Hello,
I’m facing an issue that requires community help. My Shopify website recently launched (though it’s already indexed by Google). A few days ago, I registered with Google Merchant Center and completed all necessary settings. Two days after officially launching Free Listing, I received a “Misrepresentation” warning. After reading discussions in the community and Google forums, I feel the issue is somewhat complex, so I’m hoping for advice.
My Shopify URL is: https://www.exound.co.uk/
My company is registered and operates in the UK, targeting UK and European markets for sales (these are two separate Markets on my Shopify store), which is how I set it up in GMC. My Shipping Policies and Return Policies in GMC are fine, and the currency is set to British pounds.
One possibility might be regarding the website contact page and GMC address. My company’s registered address is a virtual address, which is also the default on Shopify. When creating the GMC account, it automatically read the Shopify information via API, resulting in that virtual address being recorded. I’ve seen experts say Google is sensitive about virtual addresses, so this might be why my account was suspended?
I’ve now changed the addresses on both GMC and the website contact page to my actual business address, and I’ve applied for address verification on Google Business Profile under the website name (Trading Name) (video), but it will take a few days for review.
Given that Google’s documentation and explanations are quite broad, what else should I improve in my GMC and website settings? Even though I have a contact page, do I still need to display contact information in the website footer?
Any advice would be helpful, thank you very much.
Whatever you do, do not contact Google, as you have a limited amount of reviews you can request, once reached you are banned for life.
Make sure to remove all the text, logos, branding from images you submit to Google Merchant Center.
Make sure on the product landing page that you add if the item is in or out of stock.
Make sure to add your business address, email, phone, business hours.
Your address is a self storage unit, which his not supported, you need to use a real address where you are working from.
You will have more issues, so make sure to check: https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-video/318699100
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/304792695
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127
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
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6149970
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/9158778
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150244
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/241068758
1 Like
@LegacyIT It doesn’t look like you fact checked your A-I generated reply. As you specialize in GMC accounts, why use A-I? Doesn’t make much sense if you know it. Can you maybe instead, as you are using A-I teach the original poster @Focus_Jiao how to use prompts, and they can use A-I themselves.
I am facing this same issue, I am using a mailing address as my address. I use a company called Ipostal. So my address is a Staples store. Could that be the reason that I keep getting this error. I thought it might be because I had multiple accounts. (3) - I have since closed them all except 1. I am not technical and am a complete loss as to what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Yes, that is an issue. Google needs real honest merchants. And showing an address you are not located at, is considered dishonest.
Google needs an address where you are physically working, ie where you sit and work in front of a computer.
Having multiple accounts is also a reason for suspension, make sure that you only use the first original account.
I am an honest person and did not post here to be told I am not honest. I just do not want people showing up at my home. I sell everything out of my home. I am an ecommerce seller, do not have a physical location that is not my home. Thanks for making my 1st post in the forums so memorable.
I appreciate your response, and I want to clarify that my intention was not to question your honesty at all. I realize my message may have come across more bluntly than intended, so I want to reframe it a bit more clearly.
What I meant to highlight is that Google’s policies interpret the use of virtual addresses (including PO Boxes, co-working spaces, or mail-forwarding services) as a potential red flag. This isn’t a judgment on you or your business practices—it’s about how Google’s automated and manual systems assess trust signals.
Since around 2020, Google has become much stricter with Merchant Center policies, particularly around business transparency, due to widespread abuse from bad actors. As a result, using a virtual address—even for completely legitimate reasons—can unfortunately be treated the same as those trying to deceive.
Even for online-only businesses, Google still expects to see a verifiable physical location—a place where the business operates or is based. This is part of their broader effort to ensure accountability and clarity for users.
Again, I truly meant to provide insight based on how Google interprets these setups—not to imply anything negative about your business.