Does Google give a warning first?

No. Google treats unacceptable business practices as egregious and suspends on detection without prior warning.

Does dropshipping break this policy?

Dropshipping isn't banned, but hiding where products ship from, unrealistic delivery promises or refusing refunds can fall under this policy.

Google Merchant Center: Unacceptable business practices · Account suspended for unacceptable business practices

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

What Google's message means

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.

Why it matters

It is an egregious violation: Google suspends the account on detection without prior warning and only reinstates in compelling circumstances.

Common causes on Shopify

Business identity, address or contact details are missing, false or inconsistent.
The store looks like an official brand store without being one.
Orders aren't delivered, or refunds promised in your policy aren't given.
The real shipping origin is hidden (e.g. a local-looking store shipping from abroad without saying so).

How to fix it

1Make sure your store tells the truth about who you are: legal business name, real address (no virtual or fake headquarters), email and phone, the same in your footer, contact page and Merchant Center business info.
2State clearly where orders ship from and realistic delivery times. If you dropship from overseas, say so on your shipping policy page.
3Remove anything that makes you look like another brand: logos, brand names in your store name or domain, or 'official store' wording you aren't licensed for.
4Check you honor your own refund policy, and resolve open chargebacks and complaints where you can.
5If you believe the decision is wrong, appeal once with evidence (business registration, supplier invoices, fulfillment records). Google decides and there's no guarantee of reinstatement.

In Shopify: Settings → Store details holds your legal name and address, Settings → Policies your refund and shipping policies. Make sure what they say matches how you actually operate.

How to stop it coming back

Be explicit about who you are and where orders ship from.
Answer customer complaints and honor your refund policy.
Only use brand names you're authorized to use.

Common questions

Does Google give a warning first?: No. Google treats unacceptable business practices as egregious and suspends on detection without prior warning.
Does dropshipping break this policy?: Dropshipping isn't banned, but hiding where products ship from, unrealistic delivery promises or refusing refunds can fall under this policy.

Official help pages

Want to catch this before Google does?

FlagClear watches your Merchant Center every day, explains each issue in plain English and suggests Shopify fixes you approve first and can undo. We're opening store connections in stages: join free and your first scan runs as soon as your store can connect.

Join free

Google's wording and requirements change from time to time; always check the help link shown next to the issue in Merchant Center. FlagClear isn't affiliated with Google and can't guarantee review outcomes or reinstatement.