No way, same! Let’s go!!! I wonder what changed!?
Topic summary
Multiple merchants report their products vanished from Google Shopping free listings starting around March 20, 2023, with some cases occurring later in April-May. Paid shopping ads continue working normally, and Merchant Center accounts show no warnings or errors—products appear “active” but generate zero impressions.
Common patterns identified:
- All affected users experienced the issue on similar dates (primarily March 20)
- No account changes were made before the disappearance
- Google support attributes it to “algorithm” changes and offers no solutions
- Products completely absent from search results, even when searching brand name + product
- Issue appears tied to the Merchant Center account itself
Attempted solutions:
- One user successfully recovered by deleting and recreating their GMC account, fixing SEO URLs, adjusting out-of-stock handling, and creating feed rules to exclude low-quality listings
- Another user reported recovery after weeks without explanation
- Creating new accounts sometimes resulted in products disappearing again after a few days
Google’s position:
- Free listings are a “complimentary feature” requiring high-quality data
- No reported bugs acknowledged
- Support refuses to assist, citing fairness concerns
The discussion remains largely unresolved, with most merchants still experiencing the issue and expressing frustration over lack of transparency or recourse.
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