Why Your Products Get Disapproved on Google Shopping (And How to Fix It)
Nothing is more frustrating than logging into Google Merchant Center to find your products disapproved. You've spent hours setting up your feed, and now you're seeing red warnings everywhere. Don't panic — most disapprovals are fixable.
In this guide, we'll cover the top 10 reasons products get disapproved and exactly how to fix each one.
⚠️ Important Note
Google's policies change frequently. This guide is updated for 2026, but always check the official Merchant Center policies for the latest requirements.
The Top 10 Disapproval Reasons (And Fixes)
1. Price Mismatch
Error: "Mismatched value (page crawl): price"
Why it happens: The price in your feed doesn't match the price on your landing page. Google crawls your site and compares.
How to fix:
- Ensure your feed updates whenever prices change
- Include the correct currency code
- Match sale prices exactly (including cents)
- Don't forget to include tax if your landing page shows it
Example: Feed shows $49.99, but landing page shows $54.99 with tax included
2. Missing or Invalid GTIN
Error: "Invalid GTIN" or "Missing identifier"
Why it happens: Products with known brands need valid GTINs (UPC/EAN). Google validates these against their database.
How to fix:
- Get correct GTINs from your supplier or manufacturer
- Use
identifier_exists = falsefor custom/handmade products - Provide MPN + Brand if GTIN is unavailable
- Never make up GTINs — Google will catch it
3. Image Issues
Error: "Image too small" / "Promotional overlay on image"
Why it happens: Google has strict image requirements for Shopping ads.
✅ Good Images
- • Minimum 100x100px (800x800 recommended)
- • White or transparent background
- • Product fills 75-90% of frame
- • Clear, well-lit, no blur
❌ Bad Images
- • Watermarks or logos
- • Promotional text ("Sale!", "Free Shipping")
- • Placeholder or generic images
- • Multiple products in one image
4. Policy Violation: Prohibited Content
Error: "Policy violation" / "Prohibited content"
Common prohibited categories:
- Weapons and ammunition
- Recreational drugs and tobacco
- Counterfeit goods
- Adult content (without proper setup)
- Healthcare products making unverified claims
How to fix: Review Google's Shopping policies. Some products can be approved with restrictions or in specific countries.
5. Missing Required Attributes
Error: "Missing required attribute: [attribute]"
Required attributes for all products:
| Attribute | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| id | ✅ Always | Unique product identifier |
| title | ✅ Always | Max 150 characters |
| description | ✅ Always | Max 5000 characters |
| link | ✅ Always | Product landing page URL |
| image_link | ✅ Always | Main product image |
| price | ✅ Always | Include currency |
| availability | ✅ Always | in_stock, out_of_stock, preorder |
| brand | ⚠️ Conditional | Required if product has a brand |
| gtin | ⚠️ Conditional | Required for branded products |
| condition | ⚠️ Conditional | Required if not new |
6. Landing Page Issues
Error: "Unavailable landing page" / "Crawl issue"
Common causes:
- 404 errors (product deleted but still in feed)
- Robots.txt blocking Googlebot
- Slow page load times
- Redirect chains or loops
- Login walls or age gates
7. Shipping Configuration Issues
Error: "Missing shipping information"
How to fix:
- Set up shipping in Merchant Center settings, OR
- Include shipping attributes in your feed
- Ensure shipping costs match your website
8. Adult Content Not Properly Configured
If you sell adult products, you need to:
- Mark products with
adult = yes - Enable adult content in Merchant Center settings
- Some categories are restricted to specific countries
9. Trademark Issues
Error: "Trademark violation"
Using brand names you're not authorized to sell can trigger disapprovals. If you're an authorized reseller, you may need to:
- Request trademark authorization in Merchant Center
- Provide documentation of your reseller agreement
10. Suspicious or Misleading Content
Google watches for:
- Unrealistic discounts (99% off)
- Misleading titles or descriptions
- Hidden costs revealed at checkout
- Fake reviews or testimonials
How to Check and Fix Disapprovals
- Go to Merchant Center → Products → Diagnostics
- Click on each issue to see affected products
- Download the report for bulk analysis
- Fix issues in your feed or product pages
- Request re-review after fixing
Tired of manual feed fixes?
NextFeed automatically validates your feed and catches issues before Google does.
Try NextFeed Free →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Google to re-review products? ▼
Usually 24-72 hours for automatic re-crawls. Manual review requests can take 3-7 business days.
Can I appeal a disapproval? ▼
Yes! If you believe the disapproval is incorrect, you can request a manual review in Merchant Center. Provide evidence that you comply with policies.
Will disapprovals affect my account standing? ▼
A few disapprovals won't hurt you. But consistent violations or ignoring warnings can lead to account suspension. Fix issues promptly.