Google Merchant Center disapproves products when they don’t meet specific requirements. To fix disapproved products, review the error message in the Need attention tab under the Products.
Common issues include incorrect pricing, missing product information, or poor image quality. Start by updating product titles, descriptions, and GTINs to match your website. Check that your images meet size requirements and show the actual product. Verify pricing accuracy and currency symbols. Update shipping and tax information. Fix broken landing page URLs.
Once you make these corrections, resubmit your products for review. Google typically reviews fixed items within 3 business days.
Quick Steps to Fix Google Merchant Center Disapproved Products
#1. Find the Causes of Products Disapprovals
Before you can fix anything, you need to find out what went wrong. Google doesn’t just disapprove products for fun—they have strict policies in place to ensure a seamless shopping experience for users Log in to Google Merchant Center and go to the Products section. Check for any disapproved products under the “Product status” column. Click on the disapproved product(s) to view the detailed reason for disapproval.
Common reasons for disapproval include:
- Policy violations (e.g., prohibited products like tobacco or weapons).
- Mismatched pricing between your website and product feed.
- Invalid product data (e.g., missing GTIN, incorrect attributes, or broken links).
- Poor website user experience, such as a slow-loading or non-responsive site.
- Insufficient or misleading product descriptions.
Google often provides a specific error code or description, like “Price mismatch” or “Invalid image URL,” so pay close attention to these details.
#2. Fix Feed Issues
Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time to dive into your product feed. Here’s how you can address common issues:
Pricing and Availability Mismatches
- Ensure the product price and availability in your feed match what’s displayed on your website. Google crawls your product pages, and any discrepancy (even due to currency fluctuations or promotions) can lead to disapproval.
- If you use dynamic pricing, make sure your feed updates frequently to reflect real-time changes.
Missing or Incorrect Attributes
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): This is a required field for most products with a barcode. If the product doesn’t have a GTIN, use the identifier_exists attribute and set it to “no.”
- Product Titles and Descriptions: Make them clear, concise, and specific. Avoid stuffing keywords, as Google prioritizes user experience over SEO hacks.
- Images: Ensure the image URLs in your feed are accessible and adhere to Google’s guidelines (e.g., no watermarks, no placeholders).
Policy Violations
- If your product violates Google’s policies (e.g., selling counterfeit goods, restricted items, or promoting misleading claims), you’ll need to either remove those products from your feed or adjust your listings to comply with guidelines.
#3. Check Feed Processing Errors
- Go to the Need Attention tab in your Merchant Center to see if there are any feed processing issues.
- Resolve any data quality errors or feed issues (such as incorrect categories or out-of-stock items).
#4. Re-submit the Products
- After making corrections, re-upload your feed.
- Click the “Fetch Now” button in the Merchant Center to reprocess the product feed.
- Alternatively, you can manually update or fix individual products.
#5. Recheck Your Merchant Center Settings
Sometimes, the issue lies in how your Merchant Center account itself is configured. Double-check the following:
- Business Information: Ensure your business name, address, and contact details are accurate and visible on your website.
- Tax and Shipping Settings: Provide precise tax rates and shipping costs and ensure they match what’s displayed on your website.
- Automatic Item Updates: Enable this feature in Merchant Center to allow Google to automatically update your product data (like price and availability) based on your site.
#6. Request a Review
- If your product was disapproved due to policy violations, submit a review request after making the necessary changes.
- This can be done through the Merchant Center interface, where you’ll select the option to request a manual review.
Pro tip: Don’t rush this step. If you submit for review without fully resolving the issues, your products may get disapproved again, which could hurt your account’s standing.
#7. Prevent Future Disapprovals
Fixing disapprovals is great, but preventing them in the first place is even better. Here’s how you can stay in Google’s good graces:
- Automate Feed Updates: Use tools like Google Sheets, third-party plugins (e.g., Shopify’s Google Shopping app), or APIs to keep your product feed in sync with your inventory.
- Monitor Regularly: Check the Need attention tab weekly to catch potential issues early.
- Stay Informed: Google updates its Merchant Center policies frequently. Subscribe to updates or periodically review their policies.
Final Thought
Let’s face it—getting disapproved products back on track isn’t the most exciting task, but it’s essential for anyone serious about eCommerce. Think of it like fixing a flat tire: it might slow you down temporarily, but once it’s patched up, you’re back to cruising toward your sales goals.
If you are still facing challenges or encountering issues, our Google Ads specialists are here to help you fix Google Merchant Center errors. After all, the sooner you fix the problem, the sooner your products can start converting.
FAQs About GMC Disapproved Products
1. Why are my products disapproved in Google Merchant Center?
Products get disapproved due to incorrect product information, missing required attributes, or policy violations. Google requires accurate titles, descriptions, images, pricing, and availability status for all products. Check the Need Attention tab in the Merchant Center to see specific issues.
2. How do I resubmit disapproved products in the Google Merchant Center?
Fix the identified issues in your product feed. Upload the corrected feed to Google Merchant Center. Click on “Need attention” to check the status. Select products and click “Fix” for Google to reassess them.
3. How long does it take for Google Merchant Center to approve products?
Google reviews product submissions within 3-5 business days. Some products may get approved faster if they meet all requirements. Complex issues may need additional review time.
4. What are common Google Merchant Center disapproval reasons?
Common disapprovals include incorrect pricing, missing GTIN numbers, low-quality images, inaccurate product availability, and mismatched landing page information. Policy violations and prohibited product listings also cause disapprovals.
5. How can I prevent Google Merchant Center disapprovals?
Follow Google’s product data specifications closely. Use the correct product attributes. Maintain accurate pricing and availability. Upload high-quality images. Keep landing pages active and matching. Check product feed regularly for errors.
6. What is the minimum image size for Google Merchant Center?
Google requires product images to be at least 100 x 100 pixels. Images must show the actual product clearly. The recommended size is 800 x 800 pixels for optimal display quality.
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.