If you’re running a WooCommerce store on WordPress and trying to get your products listed on Google Shopping, you’ve probably already met the not-so-fun side of Google Merchant Center: the errors.
Google can be a little picky. One small mistake in your product feed, and suddenly your items are disapproved or not showing at all. But don’t worry — most of these errors are fixable, even if you’re not a developer or a tech wizard.
Let’s walk through the top 7 most common Google Merchant Center errors WordPress users face, and how to fix each one step by step.
1. Missing Product Identifiers (GTIN, MPN, Brand)
What it means:
Google wants to uniquely identify your products using things like GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), MPN (Manufacturer Part Number), or brand. If any of these are missing, your products might get flagged or disapproved.
Why it happens:
WooCommerce doesn’t collect this info by default, so your feed ends up incomplete.
How to fix it:
- Add a plugin like Product GTIN (EAN, UPC, ISBN) or WooCommerce UPC, EAN and ISBN to add GTIN fields to your product pages.
- For custom or handmade items that don’t have GTINs, set
identifier_exists = noin your feed plugin. - Always enter a brand name — even if it’s just your own store name.
2. Price Mismatch Between Feed and Website
What it means:
Google checks your website to make sure the price in your product feed matches what’s actually shown. If there’s any difference, the product can get disapproved.
Why it happens:
- You’re using sale prices that aren’t synced in the feed.
- Caching plugins serve outdated info to Google.
- The feed includes prices without tax, but your site shows tax-inclusive prices.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your feed plugin is pulling both regular and sale prices correctly.
- Use dynamic pricing-compatible caching, or exclude product pages from being cached.
- Match your feed’s pricing format to how it appears on your site (tax-inclusive or exclusive).
3. Image Issues (Too Small, Missing, or Blocked)
What it means:
Google requires product images to be at least 250×250 pixels, clean (no watermarks), and fully accessible. If the image is missing, too small, or blocked, your product will be rejected.
Why it happens:
- WooCommerce product images are small or missing.
- Your site uses lazy loading or custom image handling.
- Googlebot can’t access the image URLs.
How to fix it:
- Make sure each product has a real, high-quality image (minimum 250×250).
- Disable watermarks, logos, or text overlays.
- Test image URLs directly in your browser or with Google Search Console.
- Avoid blocking image folders in your
robots.txt.
4. Unavailable Landing Page
What it means:
Google tries to visit your product page but either gets an error or sees that the product is out of stock. It won’t list items that aren’t available to the public.
Why it happens:
- You’re using maintenance mode or coming soon pages.
- The product is out of stock or hidden.
- Google is blocked by a login page or firewall.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your site is live and publicly accessible (disable maintenance mode).
- Check that all feed products are in stock and marked as “published.”
- Don’t require a login to view product pages.
- Use Search Console’s “URL Inspection Tool” to see what Google sees.
5. Shipping Configuration Errors
What it means:
Google wants to know how much shipping will cost before a customer clicks your ad. If your feed and Merchant Center settings don’t include this, your product might not be approved.
Why it happens:
- You haven’t set up shipping settings in Merchant Center.
- Your feed doesn’t include shipping data (not required if Merchant Center handles it, but helpful).
- Your WooCommerce shipping rules don’t match what Google expects.
How to fix it:
- Go to Merchant Center > Tools > Shipping and returns.
- Set up your shipping zones and costs based on what you offer in WooCommerce.
- For free shipping, be sure to mark it as free both on your site and in Merchant Center.
6. Policy Violations (Disallowed Content, Missing Pages)
What it means:
Google has strict policies about what you can and can’t sell, and what your site must include (like refund policies and contact info). If you’re missing key info, your products — or even your whole account — could be suspended.
Why it happens:
- Your site is missing a return policy or terms of service page.
- You used language in your product titles that’s against Google’s ad rules (“Best Deal,” “Limited Time Only,” etc.)
- You’re selling restricted items like supplements or medical devices without proper approval.
How to fix it:
- Add a clear refund/return policy in your website footer.
- Avoid promotional phrases in titles and descriptions — stick to plain, factual info.
- Check Google’s prohibited content policies if you’re unsure about what you’re selling.
7. Feed Fetch or Format Issues
What it means:
Your product feed isn’t being read correctly — either the file is broken, the URL is invalid, or the format doesn’t follow Google’s specs.
Why it happens:
- Your feed plugin isn’t generating a valid XML or TXT feed.
- The feed URL has changed or is private.
- You uploaded a file manually instead of using a scheduled fetch.
How to fix it:
- Always use Scheduled Fetch in Google Merchant Center with a working URL.
- Use a reliable plugin like CTX Feed or Product Feed PRO — they have templates built for Google Shopping.
- Set your feed to auto-update daily or hourly depending on how often your store changes.
- Test your feed URL directly in the browser — it should download a live file.
Bonus Tip: Use Google Merchant Center Diagnostics Weekly
Even if everything seems to be working, issues can pop up overnight.
That’s why it’s smart to:
- Check your Diagnostics tab in Merchant Center at least once a week.
- Keep an eye on the “Products” section for new warnings or disapprovals.
- Monitor your feed status to make sure it’s updating and syncing correctly.
Final Thoughts
Google Merchant Center errors can feel frustrating — especially when your products disappear without warning. But most of these issues come down to small, fixable problems.
Once you understand the common causes and how to handle them, it gets a lot easier. Keep your product data clean, your feed synced, and your policies clear, and you’ll be in good shape.
And if you’re stuck trying to troubleshoot an error that just won’t go away, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s always a fix — and getting your products back in front of buyers is worth it.
Need a hand fixing one of these issues on your store? Drop a message and I’ll help you walk through it.
