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What causes Google Merchant Center Suspensions?

To avoid a Google Merchant Center suspension, you want to do everything possible to stay onside of Google's rules.

Brad Milne avatar
Written by Brad Milne
Updated over a year ago

When you are setting up your store, you want to make sure you are doing everything possible to avoid a Google Merchant Center suspension.

If your store is suspended, it can be a frustrating process to get it unsuspended.

We've put together a helpful list of what you can do to minimize your chance of a suspension.

Inaccurate Information Across Different Platforms

This could include addresses, names, phone numbers, billing addresses, etc. You want to make sure everything matches.

  • Website

  • Social Media

  • Google Merchant Center

  • Google Ads

  • Google My Business

  • Shopify Settings

Lack of Trust From Google

  • No social media presence

  • Stock images on website

  • Generic About Us page

  • No phone number/ email presence on website

  • Contact Us page is not easily visible on website

  • Weak branding on website

  • No reviews on website

  • No trust badges on product page

  • Virtual address used (only exception is if you’ve used virtual address to incorporate LLC)

    • Remove any P.O box numbers (you can keep suite or bldg #)

Policies Set Up Incorrectly

  • Broad policies

  • Necessary policies missing from website

  • Copy/paste policies from other websites

  • Discrepancies between policies on website and policies on Google Merchant Center

  • Shipping policy transit times exceeding 10 business days (Google will assume you’re dropshipping)

    • Shipping times on website policy and GMC policy must be under 10 business days

Unrealistic / Misleading Information

  • Product compare at prices (Google considers this as misleading to customers)

  • Sitewide coupons

  • Misleading inventory quantities (1000 items in stock on Shopify backend)

Poor Website Experience

  • Broken links

  • Empty collections

  • Blurry images

  • Bad user exeperience

  • Very large images

  • Broad contact us page

  • No hyperlinks on emails/ phone numbers

  • Missing necessary contact info

    • Business address

    • Phone number (business hours included)

    • Email address

    • LLC, DBA (if applicable)

You can find all of the course modules on GMC suspensions here:

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