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
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
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.
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:
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.
Never ask for a review untill you have resolved every single reason, here is why:
I’d separate the book/product classification issue from the general trust checklist. If any product could be interpreted as an ebook/PDF/download, Google Shopping may treat that very differently from a physical book. Make “physical / paperback / hard copy” unambiguous on the landing page and in the submitted product data.
For a small sample, compare the product title, description, Google product category/product type, availability, shipping, and Merchant Center final attributes for 3–5 books. If the page says paperback but the feed/category/description leaves room for “digital book,” fix that before another review. Also show stock/availability clearly on the landing page and make sure checkout can complete for the target country.
Once the representative products are clean, appeal with a concise changelog: clarified physical-book status, updated category/product type, visible availability, and consistent shipping/return/contact evidence. ChatGPT/checklist passes can miss policy-fit details like digital vs physical inventory, so I’d verify the final GMC item data rather than only reviewing the storefront text.