Why won't Google approve my products for listing?

[CollagenQueen]

Anyone else experiencing an inexplicable resistance by Google to list their products from Shopify's platform? We have been getting the same short list of "possible causes" which have all been eliminated for six months. I'm starting to think they're may be an issue with the Shopify platform and Google. What we are seeing is a galvanised (and obscure) refusal to approve our products for Google Ads.  It defies logic. We have the Google channel api set up. All the product info is correct and properly identified. Website info in Merch centre is verified. Anyone else experiencing an inexplicable and staunch refusal by Google to list their products from the Shopify platform?

url: collagenstickz.com

[EmmanuelFlossie]

Are you suspended, or are you having product disapproval?

If you are suspended, what is the reason Google gave you. You can check by going to GMC > products > diagnostics > click on account issues, or click here: https://merchants.google.com/mc/products/diagnostics?tab=account_issues

If you have products disapproval, what are the issues given in the GMC > products > diagnostics > item issues tab?

https://merchants.google.com/mc/products/diagnostics

[CollagenQueen]

Google provided a short list of 7 "possible" issues. We eliminated all of them. 

[ilanadavis]

Hey @CollagenQueen 

You haven't said what the 7 possible issues were that you eliminated so I'm just taking a guess here.

Looking at a product page, I can see that you have structured data for your products, but your SEO app and your theme are linking the data causing an error in the structured data. When there is an error, Google will ignore the entire set of data.

You can see the error in this Rich Results Test I ran on one of your products under Merchant Listings. Because Smart SEO and your theme are linking the data, it's causing a duplicated "brand" which is invalid.

Structured data is required for Merchant Center to validate your product feed with what's visually displayed on the page.

You'll want to do one of the following:
1. have Smart SEO remove the @id,

2. exclude the #product at the end,

3. remove the #product from your theme structured data,

4. or use an app that doesn't conflict with your theme.

As a structured data app, I see this all too often and that's why JSON-LD for SEO uses our own unique @id to avoid conflicts like this.

[CollagenQueen]

Thank you for this advice. I'll try it but we installed Smart SEO in an effort to try and solve the Google products issue. The short list of errors Google is giving us is no different now to before. Google "possible" error short list:
Missing Refund Policy
Store URL isn't claimed
Checkout not secure
Prohibited or restricted products
Site doesn't allow online purchases
Different prices between product data and landing page
Links to landing pages broken
Links to landing pages redirect to Home page
Different currenty and language used than target country

[ilanadavis]

SmartSEO may still be your answer. Just see if they can remove the #product to the @Anonymous field.

Sometimes, Merchant Center doesn't like multiple sets of data. So if you remove the #product and still have issues, you may need to remove your theme structured data. Use my guide below (you'll only need to do the JSON-LD, not the microdata).

https://www.ilanadavis.com/blogs/articles/removing-invalid-microdata-shopify-theme

[CollagenQueen]

On it. Submitted a support request. 

[CollagenQueen]

I've had a read of your link Ilana. We engaged a "Shopify Expert" to build our store but I don't think she's great on SEO. Are you available to apply these improvements to our site? 

[ilanadavis]

Do you mean removing the theme structured data or providing the structured data that doesn't conflict with your theme? Both are most likely a yes but making sure I understand. If you email me at [email protected] I will be able to provide specifics for you.