Google Merchant Center - Misrepresentation

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Topic summary

A store owner is facing repeated Google Merchant Center suspensions for “Misrepresentation” and seeks help identifying the cause.

Key Issues Identified:

  • Digital vs. Physical Books: The product listings don’t clearly specify whether items are physical books or ebooks. Google Shopping bans digital books (ebooks, PDFs, downloadable materials), so sellers must explicitly indicate “hard copy,” “paperback,” or similar terms in both titles and descriptions.

  • Missing Product Information: The landing pages lack stock availability indicators (in stock/out of stock).

  • Product Attributes: The ‘product type’ and ‘product category’ attributes need updating to reflect “hard copy” if selling physical books.

Recommended Actions:

  • Fix all identified issues including business details, policies, and product listings before requesting review.
  • Add clear physical book indicators to titles and descriptions.
  • Include stock status on product pages.
  • Review comprehensive Google Merchant Center policies (multiple resource links provided).
  • Only request review through Merchant Center → Products → Diagnostics after resolving every violation.

Status: The discussion remains open with actionable guidance provided but no confirmation of resolution.

Summarized with AI on October 31. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi there,

We recently set up our store: jahrundtag.com. Everything is fine so far, except that we keep getting suspended from Google Merchant Center due to “Misrepresentation”.

I’ve tried following all the guidelines, double- and triple-checked our policies, and even used ChatGPT to identify the issue. However, I haven’t had any luck so far.

Can anyone help figure out what’s wrong?

Big thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Elias

2

For example, currently it does not show if the item is a digital book, or a physical book. eBooks, are no longer allowed on Google Shopping. So make sure specify in the title and description that it’s a hard copy. You can use paperback as well, which I see in the description, just add it in the title as well.

Using chatgpt is not going to help you, all it does is rewrite the info from the basic policies, but will not know all the 100’s of policies. Or historical policies. I have been a Google shopping specialist for 15 years, and there are a lot of things you need to know. Also common sence, which chatgpt does not have.

Missing in or out of stock info on the product landing page.

You may 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

3

Hi @Jahrundtag ,

Digital books are banned from Shopping ads, here’s the link to the official page. If you’re selling hard copy, please change the ‘product type’ and ‘ product category’ attributes to hard copy.

Apart from that as Emmanuel mentioned kindly go through all the policies and fix the issues.

4

Hi @Jahrundtag

Google has trust issues (understandable, given the amount of sketchy businesses out there). When it suspends a store for “Misrepresentation,” it usually means:

  • Something’s missing (a policy, contact info, or clear product details).
  • Something’s misleading (pricing, discounts, or vague return policies).
  • Something looks shady (like a site that’s too barebones or inconsistent).

So what to do?1. Revise and fix any missing or misleading details (eg. Business Details; Policies ; Product Listings..)

  1. Go to Merchant Center → Products → Diagnostics and click “Request Review.” In your appeal, explain what you fixed .
  2. Wait for Google’s response (can take a few days to weeks)

Besides, please note that digital books (ebooks, PDFs, and other downloadable reading materials) are not allowed on Google Shopping ads. Google only permits physical books. If your store sells both digital and physical books, make sure your Merchant Center feed only includes physical copies to avoid policy violations

I hope this can help address the issue!

Best,

Daisy.

5

Never ask for a review untill you have resolved every single reason, here is why: