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Google Merchant Center suspensions can be frustrating, especially when the account gets reinstated . . . only to be suspended again later. This cycle happens more often than many advertisers expect. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horns explains why Google Merchant Center suspensions can happen repeatedly. Perhaps more importantly: He explains how to reduce the chances of it happening again. One...

Google Merchant Center suspensions can happen for many reasons, but one common issue advertisers face is the “Website Needs Improvement” suspension. This usually means Google has detected problems with your website’s functionality, content, or user experience. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn walks through the most common issues that trigger this suspension and how to fix them. Common causes...

Google Merchant Center suspensions are brutal, but most are fixable . . . IF you audit the right things before you appeal. In this 2026 step-by-step guide, we walk through the 4 areas you need to audit to improve your chances of getting reinstated: -Merchant Center settings -Product feed and data quality -Your website and policy pages -Your digital footprint (especially reviews) If you’re dealing...

Has your Google Ads account been suspended for Public Figure Impersonation? This falls under Google’s Unacceptable Business Practices policy and usually means Google believes you're falsely claiming affiliation with: • A government official • A celebrity • An influencer • A CEO • A well-known brand Sometimes the suspension is legitimate. But it's common for advertisers to be wrongly flagged. In th...

Should you hire an expert to fix your Google Ads suspension? When Google suspends your ad account, you don’t get clear answers.  You get vague policy references, automated responses, and VERY little guidance on what actually went wrong. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn breaks down: • Why Google doesn’t walk you through the fix • What suspension experts actually do • What experts can and can’...

If you resell luxury handbags, watches, designer clothing, or other high-end goods, you’re at a higher risk of getting suspended by Google Ads or Google Merchant Center. Why? Because this space is FULL of counterfeiters and scammers.  And Google knows it. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn breaks down: -Why Google is so aggressive in suspending luxury resellers -The biggest red flags that trig...

Google is aggressive when it comes to auto parts sellers.  If you sell car parts online, your Google Ads or Merchant Center account is at higher risk of suspension than most industries. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn breaks down the biggest red flags Google looks for, including: • Missing brand relationship disclaimers • Bad reviews and poor reputation management • Outdated or unprofession...

Was your Google Ads Manager Account (also known as an MCC) hacked and possibly suspended by Google?  This video walks you through EXACTLY what to do next. MCC hacks are becoming increasingly common and can completely shut down your ability to run ads for clients or your own business.  In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn walks explains the critical first steps you MUST take to fix the hack, docu...

If your Google Merchant Center account is suspended for “sale of service,” or you want to avoid this suspension altogether, this video walks you through exactly what Google is flagging and how to fix it. Google has very different rules for what can be advertised through Google Shopping and Merchant Center compared to regular Google Ads. One of the most common issues we are seeing is merchants unkn...

Google has officially announced the timeline for sunsetting Google Call Ads, previously known as Call Only Ads.  StubGroup CEO John Horn breaks down what's changing, when those changes take effect, and what it actually means for advertisers who rely on phone calls for lead generation. You will learn: -What Google Call Ads are and how they work -When you can no longer create new Call Ads -When exis...

Are Google Ads suspensions permanent?  The short answer: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains when Google Ads suspensions truly are permanent. And when they can still be overturned, even if Google explicitly says they’re permanent.  He breaks down what Google reps can (and can’t) tell you, why “permanent suspension” emails aren’t always the final word, and how some adverti...

AI phone answering tools are becoming more popular, but they're not a one-size-fits-all solution. StubGroup CEO John Horn breaks down the real-world pros and cons of using AI to answer inbound phone calls.  Based on firsthand experience working with businesses of all sizes, from small local companies to large enterprises, he explains when AI phone answering works well, when it causes problems, and...

If your Google Ads account has been suspended for phishing under Google’s Unacceptable Business Practices policy, this video will help you understand why it happens and how to fix it. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains what Google actually means by phishing, why legitimate businesses are often flagged incorrectly, and the most common scenarios StubGroup sees when helping advertisers recover from the...

Misrepresentation is the number one reason Google Merchant Center accounts get suspended.  And fixing it is rarely simple. Let StubGroup CEO John Horn walk you through how his team fixed a Google Merchant Center suspension caused by misrepresentation and 'website needs improvement' flags.  Based on StubGroup’s 2025 suspension research, nearly 90% of Merchant Center suspensions involve misrepresent...

If you're seeing the “No physical stores found in countries of sale” flag in Google Merchant Center, this video will help you understand why it appears and how to fix it. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains what triggers this flag, why some Merchant Center accounts are even suspended because of it, and the EXACT steps StubGroup has used to resolve this issue for clients. You will learn: -What the “No...

There are six critical things to include in a Google Ads appeal to maximize your chances of success. You will learn: -How to structure an appeal so it is taken seriously -What tone to use and what to avoid -How to clearly explain what you fixed and how you fixed it -When to include links and documentation -What not to say if you want your appeal approved John also explains common mistakes advertis...

Jeremy Irons, owner of Irons Design, had his Google Ads account permanently suspended with no warning.  Google cited a Circumventing Systems violation, rejected multiple appeals instantly, and provided no clarity on what went wrong. For seven months, Jeremy lost his primary source of leads and felt completely stuck. After exhausting every option, he reached out to StubGroup for help. In this testi...

Do you advertise in a sensitive vertical? Good news: Google just opened up a POWERFUL new targeting option for you.  They now allow the use of custom segments in display campaigns governed by the Personalized Advertising policy. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains what this update means and how it impacts your ability to reach the right audiences in a compliant way.  You'll learn: -What Google consid...

If you incentivize product reviews and send those reviews to Google Merchant Center, you MUST label them correctly.  Or Google might suspend your account. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains Google’s November 2025 policy update that affects e-commerce businesses using Google Shopping.  You'll learn: -When incentivized product reviews are allowed -The new is_incentivized_review field and how it works...

Google has updated its Unacceptable Phone Number policy. And using the wrong number in your ads could now cause disapprovals or even a full account suspension. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains Google’s December 2025 update and what it means for call assets, call only ads, and location assets.  You’ll learn: -What Google’s new unacceptable phone number policy includes -How spam reports and fraudule...

Google has released new information about how they're handling Google Ads account suspensions and appeals.  As a team that works on suspensions every day, StubGroup sees firsthand what's changing. In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn responds to Google’s recent blog post and walks through what these updates ACTUALLY mean for advertisers.  You'll learn: -What Google says has improved in the suspe...

If you're required to complete advertiser verification or business operations verification, this update is CRITICAL. Google has released new guidance (November 2025) about how incorrect verification submissions are now treated under the Circumventing Systems policy.  This includes new examples, stricter interpretation, and increased suspension risk for anything Google views as false, edited, or mi...

Will your Google Ads account get suspended if you have disapproved ads?  The short answer is no, not automatically.  But depending on the type of disapproval and how many of them you let accumulate, you could be at risk. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains the difference between a simple ad disapproval and an account-level suspension.  You will learn: -When a disapproved ad is harmless and when it is...

A great Google Ads consultation should not only review your campaigns.  It should help you make more money. StubGroup CEO John Horn explains the nine core areas EVERY consultation must cover to improve results.  These are the questions and strategy points that separate weak audits from revenue-driving ones. You will learn: -Why your goals, numbers, and business model MUST guide your ad strategy -H...

Google’s Three Strike Policy can make or break your ad account.  StubGroup CEO John Horn walks through EXACTLY how the three-strike process works, what each strike means, and what you can do to recover your account.  BEFORE it’s too late. You’ll learn: -How Google’s warning, first, second, and third strikes work -Real examples (like a retailer mistakenly flagged for selling “weapons”) -How to appe...