Fixing a Misrepresentation Issue in Google Merchant Center (GMC)

requires careful adherence to Google's policies. Here's a comprehensive checklist to resolve the issue and avoid future suspensions:

✅ 1. Business Identity & Transparency

• Business Name: Matches your website and legal documents.
• Business Address: Displayed on the website footer or contact page.
• Phone Number & Email: Active, real, and visible on your website.
• About Us Page: Clearly explains who you are and what you offer.
• Terms & Conditions: Present and accessible.
• Privacy Policy: Clearly outlines how user data is used.
• Return & Refund Policy: Written clearly and easy to find.
• Shipping Policy: Includes estimated delivery time, carriers, and fees.

✅ 2. Domain & Website Requirements

• Domain Ownership Verified: WHOIS info matches business details.
• SSL Certificate Active: Site runs on HTTPS.
• No Broken Links or Under-Construction Pages
• Professional Design: Avoid placeholder text/images or free templates.
• No Affiliate-Only Storefront: You must fulfill and ship the products.

✅ 3. Product Data Accuracy

• Real Products Listed: Not misleading, counterfeit, or unavailable.
• Correct Prices & Currency: Matches what's shown on product and checkout pages.
• Product Availability: Accurately marked (In Stock / Out of Stock).
• No Clickbait or False Claims (e.g., “Best in the world”, “Guaranteed to cure X”).
• Landing Page Matches Feed: Title, image, price, and description must align.
• No Restricted Products: E.g., weapons, adult content, supplements, etc.

✅ 4. Merchant Center & Feed Setup

• Correct Country Targeting
• Google Feed Approved Format (XML, CSV, Content API)
• Regular Feed Updates (at least every 30 days, ideally daily)
• GTIN, MPN, Brand: Present for all products where applicable.
• Accurate Tax & Shipping Info set in Merchant Center or in feed.

✅ 5. Policy Compliance

• Google Ads Account Linked and Verified
• No Policy Violations (Suspicious billing, cloaking, redirecting)
• Avoid “Thin Content”: Pages with little value or generic content
• No Misleading Pricing Tactics: E.g., hiding fees at checkout
• No False Scarcity: (e.g., “Only 1 left!” when that’s not true)

✅ 6. Support & Legal Clarity

• Customer Support Channel Clearly Available
• Business Registration Docs (optional but recommended)
• Payment Methods Clearly Listed: With recognizable and trusted options (e.g., Visa, PayPal, Stripe)

🔁 After Fixing Everything: Request Review

• ● Go to Merchant Center > Account Issues
• ● Click “Request Review” once you're sure all policies are met.
• ● Be patient—manual review can take a few days.