Google Merchant Center suspensions for new Shopify stores — how to warm up and avoid “Misrepresentation”?

Ask Me Anything Q&A Googleshoppingamarepo

Topic summary

New Shopify stores are experiencing immediate Google Merchant Center suspensions for “Misrepresentation,” with over 70% of new accounts reportedly banned within days of submitting product feeds—even when policies are followed and websites appear professional.

Key Issue:
Google has tightened scrutiny on new businesses lacking established trust signals, including:

  • Verified business information
  • Active social media presence
  • Customer reviews
  • Consistent brand presence

Question Posed:
The poster seeks proven strategies for “warming up” Merchant Center accounts before launching ads, specifically asking whether these tactics help reduce suspension risk:

  • Gradual feed rollout
  • Verified Google Business Profile
  • Third-party reviews (e.g., Trustpilot)
  • Starting with low-budget campaigns

The discussion remains open, seeking community input on effective prevention methods for this widespread issue affecting new e-commerce businesses.

Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Many new Shopify stores face instant Google Merchant Center suspensions for “Misrepresentation,” even when all policies are followed, products are legit, and the website looks professional. Based on experience, over 70% of new accounts get banned within the first few days after submitting their feed.

It seems Google has become stricter with new businesses that lack trust signals — such as verified business info, active social pages, customer reviews, and a consistent brand presence.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: What are your proven Merchant Center warm-up strategies before launching ads?
Does a gradual feed rollout, verified Business Profile, Trustpilot reviews, or initial low-budget campaigns help reduce suspension risk?

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Hello Taras, thank you for your question and welcome to the Shopify AMA, I’m your host, Emmanuel from FeedArmy.

You basically hit the nail on the head, first building up trust signals will increase your approval success rate, however, if the business is legitimate I don’t see any issues in getting approved. It’s the drop shipping businesses that have the most trouble. These indeed need a half a year or more reputation buildup.

But legitimate business, meaning a real physicall store, get approved pretty much instantly with all the basics in place.

Of course every business is different, what is the solution for one business is not the solution for another.

Have a look at the guides and policies below to find out all the possible reasons why an account could be suspended.

https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-video/318699100

https://support.google.com/merchants/community-video/379501229

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

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