Google Merchant - Website Needs Improvement

[blackdop]

I got this problem when I had resolved product misrepresentation in Google Merchant Center. Website needs improvements. They are saying to fix any of these:

There was a problem identified with your website. Update your entire website to provide a useful and transparent shopping experience for customers.
Make sure your website meets the following requirements

• Your website should have a domain name that matches the uploaded domain name
• Your entire website shouldn’t have any broken links
• Your website shouldn’t contain any placeholder images or text
• The product details and categories should match those that you provide in your product data
• Your website shouldn’t contain generic information and shouldn’t miss crucial information about products

Please check my website blackdop.com

I am confused. Please help me.

Thank you

[EmmanuelFlossie]

Based on what I see, I guess you are print on demand, unfortunately this violates the following: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127#:~:text=Unavailable%20promotions

[blackdop]

I've checked many times, but my Google Merchant is still suspended. I have also complied with Google Merchant Center policies.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

You will not get approved if you are print on demand. You may want to re-read: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127#:~:text=Unavailable%20promotions

[blackdop]

Did they refuse because this category is 'Custom Products'?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

Custom products are allowed, if it's optional. However, again, as you are ignoring my info. Print On Demand, ie POD, ie non existing finalized products, ie the policy: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127#:~:text=Unavailable%20promotions

Is not allowed.

[blackdop]

I don't understand the Print on Demand policy you mean, can you explain in detail about Print on Demand violations in my shop? I'm very beginner and need help.
I've also read all the Google Merchant Center policies, but I didn't find an article about Print on Demand there.

[EmmanuelFlossie · Accepted solution]

Sure, in simple terms, your business, as a whole is not allowed on Google Shopping. Nothing you do, change or perform, will get you approved. Because your business model, print on demand is not allowed.

If you don't know what POD is, this wiki page might help you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_on_demand

[SassySisters]

Hi EmmanuelFlossie - I too am getting the same issue for the last month or so - I was fine with Google from 9/2023 - around Jan 23, 2024 - not sure what happened or why - but all of a sudden my google merchant account is suspended...can you tell my why?

My shopify store/webiste is: www.sassysisters.shop

Please advise it's driving me CRAZY!!!!

[EmmanuelFlossie]

For example, missing business details in the footer of all pages.

For example, incomplete business address on the contact page.

Product landing page does not follow the requirements, please check: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265?hl=en

These are just examples, so to find more issues, consider reading:

https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127?hl=en
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6363310/follow-the-merchant-center-guidelines
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13693865

[_Lance_]

Hi EmmanuelFlossie,

I am currently also facing the "Website needs Improvement" Suspension from Google Merchant Center. I have made many amendments as far as I can see for the website but after 3 reviews I am still suspended and I cannot get pass what the issues are. 

https://www.alaniaarchitecturalproducts.co.za

After all that I have attempted to rectify, this is the last response that Google could offer me:

• Hi Lance,

  Thank you for your prompt response regarding the Merchant Center account #############. I am happy to assist you.
  We understand your concern regarding the account suspension and apologize for any inconvenience caused by this issue.
  We referred your case to the wider team and they have shared their observations with us which is as follows:
  
  Please ensure that there are no broken links on your website as this is a professional standard that your website should be fully functional to provide a quality customer experience. To resolve this, I highly recommend contacting your website developer.
  
  Moreover, please know that your website's information must be tailor fit to the products that you are selling, as this should apply to all policies indicated in your website. You may check this helpful article to learn more about Website Needs improvement policy.
  
  To improve your website, you may have to make necessary changes to your website in order to comply. Here are several actions you might take:

  • Ensure there are no broken links on your website
  • Ensure there are no placeholder images or text on your website
  • Ensure that the product details and categories on your website match those in your product data

  Once you have made necessary changes to your website, you may proceed to request a review on your account by following these steps: 

  
  

  • Sign in to your Merchant Center account.
  • Click Products on the navigation menu, then click Diagnostics.
  • Go to the “Account issues” tab.
  • Locate the account-level issue that you would like to have reviewed.
  • If applicable, click Request review then click either I fixed the issue or I disagree with the issue.
  • If you disagree with the issue, you may need to complete additional steps, such as an appeal reason and/or upload required documentation.
  • If you’ve fixed the issue, read and check the pop-up window to ensure that you understand the review process, and its requirements and limitations.
  • In the case of a successful review the issue should disappear from the Merchant Center.

  Please be informed that the system may take 7 business days to complete the review.
  
  I hope you find the information above useful. Let us know if you have additional inquiries and we will be happy to help.
  
  Thank you for choosing gTech Customer Experience. We appreciate your relationship with us.

I even asked them to please at least point out exactly where the problem is situated  for these policy violations, so that I can fix it, I asked for a CALL BACK response, but got the email reply. I'm not sure what else to change or update at this point, and seems like Google will not or cannot give me a direct answer. At the very least, I just need to know what needs to be done to have the suspension lifted.

To my knowledge I have done everything already? Or have I missed or overlooked something? Please let me know if I should start a new topic or if it is okay to continue here. (I apologize in advance if I posted this in the wrong place.) 

>>> The Policy Violation Notification received from GMC<<<

According to our findings, your website is missing some basic requirements to ensure customers have a seamless shopping experience. Learn more about our editorial and technical requirements to ensure your account and products are active with full functionality.

How to fix

1. Read our policies to learn what we don't allow and check the below “What to do” section 
2. Fix any other open policy violation in your account.
3. Request a review of your account.
   1. If your Merchant Center account is still within the warning period, it will automatically be reviewed again at the end of the warning period. If your account is affected and you've taken action to resolve the issue, request a Merchant Center account review.
   2. If you participate in a third-party program, request a review there or fill out this form.*

What to do

• Review the domain name you entered in Google Merchant Center to make sure it's accurate.
• Make sure there are no broken links on your website.
• Make sure there are no placeholder images or text on your website.
• Make sure that the product details and categories on your website match those in your product data.
• Make sure that the information on your website is complete and specific to your store and products. For example, your return and/or refund page must be accurate and specific to your business, and not just a generic page.
• Make sure that your website contains complete and reliable information about your business.
• Make sure that you maintain a verified phone number and business address on your website.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

I recommend you add if the item is in or out of stock on the product landing page.

And the add to cart is above all your text.

Make sure to follow the landing page requirements: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265?hl=en

You may have more issues, so make sure to also check:

https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127?hl=en
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6363310/follow-the-merchant-center-guidelines
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13693865

[_Lance_]

Thank you Emmanuel, I will look into these matters.

[mrejaz]

Hello
I've been trying for a month to get my Google Merchant account approved, but every time Google gives me the same response. I'm facing the same issue again, so could you please guide me on what the exact problem might be?