Are you experiencing account suspension due to a “misrepresentation” issue in Google Merchant Center? You’re not alone. Many e-commerce merchants face this problem. These suspensions can be frustrating, as they can result in your ads being suspended and your business being harmed. But the good news is that by identifying the exact causes and taking effective steps to resolve them, you can get your account back on track.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the main Causes of Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation and provide a step-by-step guide to resolving them.
What Does Misrepresentation Mean in Google Merchant Center?
In Google Merchant Center, “misrepresentation” refers to when a user finds a discrepancy or inconsistency between the information provided on your website or in your ad feed. Google has created this policy to protect users and ensure a trustworthy advertising environment. According to Google, misrepresentation is any action or information that gives a misleading or false impression about a product sold through Google Shopping.
In simple terms, misrepresentation is the provision of false information about your business. It can be caused not only by intentional deception, but also by carelessness or accidental information. For example, if the price of a product on your website is different from the price in the Merchant Center data feed, it may be considered misrepresentation.
Common Causes of Misrepresentation Issues
Misrepresentation issues in Google Merchant Center can be caused by several reasons. Some of the main reasons are discussed in detail below:
Business Information & Transparency
Your business transparency is very important to Google. If there are any discrepancies or omissions in your business information, it can be one of the main reasons for misrepresentation.
Missing Contact Info:
It is essential to have a clear and effective ‘contact us’ page on your website. It is important to provide your business’s correct address, phone number, and an email address. A real-world example is that many new sellers only provide an email ID in the footer of their website, which is not sufficient according to Google’s policy. This can make Google consider your business unreliable.
Fake or Inaccurate Details:
If you use a fake address or phone number in your Merchant Center account or website, Google can quickly catch it. If your business does not have a physical address, it should be clearly stated on your website and Merchant Center.
Inconsistent Business Info:
The business information must match between your Merchant Center data feed, your website, and your Google My Business profile. For example, if your feed has your business address as Dhaka and your website has it as Chittagong, Google will mark this as an error.
Product Accuracy & Promotions
Inaccuracies or inconsistencies in product information and pricing are a common cause of misrepresentation.
Misleading Pricing:
Google may suspend your account if there is a discrepancy between the price of a product. This is a common mistake that many sellers make. Don’t forget to update the Merchant Center feed, especially when a product’s price changes.
Outdated Promotions:
If your website is showing a discount or promotion that has expired, but your Google Shopping Ads are still showing that offer, that’s considered a misrepresentation. You should update your offers regularly.
Inaccurate Data:
Product descriptions, images, or stock information that are incorrect may be considered misleading by Google. If a product is out of stock, the product’s status (availability) in the Merchant Center should be updated as out of stock.
Website and Customer Experience
Your website quality and customer experience are very important to Google.
Poor Website Quality:
If your website isn’t easy to use, the design is unorganized and unprofessional, or your site’s loading speed is too slow, Google may consider your business unreliable.
Missing Return/Refund Policy:
It is vital to have a clear and concise return and refund policy on your website. It is part of Google’s policy to ensure that customers are aware of their rights.
Weak Trust Signals:
Having an SSL certificate, accurate contact information, and customer reviews are essential to gaining customer trust on your website. These trust signals make your business appear credible in the eyes of Google.
Prohibited Products & Misleading Claims
Some products and some claims go against Google’s policy, which may be considered misrepresentation.
- Counterfeit Goods: Selling counterfeit products is a serious violation of Google’s policy. Google’s system is very powerful in detecting fake products.
- Health Misinformation: When selling health-related products, such as drugs or health-supplements, false or exaggerated health claims should not be made.
- Prohibited Products: Certain products, such as explosives, weapons or certain types of weapons, are strictly prohibited from being sold on Google Shopping. Advertising such products may result in immediate suspension of your account.
Download our free Google Merchant Misrepresentation PDF Checklist to audit your store and stay compliant.
How to Fix Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation Issues
Misrepresentation problems can be solved if you follow a step-by-step procedure.
- Identify the source of the problem: Go to the “diagnostics” tab of your Merchant Center account to see if Google has suspended your account for a specific issue. This will help you focus on the right place.
- Modify data and websites:
- Correct information discrepancies between your website and Merchant Center. Recheck product price, stock, and details.
- Ensure that all information on your website, such as your address, phone number, and email ID, is correct and complete.
- Keep your return and refund policy clear and easy to find.
- Appeal the suspension: When you’ve resolved all issues, submit an appeal using the “Request review” or “Appeals” option in the Merchant Center. Include a brief explanation of all changes you made with your appeal.
- Wait for review again: Google will review your appeal. This process usually takes a few days. If your appeal is successful, your account will be reactivated.
You can read our blog How to Fix Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation, where we have discussed it in detail with a practical guide.
Preventing Future Misrepresentation Suspensions
To avoid future misrepresentation suspensions, you can take some proactive steps. This will not only help you avoid suspension but also increase the credibility of your business.
- Regularly Monitor Data Feed: Regularly check for consistency between your product data feed and your website information. You can use automatic feed updates.
- Provide Complete Contact Info: Confirm the phone number, email and a physical address (or a clear address depending on the type of business) on your website.
- Improve Trust Signals: Gain customer trust through SSL certificates, customer reviews, and clear policies on your website.
- Comply with Legal Policies: Comply with all legal and local regulations of your business, such as GDPR or consumer protection laws.
- Upload New Product Data Carefully: While adding new products, make sure to fill in their description, image and price correctly.
FAQs about Causes of Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation
Can Google suspend your account for a policy violation?
Yes, Google reserves the right to suspend accounts that violate its policies. Misrepresentation is a serious violation, which usually leads to swift suspension.
Why are my products disapproved of by Google Merchant Center?
Your product may be disapproved of for various reasons. The main reasons are: incorrect prices, incorrect images, or incomplete information in the data feed. Sometimes this can be an early indication of misrepresentation.
Need Professional Help Fixing Merchant Center Misrepresentation?
If you don’t have the time to deal with all these things or find the process complicated, getting professional help can be a good solution. A wrong move can lead to permanent suspension of your account.
At EcomHustle, we help businesses fix Merchant Center suspensions and get their ads running again. Contact us today for expert support.
