Google Merchant Center | Submitting an appeal after account suspension

Google Merchant Center (GMC) is a vital tool for online retailers to list products across Google Shopping, Google Search, and Google Images, helping merchants attract more customers and boost visibility. However, account suspensions can occur due to Google Shopping ads policy violations, product data quality issues, or signals of low website trust. This guide walks you through how to identify the suspension reason, resolve the underlying issues, and submit a Google Merchant Center appeal to restore your account and resume advertising.

Identifying the reason for suspension

Understanding why your account was suspended is the first step toward resolving the issue. Google typically provides a general explanation, but you’ll need to review account details carefully to find and fix the exact problem.

1. Check your Diagnostics tab: Go to your GMC admin and navigate to Products > Diagnostics > Item issues / Feed issues / Account issues. Review flagged items or messages to understand what's causing the suspension.

2. Review Google’s Shopping ads policies: Cross-check your product listings and website content against Google’s policy center  to identify violations related to prohibited products, misrepresentation, or missing business information.

3. Evaluate your site experience: Consider whether your website appears trustworthy, loads correctly, and provides all legally required pages like a privacy policy, contact page, and return policy.

Common reasons for account suspension

Google may suspend your account for reasons ranging from content violations to technical feed errors. This section outlines the most frequent causes of suspension.

Shopping ads policy violations

These issues relate to what you sell and how you present your business.

1. Counterfeit products: Listings that imitate branded goods using terms like "replica" or "knockoff" are banned. Remove any non-authentic items from your store and avoid using misleading brand references.

2. Misrepresentation: Google requires full transparency. Avoid copying product descriptions or images. Ensure your business address and contact details are real, consistent, and publicly verifiable. Don't promise false delivery times or hide important policies.

3. Enabling dishonest behavior: Google does not allow tools used for fraud or deception. Remove any listings related to hacking, fake documents, spyware, or illegal services.

4. User data security violations: Google takes personal data protection seriously.

• Never collect sensitive data like driver's license numbers or full financial info without proper handling. Make sure your website uses HTTPS.

5. Adult content violations: Avoid showing explicit images, overly exposed models, or sexually suggestive language. Adult content must be appropriately tagged and restricted.

Product data and feed quality issues

Even compliant stores can be suspended for errors in product feeds or content formatting.

1. Price inconsistencies: Ensure product prices match across ads, landing pages, and checkout. Any discount should be clearly displayed and accurate.

2. Image violations: Avoid watermarks, promotional text, borders, or stolen images. Use clean, high-quality images taken by your team or licensed legally.

3. Language mismatches: Your ad, landing page, and checkout must all be in the same language. The language must match the region where your ads are displayed.

4. Shipping cost errors: Avoid showing a range or hiding the actual cost. If uncertain, provide a clearly stated overestimate.

5. Inventory or currency mismatch: Ensure availability and currency settings are accurate and aligned with your target region. Products marked as “in stock” must be ready to ship.

Other common violations

These errors often relate to store trustworthiness or attempts to bypass the system.

1. Missing or unverifiable contact info: Include a valid business address (visible on Google Maps), a phone number with country code, and a branded email address (e.g., support@yourstore.com).

2. Low site trust or functionality issues: Avoid fake reviews, non-functioning plugins, or dropshipping-only setups. All pages must work correctly, and your domain should be secured with an SSL certificate.

3. Repeated account creation: Never try to bypass a suspension by opening a new GMC account. Google will detect and penalize repeated violations more severely.

Submitting an appeal

Once you’ve fixed the issues, the next step is submitting a detailed and transparent appeal to Google.

1. Describe what was fixed: Clearly explain how you identified the issue and what steps were taken to address it. Be honest and precise.

2. Provide documentation: Include screenshots, updated links, and any evidence that supports your corrections.

3. Submit the appeal: Visit the Google Merchant Center Contact Us page  and complete the form with full details. Use a professional tone and avoid submitting multiple appeals at once.

Self-check list before appealing

Use this checklist to ensure your store and product feed meet Google’s standards before resubmitting for review.

GMC setup and business info

• No disapproved products remain.
• Merchant details match across GMC and website.
• Valid office address appears on Google Maps.
• Phone number is active and includes a country code.
• Customer service email uses your business domain.

Website performance and trust

• Custom domain is used (not a default domain like myshoplazza.com).
• Website loads quickly and doesn’t contain broken sections.
• Content is original, not copied from other stores or vendors.
• SSL certificate (https) is active.
• Privacy policy is clear and accessible from the footer.
• No misleading content or exaggerated claims.

Product listings and brand presentation

• Product images are clean, high quality, and original.
• Product titles, condition, and inventory status are accurate.
• No fake or dangerous goods listed.
• Brand logo appears on the homepage.

Store policies and customer support

• Contact page lists accurate hours and response time.
• Refund and return policy includes scenarios and timelines.
• Shipping policy specifies cost, method, and delivery time.
• Checkout supports multiple secure payment methods.
• No hidden costs or misleading discount claims.

A suspended Google Merchant Center account can disrupt your sales, but it’s possible to recover if you take the right steps. Start by reviewing all flagged issues, correcting your website and product feed, and submitting a well-documented appeal. Staying compliant with Google Shopping ads policies helps protect your store’s visibility and builds long-term trust with both Google and your customers. For more detailed requirements, visit Google Shopping ads policies  .