Google Merchant Center Suspension - Live Animals

Ask Me Anything Q&A Googleshoppingamarepo

Topic summary

A company selling beneficial insects (like those used for biological pest control) received a Google Merchant Center suspension for violating the “live animals” policy, despite having USDA approval for their products.

Key Points:

  • The merchant attempted to resolve the issue by removing the word “live” from their website, believing it might have triggered the violation
  • They are uncertain about their current account status and how to check if the suspension remains active

Policy Clarification:

  • Selling live insects through Google Shopping is prohibited, regardless of USDA approval or legal status
  • Only non-living insect products are permitted
  • Removing the word “live” constitutes policy circumvention and doesn’t resolve the underlying violation
  • Other merchants currently advertising similar products may eventually face enforcement

Status Check:
The merchant can verify their account status at: merchants.google.com/mc/products/diagnostics/accountissues

Outcome: The discussion remains unresolved, as the merchant’s core business model (selling live beneficial insects) conflicts with Google’s platform policies, even though competitors appear to be advertising similar products.

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

Hi There,

We are a company that sells beneficial insects. Here is a link to our website:
https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/

I have never set up a google merchant account before. I am setting up our google merchant account so we can do some advertising and received this notification via email:

Your Merchant Center account is in violation of the following policies:

Local legal requirements and safety standards (live animals)

LIVE ANIMALS (LOCAL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS)
Deadline to fix violation was February 11.

All of our products have been approved by the USDA “Invertebrate Organisms for the Biological Control of Invertebrate Plant Pests.”

I see that other beneficial insect companies are using google ads, so I know it is possible. I found this thread where this person is having the same problem selling queen bees:
https://support.google.com/google-ads/thread/265262861/i-m-confused-about-live-animal-sales-and-transport?hl=en

I found a post (of course I can’t find it now) that was talking about this issue, and someone mentioned it could be because using the word “live” all over the website might have triggered it. So, I went into our website and removed the word live from everywhere that I could find.

I did not receive another email from google merchant, but I don’t even know how to check if we’re approved or they suspended us, or if we’re still under review. If the violation is still there, do you have any suggestions of how I could make it go away?

Thank you!
Vernita

2

Hello ArtDepartTipTop, thank you for your question in the FeedArmy AMA Event.

That is a question that needs to come from the perspective of the policy. While yes you can find techniques to circumvent policies, like removing the word live. It is still a circumvention, meaning technically you are still in violation. I have long ago seen websites getting suspended for selling bee queens on the Google Ads community. It’s unfortunately not allowed. If there are merchants that are approved, that may not be for long. Eventually, anyone violating policies may get caught, even years after approval.

To check if you are still suspended, please go here: https://merchants.google.com/mc/products/diagnostics/accountissues

Also check the following policy: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150100

3

Hi Emmanuel,

Thank you for your response! Just to clarify, selling beneficial insects is against google merchant center policy?

Thank you!
Art Department

4

If the insects are not a live, then this is allowed.

If he insects are alive, you can not sell them on Google shopping.

If you are referring to claims and statements, such as benefits of insects for health purposes. Like eating the insects, then yes you can list the products if they are not alive, but you can not make any claims or statements.

Just note that while things might be legal in your country, Google has there own policies ontop of what is legally allowed.