How to Fix a Google Merchant Center Suspension in 2026
Your account got suspended. Now what? This guide walks you through exactly what to do.
Waking up to a Google Merchant Center suspension email is every e-commerce store owner's nightmare. Your ads stop running, your revenue drops to zero, and Google's vague explanation leaves you wondering what went wrong.
The good news? Most suspensions can be fixed. The bad news? Google won't tell you exactly what's wrong, and submitting the wrong appeal can make things worse.
Step 1: Don't Panic (And Don't Submit an Appeal Yet)
Your first instinct might be to immediately submit an appeal explaining that you've done nothing wrong. Resist this urge. Premature appeals with generic explanations get rejected and can extend your suspension.
Instead, take 24-48 hours to thoroughly investigate what actually triggered the suspension.
Step 2: Identify the Suspension Type
Check your Merchant Center for the specific suspension reason. Common types include:
- Misrepresentation - The most common and broadest category
- Policy violation - Specific policy breach identified
- Untrustworthy promotions - Issues with your offers or claims
- Checkout issues - Problems with your purchase flow
Step 3: Audit Your Website and Feed
This is where most DIY recovery attempts fail. You need to check:
- Price accuracy - Does your feed price match your website exactly, including currency?
- Availability - Are out-of-stock items still showing in your feed?
- Product identifiers - Are your GTINs, MPNs, and brands correct?
- Shipping information - Does your feed match your shipping policy page?
- Return policy - Is it clearly visible and accurate?
- Contact information - Phone number, email, physical address visible?
- Checkout process - Can you complete a test purchase without issues?
Step 4: Fix Every Issue (Not Just the Obvious Ones)
Google's reviewers check your entire account, not just the flagged issue. If they find additional problems during review, your appeal will be rejected even if you fixed the original issue.
Be thorough. Check every product. Test every policy page link. Verify every price.
Step 5: Document Your Changes
Before submitting your appeal, create a clear record of:
- What issues you identified
- What changes you made to fix them
- Screenshots showing the fixes are in place
Step 6: Write a Professional Appeal
Your appeal should be clear, specific, and professional. Include:
- Acknowledgment of the issue (even if you're not 100% sure what it was)
- Specific actions you've taken to resolve it
- Steps you'll take to prevent future issues
Avoid emotional language, blame-shifting, or claims that you "didn't do anything wrong."
Step 7: Wait (And Don't Resubmit)
Google typically responds within 7 business days. Submitting multiple appeals doesn't speed up the process—it can actually slow it down or hurt your case.
When to Get Professional Help
Consider professional assistance if:
- You've already had an appeal rejected
- You can't identify what triggered the suspension
- Your account has been suspended multiple times
- You're losing significant revenue every day the account is down