Restoring a suspended Google Merchant Center (GMC) account in 2026 is more challenging than ever before. In this exclusive case study, I walk you through a real-life project where we successfully resolved two major suspension issues for a client: “Website or Online Store Needs Improvement” and “Misrepresentation.” Here’s a detailed breakdown of how we fixed the account and got it back in action.
Background: Parenting Niche eCommerce Store
Our client was selling baby products through an eCommerce store in the parenting niche. Despite spending and previously running Google Shopping ads, the account was suddenly suspended.
Phase 1: Diagnosing the Suspension
The first suspension reason was: Website or online store needs improvement.
Google’s generic message included issues like:
- Broken links
- Placeholder images
- Generic or duplicate product content
- Mismatched categories and product details
We initiated a full compliance audit, including:
- Product image uniqueness
- Add-to-cart and checkout functionality testing
- Footer and policy alignment
- Social media page authenticity
- Contact page verification
- Robots.txt review
Phase 2: Fixing Misrepresentation Violation
Shortly after resolving the first issue, a second suspension for Misrepresentation was issued.
Issues we discovered included:
- Medical claims like “clinically proven” without real endorsements
- Shipping policy discrepancies (e.g. promising 7-9 days, delivering in 12)
- Placeholder text in plugins, popups, and contact forms
- Broken trust signals (outdated or missing pages)
- Unclear checkout policies
Key Fixes Implemented
- Removed unverifiable medical claims and overpromises
- Optimized robots.txt and fixed placeholder bugs
- Rewritten policy pages (TOS, Shipping, Privacy)
- Synced displayed payment methods with checkout
- Enhanced About Us, Contact Us, and Trust pages
- Verified store identity and improved website speed
- Cleared all scam reports and improved domain reputation
The Result: GMC Account Approved!
After extensive collaboration with Google support and submitting a manual review, the account was finally approved:
- Over 6,800 products reinstated
- Store quality rated “Well Above Average”
- Ads successfully running again
Final Thoughts
Restoring a GMC account in 2026 is no longer a quick task. Every small mistake can lead to suspension, and resolution requires a meticulous approach. If your account is suspended due to “Website Needs Improvement” or “Misrepresentation,” a full audit and manual fixes are the only way forward.
Need help? I offer full GMC restoration, Google Ads disapproval fixes, and monthly management services. Contact me today for expert assistance!
