requesting a review. A well-prepared review increases the likelihood of reinstatement.

Before You Submit the Review Request

Before submitting your request, ensure that you have:

A. Diagnosed All Account Issues

• Read the suspension email carefully.
• Go to Products > Needs attention > View setup and policy issues to identify each violation.
• Review the policy references (e.g., Misrepresentation, Missing policies, Invalid business info).

B. Completed All Required Fixes

Bring both your website and Merchant Center settings into full compliance. Examples include:

• Adding a clear return/refund policy
• Adding complete contact information
• Providing accurate shipping rates and delivery times
• Ensuring product data matches your website
• Removing misleading or non-compliant content

C. Prepared Supporting Information

Although uploads are not required, Google expects a detailed, accurate explanation. Prepare:

• A short root-cause explanation
• A clear list of all corrections you made
• Optional evidence of business legitimacy, such as:
  • Business registration
  • Brand/license authorization
  • Customer service channels
  • Accurate policy pages

A strong written explanation significantly increases the approval rate.

Submitting the Review Request

Once all fixes are complete, submit your review through the official methods:

A. Requesting a Review via Merchant Center

1. Go to Products > Needs attention > View setup and policy issues.
2. Locate the account-level issue and click I fixed the issue. 
3. In the pop-up window, check I confirm that I’ve fixed the issue and click Request review to submit the request.

B. Using the Review Form from Google’s Email or Help Center

• Your suspension email may include a link to an appeal form.
• Depending on the issue, Google may direct you to a specific review/appeal page.
• Follow the prompts and enter the same information as above.

After Submission

• Google typically reviews requests within a few days, but timelines may vary.
• Approval is not guaranteed—Google may deny the request if issues are still present.

Best Practices to Prevent GMC Account Suspensions

To reduce the risk of Google Merchant Center (GMC) account suspensions, your website and product data must consistently meet Google’s Business Information, Shopping Ads, and Misrepresentation policies. Google prioritizes transparency, accuracy, and a trustworthy shopping experience.

Here are the best practices based on Google's guidelines:

Product authenticity

Ensure that the products listed in GMC accurately reflect the items you sell. All product data must match your website, including:

• titles and descriptions
• images
• pricing and promotions
• variant information
• availability (in stock, out of stock, preorder dates)

Misleading or inconsistent information may trigger account-level enforcement.

Content accuracy

Provide clear, truthful, and complete information about your business and products. Avoid:

• exaggerated or unverifiable claims
• missing or ambiguous product details
• hidden fees or conditions
• misleading landing pages

Google’s Misrepresentation policy requires that all claims be accurate and supported.

Promotion transparency

All promotions must be real and verifiable. Ensure:

• promotional prices match the actual selling price
• the promotion period is valid
• terms and conditions are visible and clear
• discounts are not fabricated (e.g., fake  original" prices)

Promotions that mislead users can result in policy violations.

Review authenticity

Do not use:

• fabricated reviews
• paid or incentivized reviews
• imported reviews that misrepresent your business or products

Encourage genuine customer feedback instead.

After-sales transparency

Your website must provide reliable customer support and service. Ensure:

• your return/refund policy is complete and easy to find
• warranty or guarantee information is accurate
• customer service channels (email, phone, form) work properly

Non-functional customer support channels can cause misrepresentation flags.

By following these best practices, you can strengthen your GMC account compliance and significantly reduce the risk of suspension. It’s also important to regularly review your website and product data to ensure all information remains accurate and up to date.

Common Account Suspension Reasons and Solutions

Below are the most common account-level policy violations that lead to warnings or suspensions, along with the recommended solutions based on Google’s guidance.

• Missing return and refund policy:
  • Reason: Your website lacks a clear and accessible return/refund policy, or the information is incomplete. This is a core requirement under Google’s Business Information and Misrepresentation policies.
  • Suggested Solution: Publish a complete return/refund policy on your website with details such as:
    • eligibility criteria
    • timelines
    • return steps
    • conditions for refunds
    • return shipping responsibilities
• Incomplete or inaccurate shipping information:
  • Reason: Your website or GMC settings fail to provide clear shipping costs and delivery times.
  • Suggested Solution: 
    • Provide accurate shipping rates and estimated delivery times for each region.
    • Ensure your website shipping info matches your Merchant Center shipping settings.
    • Avoid hidden fees or inconsistent delivery estimates.
• Insufficient or unverifiable contact information:
  • Reason: Your website lacks reliable, visible contact information. Google requires at least one legitimate way for customers to reach you.
  • Solution: Include a Contact page with:
    • a valid email address  
    • and at least one of the following:
      • phone number
      • physical or business address
      • contact form
• Non-compliant or misleading content:
  • Reason: Violations may include:
    • counterfeit or prohibited products
    • misleading claims
    • hidden charges
    • suspicious redirects or malware
    • manipulated scarcity or urgency
    • adult or restricted content
    • untrustworthy business practices
  • Solution: 
    • Remove all violating content or products immediately.
    • Ensure product pages accurately represent what users receive.
    • Avoid deceptive claims, false endorsements, or manipulated reviews.

Common Product Violations and Solutions

These issues cause individual products to be disapproved. Product disapprovals do not always suspend the account, but consistent violations may impact account health.

• Violation of Shopping Ads policies: Remove or correct all violating products and ensure they comply with Google’s Shopping Ads and content policies before requesting re-approval.
• Product identification issues (GTIN / MPN / Brand):
  • Provide valid GTINs for products with manufacturer-assigned identifiers
  • Submit brand + MPN for products without GTINs
  • Validate GTINs using GS1 standards
  • Avoid fabricated or incorrect identifiers
• Missing or incorrect brand information:
  • Submit the correct brand name
  • Do not use placeholders ("N/A," "Generic," or your store name) unless applicable
• Excessive capitalization or promotional formatting:
  • Prevent using ALL CAPS from titles and descriptions
  • Avoid promotional language such as "SALE," "HOT DEAL," or repeated symbols
  • Follow Google’s editorial style guidelines
• Generic or placeholder images:
  • Use high-quality images showing the actual product. Avoid:
    • logos only
    • icons
    • “no image available” placeholders
    • irrelevant stock photos
• Promotional overlays on images: Replace images containing text like "Free Shipping," "50% OFF," watermarks, or decorative borders. Google prohibits promotional text or overlays on product images.
• Images too small or low-quality:
  • Upload new images that meet Google’s size requirements.
  • Ensure that both the image dimensions and file size comply with Google’s specifications.
• Invalid Google product category:
  • Provide correct Google product category information.
  • Provide specific category information where possible.
• Conflicting values (GTIN and Brand):
  • Ensure the GTIN corresponds to the correct brand
  • Verify with GS1 GEPIR or manufacturer data
  • Correct any mismatches in your feed and product pages
• Clothing & Accessories attribute issues:
  • Provide required attributes such as gender, size, color, and age group information.
  • Use standardized, Google-recognized values.

Update the relevant product data based on the solutions above to ensure your products are approved and can be shown to customers on Google. If you receive additional product warnings, please visit the Google Help Center for specific guidance and solutions.