What is the difference between prohibited and restricted products in Google Merchant Center?

Prohibited products are banned entirely from Google Shopping ads regardless of circumstances. Restricted products are allowed in some situations with additional requirements, such as age verification, country targeting, or certification. Examples: firearms are prohibited. Alcohol is restricted (allowed only in certain countries with proper certification).

Will Google suspend my account for one prohibited product listing?

Not necessarily. Google often disapproves individual items without suspending the account. However, repeated violations, intentional misrepresentation, or large-scale presence of prohibited products leads to account-level suspension. Google's policy enforcement is automated, so a cluster of prohibited products flagged by the system can trigger a review and account-level action.

Can I appeal a suspension caused by prohibited products?

Yes, if you remove the prohibited products and can demonstrate compliance. The appeal process requires you to explain what changes you made. Appeals for prohibited product suspensions are reviewed by a human team. If the prohibited products are central to your catalog rather than a small subset, approval is less likely without significant catalog changes.

Google Merchant Center Prohibited Products: What You Cannot Sell in Shopping Ads

Not every product is eligible for Google Shopping ads. Google maintains a list of prohibited and restricted products that covers several categories. Submitting prohibited products to Merchant Center can result in item disapprovals, and repeated or widespread violations lead to account suspension. Understanding these limits before you build your product feed saves considerable time.

Fully prohibited products (cannot be sold under any circumstances)

Counterfeit goods top the list. Products that imitate branded items without authorization, whether that means fake designer handbags or imitation electronics, are prohibited. This extends to products that use brand names or logos without a license.

Dangerous products include items that pose an unreasonable health or safety risk. This category covers certain weapons, weapon components, and products that enable illegal activity. Specific examples: products designed to modify firearms to fire automatically, hacking or surveillance tools marketed for illegal purposes, and products containing substances classified as controlled under applicable law.

Gambling-related products and services are generally prohibited, though there are narrow exceptions for licensed operators in specific countries with Google certification.

Tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and related accessories designed for tobacco use, are prohibited globally.

Prescription drugs cannot be advertised without specific authorization. Non-prescription supplements that make drug claims (claiming to treat, cure, or prevent diseases) are also prohibited.

Restricted products (allowed with conditions)

Alcohol is a restricted category. Sales of alcoholic beverages through Shopping ads are permitted only in certain countries, require that the advertiser targets only legal drinking age audiences, and must comply with local regulations. Merchants in eligible countries can apply for access.

Adult content is restricted to verified adult content certification, proper age gating, and country-level eligibility. Default Shopping campaigns cannot show adult products without explicit authorization.

Healthcare and medicines fall into a complex restricted category. OTC medicines, medical devices, and certain health products are allowed but require compliance with local pharmacy laws and Google's healthcare certification program in some markets.

Financial products (credit cards, loans, insurance) require additional certification and compliance with financial advertising policies.

Gambling services require country-specific approval and gaming license certification.

Common misunderstandings that lead to suspensions

Replica or inspired-by products are frequently submitted by sellers who believe they are compliant. If a product description uses brand names without authorization (even phrases like "inspired by Rolex" or "looks like a Chanel bag"), Google treats it as a counterfeit attempt and disapproves or suspends the account.

Hunting and fishing gear is generally allowed, but products that cross into weapons components (certain knife types, accessories that modify weapons) can trigger disapprovals. Review the specific item-level policies for these categories.

Dietary supplements are allowed if they make only structure/function claims. Any claim that a supplement treats a medical condition crosses into pharmaceutical territory and violates the prescription drug policy. Audit your product descriptions for phrases like "treats," "cures," "reduces symptoms of," or "prevents."

How to check your catalog for prohibited items

Go to the Products section in Merchant Center and filter by disapproval reason. Items disapproved for policy violations will show the specific policy cited. Address each disapproval before filing an account-level appeal if your account has been suspended. Submitting an appeal while prohibited items remain in your feed results in automatic denial.