Many online sellers experience a sudden stop in sales due to their Google Merchant Center (GMC) account being suspended. The root cause is usually a few common violations such as misrepresentation, inaccurate product data (data mismatch), missing policies (no return or shipping policies), and prohibited products.
In this guide, I will explain in simple terms the most common Google Shopping policy issues and how to fix them step by step. This will not only help you understand account disapproval reasons, but also help you avoid suspension and continue selling without interruption.
What Are Google Merchant Center Policy Violations?
Google Merchant Center policy violations mean that your product data, website, or business information does not comply with Google Shopping policies. When such issues are detected, Google may suspend your GMC account or disapprove your products.
The most common violations are:
- Misrepresentation (false information/deceptive content): Such as offering false discounts, incomplete or misleading product details.
- Inaccurate Product Data: Price, stock or shipping mismatch in product feed with website.
- Missing Policy Information: Not providing contact info, return policy, or shipping details clearly on the website.
- Technical Errors: Broken links, placeholder text or site not loading.
- Prohibited Products: Selling counterfeit or prohibited products.
- Invalid GTINs: Not providing the correct Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) for the product.
- Unverified Website: Not claiming or verifying your website in Merchant Center.
Why Google Enforces Policies
Google’s main goal is to maintain user trust and ensure fair competition. When a customer uses Google Shopping, they want to see accurate prices, stock, and policies. That’s why Google regularly enforces policies to ensure a better shopping experience for shoppers.
If you already have problems with your account, you can read our Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation Fix Guide.
Common Google Merchant Center Policy Violations
Many sellers make some common mistakes when using Google Merchant Center (GMC), which leads to account suspension or product disapproval. Below are the most important violations explained in detail and why it is important to avoid them.
Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is one of the most serious and common violations. Simply put, when a seller misleads a buyer and provides incorrect or incomplete information, Google considers it a misrepresentation.
Example:
- Showing fake or bogus discounts (eg, showing “50% OFF” but never actually sold at that price before).
- Providing incomplete product details (eg, concealing size, features or model number).
- Exaggerated or misleading claims (“100% guaranteed results” etc.).
According to Google, this type of false advertising erodes GMC user trust and harms the shopping experience. In real-world experience, many e-commerce businesses have faced account suspensions due to misrepresentation.
Solution: Provide clear and truthful information. All discounts must be substantiated and product details must be complete.
Inaccurate Product Data
Inaccurate product data means when there is a discrepancy between the information on your website and the GMC product feed.
Common mismatch:
- The price is $50 on the website but $55 on the feed.
- Product Out of Stock on website, but showing In Stock on the feed.
- Variations in shipping charges or delivery times.
This type of mismatch is not only a Google Shopping policy issue, but also creates a negative customer experience.
If you ask? How to fix product data mismatch Google Merchant Center → Update the feed regularly and keep it in sync with the website. It is most effective to use automated feed management tools for this.
Missing Policy Information
A business’s transparency is best understood from its policy pages. If your site doesn’t have contact info, shipping details, or a return/refund policy, Google sees it as a violation.
Problem:
- There is no contact page on the website.
- Return/refund policy not written or unclear.
- Shipping cost and delivery timeline are not mentioned.
Solution: Create clear policy page and link in footer or menu. Our Google Shopping Feed Errors Fixes provides tips on how to fix these errors.
Website Technical Issues
Google doesn’t like websites with broken links, placeholder text, or pages that don’t load properly. These degrade the user experience and increase the risk of GMC suspension.
Problem Type:
- 404 broken pages
- The “lore itself” or placeholder content
- Very slow loading website
Solution: Audit the site regularly, fix all broken links and make the website mobile-friendly.
Prohibited Products
Google expressly prohibits certain products. Selling them may get your account suspended immediately.
Example:
- Counterfeit products
- Unapproved supplements
- Firearms, drugs or other banned products
Solution: Before selling, read Google’s Google Merchant Center policies carefully and make sure your product is approved.
Missing or Invalid GTINs
Google requires that each product has a correct and unique GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). Without a GTIN, Google cannot properly recognize the product, resulting in feed disapproval.
Problem:
- The product does not have a GTIN.
- Wrong or duplicate GTIN provided.
Solution: Collect the correct GTIN and update it in the product feed.
Unverified Website
It is considered a policy violation if the website is not claimed and verified in Google Merchant Center. Without a verified website, you cannot launch the product.
Solution: Go to GMC dashboard → Business Information, claim the website and verify with HTML tag or Google Analytics.
If you want to know more, you can check out our Fix Google Merchant Center Suspension Guide.
How to Fix Google Merchant Center Violations (Step-by-Step)
Fixing a Google Merchant Center (GMC) policy violation may feel overwhelming, but the process becomes easier when you follow a structured, step-by-step approach. Here’s a clear action plan that not only helps you resolve issues but also prevents future suspensions.
Step 1 – Identify the Violation
The first step is to diagnose the exact reason for your account suspension or product disapproval.
- Go to the Diagnostics tab in Google Merchant Center.
- Here, you’ll see a detailed list of errors such as misrepresentation, inaccurate product data, or missing GTINs.
- Each violation usually comes with an explanation, error count, and affected items.
Example: If you see “Price mismatch between feed and landing page,” it means your product feed price doesn’t match what’s displayed on your website.
Step 2 – Implement Corrective Actions
Once you know the violation, the next step is to take corrective measures. Depending on the type of violation, actions may include:
Update product data
- Ensure pricing, stock availability, and product descriptions match your website.
- Fix issues flagged in the feed, such as wrong shipping cost or currency errors.
Provide clear policy pages
- Add a visible Contact page with a working email, phone number, or form.
- Ensure your Return policy and Shipping policy are accessible and transparent.
- Use structured data markup where possible for better crawling.
Verify your website
- Claim your domain in Google Merchant Center.
- Verify ownership using HTML tag, Google Analytics, or Google Tag Manager.
Fix GTINs and product identifiers
- Add valid GTINs/MPNs/Brand info to products.
- For custom products without GTINs, mark them as “custom product.”
These steps fall under Google Merchant Center corrective actions.
Step 3 – Submit for Review
After fixing the violations, you must request a manual review from Google.
- Go to your Merchant Center dashboard.
- Navigate to the Account Issues section.
- Click Request Review.
- Add a brief note explaining the corrective actions you took.
Reviews usually take 3–5 business days. If successful, your products will be re-approved.
Step 4 – Contact Google Support
If your appeal gets denied or you face repeated suspensions, escalate the issue by contacting Google Merchant Center Support.
- Use the Help icon inside GMC to access live chat, email, or callback options.
- Provide screenshots of your updated policies, product feed, and technical fixes.
- Be clear and professional—Google support teams often resolve tricky issues faster when documentation is solid.
Step 5 – Stay Updated with Policies
Fixing violations is only half the job staying compliant is the real key to long-term success.
- Regularly review the Google Merchant Center Policy Page.
- Subscribe to Google’s policy update emails.
- In 2025, Google has become stricter on:
- Misrepresentation (especially fake discounts)
- GTIN accuracy for global shopping ads
- Policy transparency (returns, shipping, customer service)
Set a quarterly audit routine for your product feed and website to avoid sudden suspensions.
FAQs about Google Marchant Center Policy Violation
How do I fix a Google policy violation?
To fix a Google policy violation, first identify the exact issue from the Google Merchant Center Diagnostics tab. Then, correct the problem whether it’s misrepresentation, missing policies, or invalid GTINs and submit your account for review.
Can Google suspend your account for policy violation?
Yes. Google can suspend your Merchant Center account if your business violates policies such as selling prohibited products, misrepresenting information, or failing to provide transparent return and shipping details.
What would violate Google’s terms of service?
Violations include false advertising, selling counterfeit goods, incomplete product information, missing contact details, and technical site issues. These fall under Google’s misrepresentation and prohibited practices.
How do you fix errors on Merchant Center?
You can fix errors by updating your product feed (pricing, stock, GTINs), adding clear return/shipping policies, verifying your domain, and correcting any technical issues. Finally, request a manual review to restore your account.
Pro Tips to Prevent Future Suspensions
Preventing violations is always better than fixing them. Here are proven strategies successful sellers use to keep their Merchant Center accounts compliant:
Run regular audits of your product feed
- Review your pricing, availability, and product descriptions weekly.
- Ensure they always match your website content.
Use automated feed syncing tools
- Tools like DataFeedWatch, GoDataFeed, or direct API syncing can automatically update product info across your website and GMC.
- This reduces human errors and prevents price mismatch issues.
Create a compliance checklist before submitting products
- Confirm product identifiers (GTIN/MPN/Brand) are valid.
- Double-check return, shipping, and contact policies are visible.
- Test your website for broken links or placeholder text.
Our expert team at EcomHustle provides ongoing feed monitoring, audit reports, and suspension prevention services. This ensures your Merchant Center account stays active and profitable without the risk of sudden downtime.
Conclusion
Google Merchant Center policy violations are common, but with the right approach, they’re fixable. Whether it’s misrepresentation, inaccurate data, or missing policies, every issue can be corrected by following a clear process—identify the error, fix it, request a review, and maintain compliance.
At Ecom Hustle, we’ve already helped 3,000+ ecommerce sellers recover their GMC accounts and scale their online stores. If your account is suspended or you want to protect it from future violations, our team is ready to assist.
Take action today: Recover your Merchant Center account with Ecom Hustle’s expert support.
