What is Misrepresentation in Google Merchant Center?
Misrepresentation occurs when a business provides inaccurate, misleading, or omitted information about their products, promotions, shipping policies, business details, etc. This violates Google’s policies and diminishes users’ trust.
Some common misrepresentation violations include:
- Incorrect product details like false claims or specifications
- Misleading promotions with unrealistic discounts or expired offers
- Omission of required product information like size, weight, materials
- Pricing discrepancies between ads and landing pages
- Unavailable promotions for out-of-stock or discontinued products
Are You Facing a Misrepresentation Suspension?
If Google detects a policy breach, they will suspend the Google Merchant Center account. This prevents advertisers from showing products on Google Shopping until they fix the issues.
Suspensions seriously impact product visibility and sales. But identifying and quickly resolving the problems can get an account reinstated in days to weeks.
Types of Misrepresentation
There are two main categories of misrepresentation violations:
1. Misrepresentation of Self
This involves false information about the business itself. For example:
- Fake business name or address
- Misleading claims of industry certifications
- Incorrect contact information or details
2. Misrepresentation of Product
This covers false or omitted details about products and promotions. For example:
- Inaccurate product titles, descriptions, or images
- Exaggerated or unrealistic discount claims
- Failing to disclose expiration dates on promotions
- Prices in ads not matching landing page prices
How to Identifying the Suspension Reason
Google sends emails and Merchant Center notifications explaining suspension reasons. Review these closely to identify issues.
To diagnose the root cause of the suspension, follow these steps:
- Check Google’s Email & Notification: Log into your Google Merchant Center and read the suspension notice carefully. Google usually provides a brief explanation of the violation category.
- Review the Diagnostics Tab: The Merchant Center diagnostics tab highlights data quality issues, errors, and policy violations.
- Compare Product Listings with Ads: Ensure product data, pricing, availability, and descriptions in Merchant Center match those on your website.
- Inspect Business Information: Confirm that your contact details, physical address, and policies are accurate and visible on your website.
- Use Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool: Validate that your structured data aligns with the product feed and website details.
- Look for Pricing & Promotion Discrepancies: Ensure discounts, prices, and promotional claims in ads are reflected on landing pages.
- Check for Policy Updates: Google regularly updates its Merchant Center policies. Make sure your listings comply with the latest guidelines.
Consequences of Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation has serious implications including:
1. Account Suspension
Products get removed from Google Shopping until violations are fixed. This directly impacts sales.
2. Loss of Trust & Legal Risks
False claims or misleading details erode user trust. Egregious violations can spur legal action.
3. Permanent Ban
Repeated or intentional misrepresentation may lead to permanent account termination.
What are Some Common Suspension Reasons
- Untrustworthy Promotions: Exaggerated discounts, misleading sales, or unrealistic offers that deceive customers, violating Google’s advertising standards.
- Unavailable Products: Listing out-of-stock or discontinued items without updating availability, leading to a poor customer experience.
- Omitted Information: Missing essential details like product specifications, return policies, or business contact information, making it difficult for customers to make informed decisions.
- Pricing Discrepancies: Differences between advertised prices and actual checkout prices, including hidden fees or misleading price displays, causing confusion and policy violations.
Fixing Misrepresentation Errors
Address issues thoroughly before submitting an appeal. Here are solutions for common problems:
Inaccurate Product Details
- Audit listings to correct titles, descriptions, specs, etc.
- Include all required attributes like size, materials, etc.
Misleading Promotions
- Remove exaggerated claims or false discounts
- Update expired offers and promotions
Omitted Information
- Add missing product details like model numbers
- Ensure policies are comprehensive and visible
Unavailable Products
- Update inventory in feeds to reflect availability
- Set up rules to mark sold-out items as out of stock
Pricing Discrepancies
- Ensure ad prices match landing page prices
- Display all costs like shipping and taxes upfront
How Trusted Web Eservices Can Help You
Trusted Web Eservices specializes in fixing Google Merchant Center misrepresentation errors and reinstating suspended accounts. Our team of experts follows a structured approach to identify, rectify, and prevent violations. Here’s how we can assist:
- Thorough Audit & Issue Identification: We conduct a detailed analysis of your Merchant Center account to detect misrepresentation errors.
- Accurate Product & Business Information Updates: We correct product details, descriptions, and business information to comply with Google’s policies.
- Policy Compliance & Prevention Strategies: We ensure your account adheres to Google’s guidelines to prevent future suspensions.
- Professional Appeal Submission: Our experts draft and submit a well-documented appeal to reinstate your account swiftly.
- Ongoing Monitoring & Support: We provide continuous monitoring to prevent further violations and maintain compliance.
Avoiding Future Misrepresentation Issues
Once reinstated, take proactive measures to remain compliant:
- Maintain accurate product data across platforms
- Clearly showcase policies and business info
- Secure checkout process and update availability
- Follow all of Google’s Merchant Center policies
Appealing a Google Merchant Center Suspension
If you believe the suspension was unwarranted, submit an appeal through the Merchant Center dashboard.
Provide clear documentation explaining how issues were resolved. Be patient as reviews can take several weeks.
Final Thoughts
By identifying misrepresentation triggers, rectifying issues, optimizing product data, and appealing suspensions, businesses can regain and maintain Google Merchant Center compliance. This enables restoring product visibility and sales through Google Shopping.
FAQs
How long do suspensions last?
With prompt action, suspensions may lift in days. But severe or repeated violations can extend it to weeks or months.
Does this affect other Google services?
Merchant Center suspensions don’t directly impact other Google services. But related Google Ads accounts may also get suspended.
What are common suspension causes?
Typical causes include inaccurate listings, misleading promotions, unavailable products, omitted info, policy non-compliance.
How can I ensure accurate landing pages?
Use tools like Google’s Rich Results Test to validate structured data. Confirm prices/availability match ads.
If you’re struggling with misrepresentation errors, contact Trusted Web Eservices for expert assistance and get your Merchant Center account back on track today!
Bhavesh Patel 
Verified Technical SEO & Tracking Specialist
Bhavesh Patel is a technical SEO expert with extensive experience in web tracking and analytics. As a specialist in Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager, he helps businesses implement cutting-edge solutions for tracking, SEO, and conversion optimization.