Google Shopping Ads Not Showing? 15 Common Issues and Expert Solutions

Google Shopping ads not showing—This is the name of a problem that thousands of e-commerce merchants search for on Google every month. But you know what? 76% of retail ad spend is on Google Shopping, but still, 40% of campaigns suffer from visibility issues

We have successfully resolved 3000+ suspension and ad issues as Google Merchant Center specialists, so I know where the problem is and how to solve it quickly.

In this guide, you will learn why ads aren’t showing when running a Google Shopping campaign and how to solve all the problems with 15 proven solutions.

Know the solutions without delay –You’re Losing Sales, But Competitors Are Ruling Google Shopping!

5-minute Diagnostic Checklist for Google Shopping Ads Not Showing

90% of Google Shopping ad visibility problems are hidden here!  Check this checklist in 5 minutes to see where there are problems and where immediate action is needed.

Take only 5 minutes! Identify each problem and know when to solve it.

Quick Fix Checklist: Identify problems

1. Is the Merchant Center account claimed and verified?
    → Critical – If you don’t, the ad won’t show.

2. Is the Google Ads account linked to Merchant Center?
    → High Priority – Shopping campaigns will not work on unlinked accounts.

3. Are the products approved? Is there anything disapproved?
       → Immediate Action – Disapproved product means Zero Impression.

4. Is the campaign active? Is the budget adequate?
    → High Priority – Ads will not be shown if paused or Low Budget.

5. Are the bids competitive?
    Optimisation Alert – Low bid will not show your ads.

Tips: If you have at least one of these issues, your Google Shopping campaign will have no or very few impressions. So check each step immediately and fix it!

Google Merchant Center Suspension and other Common Problems with Solutions

Merchant Center must be in perfect working order for Google Shopping ads to run. But sometimes this is where the biggest problems occur — account suspensions, website verification issues, linking problems, feed upload errors, or product disapprovals. Let’s analyze them one by one.

Issue #1: Account Suspension / Policy Violations

Problem Type:
“Your Merchant Center account has been suspended due to policy violation” — Many people get this message, but don’t understand what they did wrong.

Symptoms:

• Ads don’t show at all
• Suspension notice in red color on the account
• Email comes from Google with “Policy Violation”.

Root cause:

• Misrepresentation of self or products
• Inaccurate return/shipping/refund policy
• Unsecure checkout
• Fake offers on site, out-of-stock products

Solution (Step-by-step):

1. Read Google’s Misrepresentation Policy carefully
2. Add About Us, Contact, Refund, Return, and Shipping pages to the website
3. Ensure SSL (HTTPS).
4. Remove out-of-stock or misleading products
5. Appeal: Merchant Center > Overview >  Request Review

Prevention:

• Regular website updates
• Stay tuned for Google policy updates
• Do a monthly audit using EcomHustle’s Suspension Recovery service

Issue #2: Unverified or Unclaimed Website

Problem Type: Website not claimed or verified

Symptoms:

• Products disapproved
• Shopping ads are not running
• Linking error shows

Root cause:

• You have not provided proof of ownership of the website
• Tag Manager or DNS verification is not correct

Solution:

1. Google Merchant Center > Business info > Website → Verify & Claim
2. Verify through any of the following:
    📍 HTML file upload
    📍 Meta tag
    📍 Google Tag Manager
    📍 Domain provider (DNS record)
3. Then click on the Claim button

Prevention:

• Re-verify if website changes
• Don’t claim the same site in multiple Google accounts

Issue #3: Google Ads Account Linking Problems

Problem Type:
“Your Google Ads account is not linked to Merchant Center”

Symptoms:

• Ads not showing even though campaign is active
• campaign settings: no linked Merchant Center error 

Root cause:

• Google Ads account not linked to Merchant Center
• Incorrect Google Ads CID used
  

Solution:

1. Google Merchant Center > Settings > Linked accounts
2. Enter “Link” with Google Ads CID
3. Go to the Admin account of Google Ads and approve the invite

Prevention:

• Link new account immediately after opening
• Be careful not to make CID copy-paste mistakes

Issue #4: Product Feed Upload Errors

Problem Type:
“Feed processing error” or “Missing attributes”

Symptoms:

• Product status shows Disapproved
• “Missing required attribute: GTIN / Image link / Price”
  

Root cause:

• The information is not provided properly according to the Google Feed Specification
• File format or schedule problem
• Image URL invalid

Solution:

1. Go to Google Merchant Center > Products > Feeds > Diagnostics
2. Check the details of the issues that appear in the “Issues” tab
3. Check by changing the feed schedule and uploading manually
4. Follow Google’s Product Data Specification Guide

Prevention:

• Use the Google Sheet template when creating your feed
• Image hosting should be SSL-encrypted (https://)

Issue #5: Bulk Product Disapprovals

Problem Type:
“Multiple items disapproved” or “Item-level issues”

Symptoms:

• Disapprove of many products together
• Sales impression is completely stopped

Root cause:

• Brand, GTIN, or MPN not provided
• Image broken
• Pricing mismatch

Solution:

1. Google Merchant Center > Products > All Products > Filter by “Disapproved”
2. Find each product issue separately
3. Feed or manually update the attribute
4. Click on “Request review” if you want manual review

Prevention:

• Use accurate product titles, descriptions, and attributes
• Keep Image name and Alt tag correct
• Enable automatic feed update (Shopify, WooCommerce plugin)
  

Case study example:
One of our clients had 175 products disapproved at once due to GTIN and pricing mismatch. We performed a feed audit within 24 hours and updated using a Google Sheet template, and within 48 hours all products were approved and back on sale.

Product Feed Optimization Problems and Solutions (Data Quality Matters!)

To be successful on Google Shopping, you don’t just have to run ads, product feed optimisation is the real game! Incorrect information, bad images, wrong categories—if the feed isn’t optimized, your ad won’t even show up, and you risk getting disapproved.

Here are 5 common and serious Product Feed problems and practical solutions to overcome them.

Issue #6: Missing Required Fields (ID, Title, Price)

Problem Type:
“Missing required attribute: id/title / price”

Symptoms:

• Feed upload error
• Product disapproved
• Impression = 0

Root cause:

• Feed structure is average
• Not pulling the correct data from Shopify/WooCommerce

Solution (Feed Snippet Before/After):

Prevention:

• Check the Google Feed Specification regularly
• Use feed generator tools (Shopify, DataFeedWatch, Channable)

Issue #7: Price / Availability Mismatches

Problem Type:
“Price mismatch between feed and landing page”

Symptoms:

• Product disapproved
• Frequent Google bot crawling errors
• Feed warning

Root cause:

• The price on the landing page does not match the feed
• Caching issue or plugin conflict

Solution:

1. Feed update schedule set: (hourly or daily)
2. Keep “auto-sync” active if using Shopify/WooCommerce plugin
3. Check the schema with Google Structured Data Testing Tool

Issue #8: Poor Image Quality / Requirements

Problem Type:
“Invalid image link” or “Image too small”

Symptoms:

• Image not rendering in Google
• Warning: “Low-quality image”

Root cause:

• Image size < 100×100 pixels
• Watermarked or blurry images
• HTTP link (without SSL)

Solution:

• Image dimension: At least keep 800x800px  resolution
• Remove background clutter
• Use WebP or optimized JPEG format
• Image URL should be HTTPS

Before vs After Optimization:

Before:

• Image: 400×400
• Watermark: YES
• Background: Cluttered

After:

• Image: 1000×1000
• Watermark: NO
• Background: Clean white

Follow Image Optimization Guidelines – Google

Issue #9: GTIN / MPN Errors and Exemptions

Problem Type:
“Missing required attribute: GTIN or MPN”

Symptoms:

• Limited reach
• Product disapproved
• Coverage in Shopping Ads low

Root cause:

• GTIN is mandatory for branded products
• Exemption required if custom-made

Solution:

• Add real GTIN (UPC/EAN) for branded products
• In case of custom or handmade products give exemption as follows:

Tip: Each product must have either GTIN, MPN + brand, or exemption.

• Follow GTIN Guidelines – Google

Issue #10: Incorrect Product Categorization

Problem Type:
“Invalid Google Product Category” or wrong category mapping

Symptoms:

• Lower relevance
• Poor CTR
• Shopping ad shows irrelevant searches

Root cause:

• Use of generic or vague categories
• Shopify tags entered the feed incorrectly

Solution:

1. Find the right category from Google Product Taxonomy
2. Add to feed like this

<g:google_product_category>Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear > Jackets</g:google_product_category>

1. Shopify/Woo tag mapping—by product type or collection

Validation & Testing Tools

• Google Merchant Center Feed Rules
• Structured Data Testing Tool (Legacy)
• Rich Results Test
• Feed Optimization Plugin: DataFeedWatch, GoDataFeed

Campaign & Bidding Issues and the Right Google Shopping Bidding Strategy

A well-optimized Google Shopping campaign isn’t just about having a good feed—it’s impossible to succeed without the right bidding, budget, targeting, and campaign structure. Here are 5 key Google Shopping bidding pitfalls that many people overlook, but are where they fall short.

Issue #11: Insufficient Bids / Budget Constraints

Problem Type:
“Your ad is not competitive enough to appear”

Symptoms:

• Impressions are very few
• High impression share loss (budget or rank)
• Google Ads reports show “limited by budget”.

Root cause:

• Daily budget is very low
• Max CPC (cost-per-click) is uncompetitive

Solution:

• According to search volume keep a budget $15–$50/day
• For high-converting products, set Max CPC ≥ $0.50–$1.00 
• Adjust bids by looking at “Top of page bid” or “benchmark CPC”.

Tips: Using ROAS bidding in Performance Max campaigns is further optimized.

Issue #12: Poor Campaign Structure

Problem Type:
“Low-performing products draining budget”

Symptoms:

• High spend, low ROAS
• No control over individual product performance

Root cause:

• All products in one campaign
• No segmentation
• No custom label or priority structure

Solution:

• Segment campaigns according to best practices:
  
  • High-margin products
  • Seasonal items
  • Clearance/low performers
    
• Use Custom Labels (e.g., label_0 = high_margin)
• Campaign Priority: Low (generic), Medium (branded), High (best sellers)
  

Example Campaign Structure:

Issue #13: Location / Audience Targeting Problems

Problem Type:
“Ads not showing in desired region”

Symptoms:

• Traffic is international only
• Conversion rate mismatch
• Audience overlap

Root cause:

• Location setting is wrong
• “Presence or interest” option is enabled
• Audience signals are not given properly

Solution:

1. Google Ads > Campaign > Locations > Change targeting to “Presence: People in or regularly in your targeted location”
2. Uncheck “presence or interest” if you’re running local campaigns
3. Add Audience Signals (PMax campaigns):
     - Past purchasers
     - Website visitors
     - Cart abandoners

Tips: Keep Enhanced Conversions Active if you have Shopify or WooCommerce integration.

Issue #14: Wrong Bidding Strategy Selection

Problem Type:
“Low ROAS or zero conversions despite clicks”

Symptoms:

• Excessive CPC
• Zero sales or poor ROI
• Irrelevant traffic

Root cause:

• Manual CPC is running but data-driven strategy is needed
• ROAS target mismatch
• Smart bidding in new campaign without enough data

Solution:

• If the new campaign is:
    ➡️ Manual CPC → Maximize Clicks → tROAS (after 20–30 conversions)
• If high-converting:
    ➡️ tROAS (Target ROAS): 200%–300% in the beginning, adjust later
• If the experimental campaign is:
    ➡️ Create A/B experiments (Campaign Experiments tab)

Bidding Ladder Example:

Issue #15: High Competition / Market Saturation

Problem Type:
“My ad never shows up for competitive products”

Symptoms:

• High CPC
• Impressions dropping
• Competitor ads outranking

Root cause:

• Oversaturated category
• Big brands dominating
• No unique offer or value

Solution:

• Niche targeting: long-tail keywords > generic terms
• Activate merchant promotions (free shipping, coupon code)
• Better visuals + trust signals (reviews, product ratings)
• Enable Dayparting (time-based ad schedule)
• Use audience exclusions to refine traffic

Tips: View Auction Insight reports—analyze who’s losing to whom and strategize.

Industry Insight:

Currently, CPCs are rising to $0.70–$1.20 per click in the “Apparel”, “Home & Kitchen”, and “Gadgets” categories. According to Google, to increase ROAS, you need to ensure product margin, offer, and audience match.

Prevention & Monitoring

A solid Google Shopping strategy doesn’t stop at fixing problems—it’s about preventing them in the first place. Effective shopping ads management includes real-time monitoring, proactive optimization, and compliance with evolving platform policies.

Automated Monitoring & Alerts

Use tools like Google Merchant Center Diagnostics and custom Google Data Studio dashboards to set up alerts for feed disapprovals, pricing mismatches, and account issues. Automation ensures that you’re notified before a minor issue becomes a major revenue drop.

Scheduled Feed Optimization

Implement a feed optimization calendar—weekly for high-volume stores, bi-weekly for small catalogs. This helps keep product titles, pricing, availability, and categories up to date. Tools like Feedonomics, DataFeedWatch, or GoDataFeed allow dynamic syncing with your eCommerce platform.

Benchmarking & KPI Tracking

Track key metrics such as CTR, ROAS, and impression share using Google Ads and Google Analytics. Compare your performance against competitors using Auction Insights or benchmarking tools like SEMrush PLA Research.

Proactive Policy Compliance

Regularly review Google’s Merchant Center policies and Shopping Ads guidelines. Implement schema markup updates and feed rules to stay ahead of algorithm changes. EcomHustle helps clients avoid suspensions by staying compliant and adaptive.

Tip: Prevention is more cost-effective than troubleshooting. Let automation handle the alerts—focus your time on scaling what works.

Expert Tips & Advanced Solutions

Once your Shopping campaigns are stable, it’s time to go beyond the basics. Here are advanced tactics top-performing brands use to win the auction.

Leverage Smart Segmentation

Break your feed into product groups based on profitability, inventory levels, or seasonal performance. This allows you to apply differentiated bidding and get more granular insights.

Use Competitive Intelligence

Tools like PriceSpy, Prisync, or Google’s Auction Insights reveal where you’re overbidding or undercut by rivals. Adjust pricing and bids dynamically to maintain a competitive edge.

Optimize Feed with External Data

Combine feed data with reviews, ratings, inventory turnover, or margin insights. Use custom labels to assign bidding priorities based on business impact—not just CTR.

Enterprise-Level Automation

For scaling merchants, consider server-side feed management and rule-based bidding scripts that adjust in real time. EcomHustle implements AI-enhanced feed optimization for brands spending $50k+ monthly on ads.

Pro Insight: Advanced optimization = more control, less waste, and faster scale.

Conclusion

Fixing errors in Google Shopping is just the beginning. To truly succeed, you need an ongoing strategy of monitoring, optimization, and competitive adaptation.

Let’s recap the key areas:

• Clean up your product feed: Titles, prices, GTINs, and categories matter.
• Fix account-level issues: Disapprovals, shipping/tax misconfigurations, and policy violations can hurt your visibility.
• Structure your campaigns correctly: Budget, targeting, and bidding should align with your product goals.
• Monitor and adapt: Use automation and benchmarking to stay ahead of changes.
  

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start—EcomHustle is here to help. We specialize in Google Shopping optimization for growing eCommerce brands, with services that cover everything from feed audits to advanced bidding and AI-driven campaign scaling.

Ready to fix and scale your Shopping Ads?
Contact EcomHustle now or schedule a free 30-minute consultation to get a personalized optimization roadmap.