Counterfeit products
Google believes a product is a counterfeit or imitation passing itself off as a genuine brand, which is banned and can suspend the account.
What this error means
Google does not allow counterfeit goods, meaning products that copy a brand's trademark or logo to look like the genuine article. This is one of the most serious policy issues, so it can move quickly from item disapproval to an account suspension.
Why it happens
The trigger is a product that appears to pass itself off as a brand it is not. Words such as knock off, replica, imitation, clone, faux, fake, or mirror image alongside a brand name are common signals, but it is not only the words. Using another brand's logo, trademarked imagery, or product photos in a way that implies the item is genuine counts too. Sometimes a legitimate compatible or unbranded product is flagged because its title, description, or images imply it is the branded original. So the cause is either a genuinely counterfeit item, or wording and imagery that make an honest product look like a fake.
How to fix it
- Read the exact policy in Merchant Center to see which products were flagged.
- If a product is genuinely counterfeit, it cannot run on Google Shopping. Remove it from the feed permanently.
- If a legitimate compatible or unbranded product was misclassified, rewrite the title and description so they do not imply it is the branded original, then request a review.
- Never describe an item as a replica or imitation of a brand.
Fixing it in your store
Misclassification usually comes from listing compatible accessories or generic products with a brand name in a way that reads as the real thing, for example "iPhone case, replica leather" or a brand name used as the product's own. Describe compatible products as "compatible with" rather than as the brand, use your own or the true manufacturer's brand, and make sure images do not show another brand's logo. For genuinely counterfeit stock, the only safe action is to stop selling it.
How long until it clears
Removing genuinely infringing products resolves the item issue immediately. If the account was suspended, expect a reinstatement review that takes from a few days to a few weeks.
Reference: Google's documentation
Related errors
Prohibited or dangerous products
Your product is in a category Google does not allow at all, so it is disapproved and repeated or egregious cases can suspend the account.
Restricted products
Your product falls under a restricted category, so Google may limit where it can show until you meet the category-specific requirements.
Misrepresentation of self or business
Google suspended the whole account because it could not verify enough trust signals like return policy, contact details, and payment information.
Still disapproved?
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