How to Fix Google Merchant Suspensions for Adult Products?

Has your Google Merchant Center (GMC) account been suspended due to adult products or content? You are not alone. Many merchants face this GMC error. This is because Google has strict policies when it comes to adult-oriented content for Shopping ads. Even small mistakes that violate its policies can lead to suspension of your Merchant Center account.

If you don’t intervene promptly and fix the adult-content policy violations, your account can face some serious complications. Your products will stay disapproved, you will not be able to run any product-based ads, and in some cases, your Merchant Center account can even be suspended permanently! All of this can damage your brand reputation and hurt your overall business performance.

So, how do we deal with these types of adult content policy-related suspensions?

We have created this blog to help you understand that. It covers the reasons, fixes, and steps to reinstate your GMC account, which has been suspended due to explicit (adult) products.

Note: In this blog, we use “adult products” and “adult content” interchangeably. The adult-oriented policy applies to both. “Adult products” refers to the actual items, which can be suspended if not allowed. “Adult content” refers to the related text, images, and descriptions used for those products.

Understanding Google’s Adult Content Policy

Google has strict policies for adult-oriented content that apply to shopping ads and local inventory ads. Its systems restrict Shopping ads that feature:

• Adult merchandise
• Content that is sexually suggestive 
• Images that expose skin or nudity

These restrictions prevent Shopping ads from appearing on Google Search and being served to minors. 

Additionally, Google also states that while listing adult content, you cannot: 

• Violate the laws of any particular region (location) you want to target
• Target minors
• List content that is sexually explicit
• Include underage or non-consensual sexual themes
• Promote services that imply sexual acts are being provided in exchange for compensation 

Apart from this, under this policy, Google classifies certain types of content to make sure that it is only shown to relevant audiences. These content types include: 

1. Prohibited adult content
2. Restricted adult content 

Prohibited Adult Content

Prohibited adult content includes content types that Google will not allow under any circumstances. Some examples of prohibited adult content can be: 

1. Sexually explicit content: Includes any type of text, image, audio, or video of sexual acts. Examples can include hardcore pornography, cartoon porn, etc. 

Additionally, deepfake pornography or even other tools to create such content fall under this category. 

2. Non-consensual sexual content: Content that promotes non-consensual or underage sexual themes is also prohibited. Examples can include rape, incest, etc. 
3. Child sexual abuse content: If the content in any way promotes the sexual exploitation of minors, then it is not allowed. 

Restricted Adult Content 

Restricted adult content is allowed, but with limits. It includes: 

1. Adult merchandise: Includes sex toys and other merchandise that are used for the purpose of enhancing sexual activity. 
2. Sexually suggestive content: Any type of text, video, image, or audio form of content that is sexually suggestive in nature. For example, erotic DVDs or explicit lingerie promotions. 
3. Nudity: Nudity that focuses on private body parts (e.g., visible genitals, bare buttocks, etc.)

In case you are selling products that are for adults and contain adult content, such as nudity, and these are mainly used for enhancing sexual activities, then you need to indicate the same to Google. 

How? By using the adult [adult] attribute for all such products in your Google feed. 

Additionally, if your entire store mainly focuses on selling adult products and contains adult content, then you must configure account-level settings to indicate that to Google. 

Here’s the step-by-step process that you must follow: 

• In your Merchant Center account, navigate to ‘Your Business’ in the left-hand side menu. 

• Click on ‘Business info.’
• Under ‘Details’, click on ‘Business details’ and then ‘Edit business details.’

• Scroll down to Adult content. 

• Check the box that declares to Google that your website focuses mainly on adult-oriented content. 
• Save the changes. 

Google’s Country-Specific Requirements For Adult-Oriented Content

Along with the requirements we discussed above, Google also enforces country-specific restrictions for adult content. This means that what’s allowed in one region may not be, in a different region. 

Countries where Google strictly prohibits adult content include:

• Algeria
• Bahrain
• Belarus
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• Georgia
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Morocco
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Oman
• Peru
• Philippines
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Vietnam

Note:  1. In Germany, adult-oriented content and products are allowed but with limitations. 2. All countries, such as the United States of America or the United Kingdom, that are not listed above allow the promotion of restricted adult products. But remember, by nature, these items may be shown to users, but they will be restricted in terms of their performance and targeting.

Common Reasons for GMC Account Suspensions due to Adult Content

Now, let’s specifically understand some common reasons that lead to Google Merchant Center suspensions due to explicit (adult) products. 

1. Listing prohibitive content: If you list any prohibited product or if its content is violating Google’s adult content policy, then you are likely to face suspension. 
2. Failure to use the adult [adult] attribute: If you fail to indicate to Google that you are marketing adult products with the [adult] attribute, Google will classify that as a policy violation. At first, it will result in warnings like “Non-family safe content.” But if you don’t resolve it and repeatedly get such warnings, Google will most likely suspend your GMC account. 

Note: The point shared above is applicable for eligible regions and products that Google supports.

3. Explicit or Inappropriate images: Product images that are explicit in nature or promote nudity or any sexual pose can cause violations. For example, Google doesn’t have issues if you are selling lingerie. But if the lingerie is displayed on a model, that too with a provocative pose, then your account can get suspended. 

Thus, the rule of thumb is to avoid using images that are very explicit in nature and don’t comply with Google’s extensive policies. 

4. Usage of adult content keywords: Sometimes, Google’s automated systems also flag products because of certain keywords in titles or descriptions that can be misinterpreted as sexually suggestive, even if the product is a non-adult item and complies with Google’s policies.

After researching, we found some insightful examples where common words triggered disapproval.

• A merchant shared that their product title included the phrase “fast-relief,” which led to product disapproval. This is because Google’s systems thought it to be sexually suggestive. 
• In another case, a merchant had a descripton which used the phrase “snood cum hood”. The word “cum” turned out to be inappropriate for which Google flagged the item. 

Thus, always review your product feed data to ensure there aren’t any words that Google’s automated systems misinterpret. 

5. Issues with landing page content: Remember, Google’s policy extends beyond your data feed. 

• Google has strictly mentioned that if a product isn’t adult-oriented, then you shouldn’t add any type of adult content on its landing page. If you cannot avoid adding adult content in any case, then either mark those products and your entire website as adult-oriented. 
• Additionally, any of the prohibited content shouldn’t be visible on your website. For example, you can’t have banners, pop-ups, or sidebars showing explicit images, or sex toys in use.

6. Country-specific limitations: If any type of adult content is considered to be prohibited in a country where the merchant is residing or targeting, then your Merchant Center account can get suspended. Moreover, such violations are considered egregious, meaning you may never be allowed to advertise with Google again. 

How to Fix a Suspension for Adult Content Violations?

Whenever there’s a violation of the adult content policy, Google first sends merchants a warning email. That warning email includes the list of issues for which Google suspended your account. And, that email also includes a 7-28 day period within which you need to fix the issue. 

In case you don’t make the requested changes to your product or website information within that time period, then Google can suspend your account. Or, even if there is an egregious violation, Google will directly suspend your account without issuing any warning. 

Let’s now go through the step-by-step process to learn how you can reinstate your suspended account. 

Step 1: Read Google’s Adult Content Policy

Ensure that you read Google’s adult-oriented content policy. This will help you better understand what type of products and related content are allowed and what is prohibited. Moreover, the policy page will also help you understand if the country you reside in or are targeting allows the promotion of adult products. 

Step 2: Identify the Specific Issues

Then, check the specific product or account-level issues that Google has highlighted while suspending your account for adult content policy violations. There are multiple sources to check these issues: 

1. Review the email sent by Google for your account’s suspension. It will include a list of all the issues that Google detected with your account or items. 
2. Click on the ‘Fix’ button, which you can find on the banner at the top of your Merchant Center account. That will take you to the in-product flow, where you can view the list of all account-level issues. 

3. Or simply go to “Products” and then “Needs Attention” in your Merchant Center account. You will find all types of warnings, disapprovals, and issues in the summary cards.

Note: The adult-oriented content policy is broad, and therefore, Google may not always highlight the exact reasons why it suspended your account. As a best practice, you are always recommended to check your entire website and feed to ensure compliance.

Step 3: Take the Required Actions to Resolve Adult Content Policy Violations

Next, whether you identified the exact violations or not in the previous step, you must address all potential issues.

• Start by reviewing your website data. If any shopping ad or product listing leads to a landing page that has some specific content that violates Google’s adult content policy, then you must remove it. In fact, even if the content is not adult but has been displayed in an appropriate manner or is profane and violates Google’s policy, you must fix it. 
• Next, you must also review the products that are violating the policies and have either received warnings or been disapproved. You can try to fix the issues with those products (if there is scope, as they might be restricted but allowed with limitations) or remove them entirely from your Google Shopping feed. 

Step 4: Update your Merchant Center Data 

• Once all issues are fixed, update your product data in Merchant Center. Ensure that you use the original product upload method you had employed initially to submit products on the Merchant Center. If it was using a feed management software, then use the same tool again. If you were using scheduled uploads, then you must wait for Google to update product data automatically. 

Until then, avoid requesting a review from Google. 

• Also, please check for other issues as well. For example, if earlier you didn’t inform Google that your website and products are adult-oriented, then you need to update your business details using the process we covered earlier in the blog.

Step 5: Ensure That the Linked Accounts Are Issue-Free

Before you request a review, just ensure that all associated accounts with your Google Merchant Center are issue-free. That means, for example, if you have a suspended Google Ads account linked to your GMC account, then requesting a review won’t help. 

First, you must reinstate your Google Ads account and only then appeal for a review of your Merchant Center suspension.  

Step 6: Request a Review 

Once you have fixed all the issues highlighted by Google, you can request an account review. 

Although please note that: 

• You don’t need to request a review if your GMC account is still within the 7-28 day warning period. At the end of that warning period, Google will automatically check your account again. 

Note: If you have removed those products that were violating Google’s adult content policies, then you can skip requesting account-level reviews or taking any action whatsoever.

• You can disagree with Google regarding certain warnings or product disapprovals. 

However, for such disagreements, Google will require additional reasons and explanations from your side. 

• If you are using a third-party platform for uploading products on GMC, then you will have to approach the platform’s team to request a review. You cannot do it on the Merchant Center. 
• Generally, Google takes around seven business days for reviews. In case it’s a complex review, where earlier multiple violations were raised, then Google may take longer than usual as well. In between, you should wait and not take any further actions, and avoid requesting more reviews, either.
• If your review is completed successfully and Google gives a green signal, you will not notice the warning anymore. Moreover, your products will get active and eligible again. 

Note: The process we discussed above was for account suspensions. But you need to follow the same process for product disapprovals or account issues that limit item visibility.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Getting suspended for adult content policy violations can be frustrating. But the good news is that suspensions can be easily avoided or fixed (unless it’s an egregious violation).

For that: 

• Understand Google’s adult content policy properly and ensure your feed data, landing pages, and account settings are compliant with it. 
• If you are promoting adult products that Google allows in a supported country, make sure to use the adult attribute in your feed. Also, configure the business details of your Merchant Center account accordingly. 
• Ensure that any element of your product, be it titles, descriptions, images, etc., isn’t profane or even sounds misleading. 
• Take Google’s adult content policy warnings seriously. If left unattended to, the same violations can translate into serious account issues and suspensions. 
• Review all flagged issues carefully and request a review only after all problems are fully resolved.

Good luck! 

FAQs

1. Do I have to delete my adult products from Merchant Center after receiving a warning? 

If those products are prohibited (for example, pornographic DVDs), then yes, you must delete them immediately. However, if you are promoting restricted products in a supported country, then label them as ‘adult’ in your feed. Also, your business details in GMC should reflect that your website contains adult content. 

2. How can I label my adult products correctly in Merchant Center?

Use the [adult] attribute in your feed. Currently, the accepted values for that attribute are yes [yes] or true [true] and no [no] or false [false].

3. Can I use the adult [adult] attribute to indicate suitable age groups for my products? 

No. For that, use the age group [age_group] attribute. 

4. Should I use the adult attribute for bundles that include both regular and adult products?

Yes. If any item in the bundle is considered adult content (such as a sex toy, erotic book, or lingerie), you must set the [adult] attribute to “yes” for the entire bundle. 

5. Can I create a Performance Max campaign for adult products? 

You can create PMax campaigns for adult products as well. However, there is a high chance that those products do not win many auctions and will always get fewer or no impressions. This is because of their restricted nature. 

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