Google Merchant Center
Google’s product for uploading offers and showing them in Shopping ads and free listings. It is the native dashboard for diagnostics and reviews — not a marketplace for selling the store.
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Glossary
Real industry terms only. Each entry cites Google Help or a documented GMC Marketplace page.
Misrepresentation
A Shopping policy about offers and destinations that could leave customers feeling misled. Google calls violations egregious, may suspend without warning, and describes reinstatement as happening only in compelling circumstances.
Account suspension
An account-level Merchant Center action that can disable products from Shopping surfaces. It may follow an unresolved warning, or happen immediately on an egregious issue. It does not time out.
Product disapproval
An item-level action: a specific offer does not serve. Other products on the account can remain eligible. It is not the same as an account suspension.
Warning period
For most violations Google emails a warning and gives 7 or 28 calendar days to fix. Products may keep limited visibility. Egregious issues may get no warning.
Request a review
The Merchant Center action after you have fixed the website and account (or if you disagree with the issue). Reviews typically take up to 7 business days. Fix first; do not spend a review on a half-fixed store.
Courtesy review
Google’s published process allows one courtesy review during a warning period, in addition to the automatic review at the end if violating products were removed.
Cool-down period
After a suspension, Google says unsuccessful reviews can start a cool-down: the review button is disabled and the cool-down may increase. Google did not publish “N attempts.”
Insufficient information
Editorial and technical language for missing or unclear contact, shipping, or business information on the website or in Merchant Center — not a missing feed attribute alone.
Website needs improvement
A destination issue grouped with misrepresentation on the warnings page. The published audit is consistent business info, policy links, working links, HTTPS checkout, and identity verification.
Untrustworthy promotions
Misleading prices, hidden conditions, or offers that start a purchase without full disclosure. Covered by misrepresentation, Shopping ads policies, and promotions policies — not a Marketplace scanner.
Identity verification (Google)
Merchant Center’s own identity check, using documents that match account data. Separate from GMC Marketplace’s Verified / Trusted / Elite trust tiers.
Shopping ads
Paid product ads that use Merchant Center offer data. They must follow Shopping ads policies, including misrepresentation and site requirements.
Free listings
Organic product listings that also use Merchant Center data and the same Shopping policies. A suspension can disable products across Shopping surfaces, not only paid ads.
Product feed
The product data source you send to Merchant Center. Feed tools help titles and attributes. They do not replace the website audit Google publishes.
Needs attention
The Merchant Center surface (and the Google & YouTube app on Shopify) where warning and account-level issues are listed, including the path to request a review.
Asset Purchase Agreement (APA)
The per-deal contract GMC Marketplace issues after sale terms are agreed. Buyer and seller each sign an anonymous counterpart in chat. Payment cannot be requested until both have signed.
Platform Transaction Terms
The marketplace terms you accept when you list or enquire. They are not the per-deal APA. Keep the two documents distinct.
Records Custodian
Tagan Labs LLC holds both executed APA counterparts, audit logs, and a confidential Identity Schedule. Counterparties do not see each other’s legal identity on the contract.
Buyer Protection
Included on every GMC Marketplace deal: admin-guided handover, APA before payment, and seller payout after the buyer confirms transfer. It does not guarantee future GMC, ads, or payments outcomes.
Trust tier
Unverified, Verified (identity confirmed), Trusted (verified + 1+ completed deals), or Elite (verified + 3+ completed deals). A platform badge, not a Google status.
Established GMC history
Seller-disclosed, admin-reviewed Merchant Center (or Meta ads) history on a listing — age, feeds, metrics. Not a Google certificate that the account will stay approved after transfer.
Under offer
A GMC Marketplace listing status meaning a deal is in progress. It is not a Merchant Center policy state.
Sale agreed
The deal milestone when buyer and seller have agreed price and assets. That is when GMC Marketplace issues the APA. It is not a Google review milestone.
Store transfer
Handover of the Shopify or WooCommerce store, domain, Merchant Center or Meta access, and agreed credentials, guided by admin. Seller is paid after the buyer confirms.
Listing review
Admin review of a seller’s submitted listing before it is public. Usually within 24 hours as a platform process. It is not a Merchant Center policy scan.
Seller commission
Charged only when a store sells: the greater of $500 or 15% of the sale price, paid by the seller. Buyers pay no commission. Boosted listings use a higher rate from the same fee schedule.
