Merchant Center errors, explained

Missing value [gtin]

Your product is missing its barcode number (GTIN)

Google expects a GTIN (the number under the barcode: UPC, EAN, JAN or ISBN) for branded products that have one. This product was sent without it.

Incorrect value [gtin]

The barcode number (GTIN) you sent isn't valid

Google checked the GTIN and it failed: the length or check digit is wrong, it belongs to a reserved range, or it belongs to a different product or brand.

Missing value [brand]

Your product has no brand

Google wants the brand name for new products. This item was sent with an empty brand.

Mismatched value (page crawl) [price]

Google saw a different price on your website

Googlebot visited the product page and the price it found doesn't match the price in your product data.

Mismatched value (page crawl) [availability]

Your website and Google disagree about stock

Your product data says the item is in stock (or out of stock), but the product page says the opposite.

Image too small [image link]

Your main product image is too small

The main image is smaller than Google accepts. Google's image spec now lists at least 500 × 500 pixels, and Google has announced that this applies to all products from January 31, 2027.

Promotional overlay on image [image link]

Your main image has text, a logo or a watermark on it

Google detected promotional text ("SALE", "Free shipping"), a watermark, a logo or a border on the main product image.

Invalid image [image link]

Google couldn't download your product image

The image URL in your product data didn't return a usable image when Google tried to fetch it.

Missing value [shipping]

Google doesn't know what shipping costs

There's no shipping rate for this product in the country you're advertising in.

Unavailable desktop landing page

Google can't open your product page

When Google visited the product link it got an error (like 404 or 500), a password page, or a redirect to somewhere else.

Missing value [color]

Clothing details are missing (color, size, gender or age group)

For Apparel & Accessories, Google requires color, size, gender and age group for Shopping ads in Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US, and for free listings in every country.

Restricted product

Google says this product breaks a Shopping policy

Google classified the product as restricted or prohibited (for example weapons, certain healthcare items, dangerous goods or counterfeit-looking products).

Pending initial review

Google is still reviewing this product

New products and new accounts go through a review before they can show. Nothing is wrong yet.

Unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements

Google flagged a health product or supplement as not allowed

The product, or an ingredient in it, is on Google's list of unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements, or falls under the Healthcare and medicines policy (for example prescription drugs, which need certification).

Mismatched domains [link]

Your product links use a different domain than your Merchant Center account

The product link points to a domain that isn't the website verified and claimed in your Merchant Center account. Example: products link to yourstore.myshopify.com but Merchant Center has yourstore.com.

Can't access product images

Your robots.txt file is blocking Google

Google can't fetch your product pages or images because your robots.txt file blocks Googlebot (pages) or Googlebot-Image (images).

Generic placeholder image

Your main image is a placeholder, not the product

Google found a generic image as the main photo, such as your logo, a 'No image available' graphic or a stock placeholder, instead of a photo of the actual product.

Invalid product price

Your product's price is missing, zero or invalid

The price sent to Google is empty, 0 or below, or isn't in a format Google accepts. Google only allows a price of 0 for phones and tablets sold with a contract or installment plan.

Invalid currency

Your prices are in the wrong currency for Google

The currency in your product data is invalid, differs between attributes (for example price in USD but shipping in EUR), or doesn't match the currency shoppers see on your product page.

Not enough information to verify value [price]

Google can't check if your price is realistic

Google couldn't verify the price, usually because the product is new and Google can't match it to similar offers. Google takes the offer down until it can.

Excessive capitalization [title]

Your product title has too many capital letters

Google's automated systems found a title written largely in capitals (e.g. 'BEST LEATHER WALLET'). Google says acronyms, phone numbers and country or currency codes are fine.

Missing potentially required value

Your product may be missing a legally required detail

Google thinks a local law may require extra information for this product, such as unit pricing (for example price per 100 ml for perfume) or an energy efficiency class for appliances in some countries.

Price updated automatically

Google corrected your price or stock from your website

Automatic item updates are on, so when Google found a different price or availability on your product page, it updated the listing from your site instead of disapproving it.

Pending website check

Google is re-checking your product page

Google is waiting to crawl the product page again, usually after you fixed an issue or requested a website check.

Limited performance due to missing identifiers

Your products are live but showing less (limited performance)

'Limited performance' means the product is approved but missing information Google uses to match and rank it, most often GTIN, brand or MPN, or apparel details like color and size.

Missing return policy

You haven't told Google your return policy

Your Merchant Center account has no return policy for one or more countries you sell in.

Misrepresentation

Google doesn't trust your store yet (misrepresentation)

Google's review found something on your site or account that it thinks could mislead shoppers: missing business details, unclear policies, or offers that look too good to be true.

Website not claimed

Google hasn't confirmed you own your website

Your Merchant Center account isn't linked to a verified and claimed store website.

Circumventing systems

Google thinks you tried to get around its review systems (circumventing systems)

Google believes the account, website or listings were set up to avoid or trick its checks. Examples Google gives are new accounts or domains created after a suspension, or re-listing products that were already disapproved under a different name or URL.

Unacceptable business practices

Google thinks your business could be scamming shoppers (unacceptable business practices)

This part of Google's Misrepresentation policy covers hiding or misrepresenting information about your business, products or services. Examples Google lists include a false identity or address, impersonating a brand, not delivering paid orders, refusing refunds your own policy promises, and hiding where products really ship from.

Missing contact information on your online store

Shoppers can't find a way to contact you

Google couldn't find enough contact details on your store, or the details don't match your Merchant Center account. Google asks for at least a business address, phone number, email, contact form or social media business profile on the site, plus a verified phone number in Merchant Center.

Unverified phone number

Google needs you to verify your business phone number

Your Merchant Center account doesn't have a verified phone number for your business.

Verify your business identity

Google wants proof of who runs your business

Merchant Center is asking for documents to confirm your identity and/or that your business is legally registered, such as a passport or driver's license, or official registration or tax documents.

Counterfeit goods

Google thinks you sell fake branded products (counterfeit goods)

Google's Counterfeit products policy bans non-genuine products that copy brand names, logos or trademarks to pass as the real thing. 'Inspired by', replica or 'dupe' listings that use a brand's name or logo commonly trigger it.

Account suspended

Your Merchant Center account is suspended: what to do first

A suspension means none of your products show on Google. It usually follows a warning period of 7 or 28 days, but for egregious policies Google suspends immediately.