How We Unsuspended a Google Merchant Center for Misrepresentation

TL;DR: Fix Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation Suspension

Got suspended for misrepresentation? Here’s what to do:

Check Your Policies: Make sure your shipping and return policies are clear and easy to find.
Add PayPal: Boost buyer protection by adding PayPal in your Merchant Center settings.
Optimize Google My Business: Link it, update it, and ask for reviews.
Fix Grammar & Spelling: Even small mistakes can get you flagged.
Link Social Media: Connect all relevant profiles (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
Verify as an Organization: Make sure your business is verified in the Merchant Center.

What Happened

We got a suspension notice for “Misrepresentation.” Sounds dramatic, right? Unfortunately, Google’s explanation isn’t always as clear as we’d like. They sent a document that takes 20 minutes to read, but it doesn’t quite tell you what went wrong.

Here’s the thing: there are multiple reasons this can happen, and it’s up to you to figure out which one(s) got your account suspended. Let’s dive into what worked for us and how you can do the same.

What We Diagnosed

After digging through the account, from the checkout prosses (using Clarity to monitor traffic), product details, etc. We found a few common issues that can trigger a misrepresentation suspension:

Shipping and Return Policies

Your customers need to see clear, easy-to-understand shipping and return policies. If they’re buried in your site or not detailed enough, Google flags it. Make sure you have the policies on your website as well as on your Google Merchant Centre.

Grammar or Spelling Mistakes

This might seem minor, but errors in your site’s text can lead to disapproval. Attention to detail matters here.

Backlinks and Citations

Google checks if your brand has legit backlinks. This means you should have references to your brand from trusted sources like social media, Google My Business, suppliers, or other verified sites.

What We Fixed (And You Should Too)

Here’s a list of things of what we did to get our account approved, and what you can do to fix your disapproved Merchant Center:

1. Added PayPal for Buyer Protection

This simple addition increases Google’s trustworthiness. You can set this up right in your Google Merchant Center settings—no extra searches are required 😉

2. Optimized Our Google My Business listing

Linked the Google My Business profile to the Merchant Center.
Asked customers to leave reviews, which adds social proof and credibility.
Added social media links (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to reinforce that our brand is active and trustworthy.

3. Verified Our Merchant Center as an Organization

By verifying our business as an organization, we sent a strong signal of legitimacy to Google. You can do this through your Merchant Center account.

4. Fixed Any Grammar or Spelling Errors

Sounds simple, right? Even a small typo can trigger disapproval, so double-check for any errors in your product listings or website.

5. Linked Our Social Media Profiles

Google loves to see that your brand is active and engaging. We made sure to connect all our relevant profiles, including Facebook and Instagram on the footer of the website, as well as linking from Social Media back to our website.

Common Reasons for Misrepresentation Disapproval:(not in our case)

Here’s a quick checklist of things that can get you suspended. Review each of these areas to ensure everything’s in line:

Inaccurate Product Data

Double-check that your product descriptions, prices, and availability match exactly with what’s on your website.

Lack of Contact Information

Ensure your site includes a phone number, email, and any other necessary contact details. It should be easy for customers to reach you.

Incomplete Checkout Process

Make sure your checkout process is smooth and functional. Broken links or missing steps can lead to disapproval.

Inconsistent Pricing

The price in your Merchant Center should match what’s on your website. Even a small discrepancy can get flagged.

No Secure Payment Methods

Implement secure payment methods, like PayPal or credit card processors that offer buyer protection.

For the full list of possible reasons for misrepresentation disapproval, check out Google’s Misrepresentation Guidelines.

This is what an approved account looks like – hopefully, you’ll get it soon.

Fixing a suspension for misrepresentation can be frustrating, but it’s definitely fixable. By following the steps we took, you can show Google that your brand is legit and trustworthy, and your Merchant Center will be back online soon.

Remember, it’s better to over-communicate your trustworthiness to both Google and your customers. It might feel like overkill, but it works!

If you’re facing the same issue, and need expert advice. Contact our PPC experts and get your account back online.