Received Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation Suspension right after I started my new website.

[deshmukhavanti]

Hi, I have started my new home furniture website https://livu.in/ recently (about 20 days ago). This is my 2nd venture in the similar space but totally different business model (previous being renting of home furniture https://rentalfurniture.in/). I downloaded Google & YouTube app in shopify and connected Google Merchant Center (GMC). I also created Google My Business profile (https://maps.app.goo.gl/B7MQc1YDqVuhFm4D9) and Google Ads profile immediately once the website was live.

In a few days, GMC threw up an issue for Misrepresentation. Even after making changes to the website and uploading all the information of GMC, I am unable to resolve the issue. Could you please suggest what needs to be done to get it resolved. Also how do I ensure Google doesn't suspend the account (with surprise) in future.

Many many thanks in advance!

[manojkhatri]

Hi,

Q1: How to fix this issue?

> You won't be able to find exact reason for such reason - Is there any appeal button inside GMC - if yes please appeal with all your details. Please ensure all sort of details including delivery times & return replacement policies are updated in your GMC center - they can't be configured via shopify. Alternatively, please share screenshot here - I can help with appeal form.

Q2: How to ensure surprise suspension doesn't come up again?

> Setting up GMC & google setup in shopify is somewhat fragile. If google's system even get a slightest hint of bad IP they will mark your GMC as misrepresentation. How does bad IP qualifies? Accessing any ban google accounts, doing random login & logouts, improper GMC or google setup via shopify. There are many other reasons as well.

Hope this helps!

[deshmukhavanti]

Hi Manoj, thanks for taking your time to reply to my query. I have already appealed once before and it got rejected. I have removed experimental reviews which I borrowed from my other business (just to test the UI) and made a few other changes to the product (removed one colour variant for which I didn't have a thumbnail & product image). I have also added business name, address, phone number and email in the footer section of each page. After doing this, I have appealed for the 2nd time today morning post which I have raised this issue in the discussion.

 

[EmmanuelFlossie]

Having multiple websites is a reason for suspension, as Google sees this as abuse of ad network.

I recommend you focus on 1 website and business, ie the original one.

Do not mindlessly click on the appeal button, you will not get far, in fact you will just enter a cooldown period.

Or even worse you will get your first website suspended as well.

[deshmukhavanti]

Thanks Emmanuel, but https://livu.in/ is a new business in which the products are different, the owner group is different and we have also used new email id for setting up the Google services (Ads, GMB, GMC, etc.). Only the backend supply chain is somewhat common. Else everything is different.

Please suggest what should I do to get it up and running.

[deshmukhavanti]

In fact I have referred to your checklist and made as many changes as possible, but still today morning I got a negative response from GMC.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

It does not matter how you word the ownership of the business, for what reason, etc.

The fact is, that you are linked to multiple accounts, and you are linked to multiple businesses. Google sees this as misleading.

This is my opinion, and this is my advice, only have 1 website, and 1 business. As you are putting your first website at risk of getting suspended as well.