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All CollectionsFast Start Selling Systems - Module 5
What causes Google Merchant Center Suspensions?
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 11 months 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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