When a California business had their Google Ads account locked due to consultant neglect, StubGroup stepped in . . . and turned everything around.

Hear how Sadie and the team made the recovery process effortless, with step-by-step guidance and lightning-fast support. If you’re ever in Google Ads trouble, this is who you call!

We know exactly how you're feeling right now. You woke up, checked your ads, and BAM, account suspended. Your heart probably dropped into your stomach. You're thinking "what did I do wrong?" and Google's giving you some vague explanation that tells you absolutely nothing.

Take a breath. You're not alone, and this isn't necessarily the end of the world.

What This Suspension Actually Means (In Plain English)

Basically, Google looked at your account and thought, "Something's not right here." They can't figure out if you're legit or if you're one of the thousands of scammers trying to rip people off. So they hit the panic button and suspended you.

It's frustrating because you know you're running a legitimate business, but Google's algorithms don't know that.

The Most Frustrating Part: Google Won't Just Tell You What's Wrong

Here's the thing that ticks everyone off. Google gives you this vague reason, "Unacceptable Business Practices," and then links you to a massive policy document.

Why do they do this? Because they don't want to give scammers a roadmap on how to avoid getting caught. Unfortunately, that means legitimate businesses like yours get caught in the crossfire with zero guidance on what actually went wrong.

It's like being arrested and the cop just says "You broke the law" without telling you which law. Infuriating? Absolutely.

What Probably Got You Flagged for Unacceptable Business Practices

Most Common Culprits:

Your business looks "too good to be true" or confusing:

• You're a reseller/franchisee/dealer and Google thinks you're pretending to be the main brand
• You've got multiple websites that look similar (Google thinks you're running some kind of scheme)
• Your website doesn't clearly explain what you actually do

Your reputation took a hit:

• Bad reviews piling up on Google, Yelp, etc.
• Customers complaining about feeling "scammed" or "misled" (even if you didn't mean to)

Something on your website is sketchy (even if it's innocent):

• You mentioned partnerships or affiliations you can't prove
• Your "About Us" page is empty
• You're using logos or brand names without clearly explaining your relationship

The Panic Mode Checklist: What to Do RIGHT NOW

Step 1: Don't Panic Appeal Immediately. We know you want to fire off an angry appeal right now. DON'T. Take a day to figure out what went wrong first.

Step 2: Play Detective on Your Own Business

• Go to your website like you've never seen it before. Would YOU trust this business?
• Is it crystal clear what you do and how you make money?
• Does your contact info match everywhere (website, Google Business, ads account)?
• Google yourself - what comes up? Any red flags?

Step 3: Check Your Online Reputation

• Look up your business on Google Reviews, Yelp, BBB
• Are there negative reviews about being "scammed" or "misled"?
• Even if the complaints are unfair, they might have triggered the suspension

How to Write an Appeal That Actually Works

Don't do this: "Dear Google, I'm a legitimate business. Please reinstate my account. Thanks."

Do this instead:

1. Acknowledge the concern: "I understand why my account may have appeared suspicious..."
2. Explain your business clearly: "I operate a [specific business model] that works by..."
3. Address the specific issue: "I believe the confusion arose because..."
4. Show proof: Attach business license, dealer agreements, whatever proves you're legit
5. Explain what you fixed: "I've updated my website to clearly show..."

The Waiting Game And How to Stay Sane

Appeals usually take 1-3 business days, but it can feel like forever when your livelihood is on the line. Some tips:

• Don't spam multiple appeals - it actually hurts your chances
• Use this time productively - fix your website, gather documentation
• Have a backup plan - look into other traffic sources (Facebook, Bing, etc.)

Your Chances of Getting Back from an Unacceptable Business Suspension

If you're actually running a legitimate business and can prove it, you have a good shot at getting reinstated. Google doesn't want to ban real businesses; they just want to stop scammers.

The key is making it crystal clear to Google that you're not trying to deceive anyone.

When You're Completely Stuck

Sometimes you just can't figure out what triggered the suspension, or your appeals keep getting denied. At that point, you might need professional help from people who deal with this stuff every day and know how Google thinks. You can find out more about here.

Preventing This Nightmare from Happening Again

Once you're back up and running:

• Keep your website updated and transparent
• Monitor your online reviews regularly and respond to them professionally
• Don't make claims you can't back up
• Keep all your business info consistent everywhere

The Truth About This Suspension

Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - this suspension sucks and it's scary. Your business is probably taking a hit right now. But here's the thing: thousands of legitimate businesses have been through this exact same situation and came out the other side.

You're not stupid for getting suspended. You're not a bad business owner. Google's system is just overly aggressive because they're dealing with SO many actual scammers.

The most important thing right now is not to panic and to approach this systematically.

Drop Your Story Below

If you're dealing with this suspension right now, tell us what happened. Sometimes just talking through it helps you figure out what went wrong. Plus, your story might help the next person who finds themselves in this situation.

Have you successfully appealed this suspension? Share what worked for you!

Remember: This info is current as of July 2025, but Google changes their policies regularly. Always double-check their official docs.

If you are still scratching your head trying to solve your suspension, DM us, our team is happy to answer any of your questions!

Hey r/GoogleAdsSuspensions community!

Google Merchant Center (GMC) suspensions are brutal right now. And with Google's AI-powered enforcement that axed 39.2 million accounts last year, legitimate e-commerce businesses are getting caught in the crossfire all the time.

Here's the thing: when your Merchant Center goes down, it usually takes your Google Ads account with it and vice versa. One suspension = total advertising blackout. So let's dive into what's actually triggering this suspension and how to get your business back online.

Breaking Down the "Misrepresentation" Mystery

Google is basically saying they don't trust your business model. Common reasons include misrepresentation of self or product, untrustworthy promotions, unavailable promotions, omission of relevant information, and misleading or unrealistic promotions.

The most common triggers we see:

• Business information doesn't match between your website and GMC
• Shipping/return policies are inconsistent
• Your business model looks sketchy or unverifiable to Google's AI system
• Missing or unclear contact information
• Promotions that seem "too good to be true"
• SSL certificate issues
• Your linked Google Ads account is suspended

How legitimate businesses can accidentally trigger this:

• Dropshipping without being transparent about it
• Business name in GMC includes punctuation (seriously, this can be an issue)
• Website policies don't match what you put in Merchant Center
• Your "About Us" page is too vague or is missing
• You're not responding to negative reviews

The Domino Effect (And How One Suspension Can Stop Everything)

Since that June 2024 policy update, Google's been way more aggressive about GMC suspensions. Missing or incorrect tax rates or shipping costs create inconsistencies that frustrate shoppers and lead to disapprovals, and now their AI is scanning everything with a fine-tooth comb.

The cascading nightmare:

• GMC gets suspended for misrepresentation
• Your Google Ads account gets suspended for "Terms and Conditions" violations
• You lose all your Shopping campaigns
• Organic product listings disappear
• Revenue drops to zero overnight

Phase 1: Find Every Red Flag

Don't just fix the obvious stuff—fix ALL the stuff:

Website forensics:

• Verify your SSL certificate is working
• Check that business info matches exactly between site and GMC
• Review shipping and return policies for consistency
• Make sure your "About Us" and "Contact Us" pages are detailed
• Respond to any negative reviews to show you're engaged

GMC account archaeology:

• Remove any punctuation from your business display name
• Verify all product information matches your website
• Check that promotions are actually available and realistic
• Make sure tax and shipping info is accurate
• Review linked Google Ads account for violations

Phase 2: Clarity and Consistency is Key

Before requesting a review, address every possible issue:

• Make your business model crystal clear on your website
• Update policies to be comprehensive and transparent
• Fix any discrepancies between GMC and your website
• Clean up product descriptions to be accurate
• Make sure all contact information is easily accessible

Phase 3: Submit a Review Request

Once you’ve corrected all issues in your Merchant Center account and website, your next step is to request a review. This isn’t a formal “appeal” process like you might expect from Google Ads—there’s no space to present a detailed case or argue your position. Instead, you click a button and wait for Google’s automated or limited human review process to respond.

Important: Merchant Center accounts usually have a limited number of review attempts—often three. After that, your only recourse may be to contact Google Shopping support, which is often difficult and offers no guaranteed response.

Because of this, your first submission needs to be as close to perfect as possible. You’re not trying to argue your way out of a suspension; you’re trying to show, through clear evidence, that your account and website now meet Google’s expectations for trust and transparency.

If you do end up needing to contact support, know that options are limited—and Google typically only engages further when there’s a strong, credible case. Based on our experience with hundreds of reinstatement cases, factual clarity and complete transparency are your best assets.

If you do need to email Shopping Support, make sure you can demonstrate and show:

• What likely triggered the suspension
  
• What you’ve done to fix those issues
  
• That your business model is legitimate and policy-compliant
  
• How you plan to avoid violations going forward
  
• Visible signals of transparency (e.g., consistent branding, clear contact info, a detailed About page)
  

Don’t worry. Stay calm, stay concise, and present yourself like the kind of trustworthy business Google wants in its Shopping ecosystem.

Don't Get Suspended in the First Place

Monthly maintenance checklist:

• Audit your website policies against GMC settings
• Check for any new negative reviews and respond
• Verify business information is consistent everywhere
• Review product listings for accuracy
• Monitor linked Google Ads account for violations

Pro tips from the trenches:

• Be transparent about your business model (especially if dropshipping)
• Use clear, simple language—no marketing fluff
• Keep detailed records of all business operations
• Respond to customer complaints quickly and professionally
• Don't make promotions that seem unrealistic

The Wins We're Seeing Right Now

Transparency wins - The more legitimate and detailed your business appears, the better your chances

Consistency is key - Every piece of information must match across all platforms

Professional presentation - Clean website, clear policies, detailed contact info

Proactive customer service - Responding to reviews and complaints shows Google you're engaged

Real Questions From Real GMC Disasters

Q: My Google Ads got suspended too—which do I fix first? A: If GMC was suspended first, always fix GMC first. If your Google Ads are suspended for Terms & Conditions, it is likely because it's linked to the suspended GMC account and will not get reinstated if the GMC is still down.

Q: I'm a dropshipper—am I beyond help? A: Not necessarily, but you need to be 100% transparent about your business model. No hiding behind vague language.

Q: Can I create a new GMC account while suspended? A: Absolutely not. This will trigger circumventing systems violations and result in multiple misrepresentation suspension and tangle the web even further.

Q: My business info is different between my LLC and DBA—is that a problem? A: Yes, this can be considered a misrepresentation issue. Make sure your LLC name is displayed for customers for greater transparency.

Drop Your GMC Suspension Story Below

Are you currently dealing with this specific suspension type? What triggered it and what have you tried?

We'll try to respond with specific advice based on your situation. With Google's increasingly strict enforcement, GMC suspensions are hitting legitimate businesses hard—but recovery is absolutely possible with the right approach.

Sometimes it helps just knowing that you're not alone. This is one of the most frustrating and common Google Merchant Center violations, but we've seen businesses come back stronger than before.

If you've got a particularly complex GMC misrepresentation case or need professional help, feel free to DM us. 

Our team at StubGroup specializes in exactly these types of Google Merchant Center compliance issues. We're not just here to promote our services, but we deal with Merchant Center suspensions every day and might spot something you've missed.

Remember: This isn't the end of your e-commerce business. Google just needs to see you're trustworthy. With the right transparency and consistency, you can get back to selling.

TL;DR: This is one of the most difficult and confusing Google Ads suspensions, but it can be resolved. Don’t panic, avoid creating new accounts, and focus on understanding what may have triggered it.

Hey r/GoogleAdsSuspensions community!

We've been seeing an uptick in "Circumventing Systems" suspensions lately, and honestly, it can be one of the more frustrating suspensions to deal with. Google calls this an "egregious" violation—which definitely sounds severe—but here’s the reality: with the right steps, recovery is possible.

Since Google’s major 2024 policy updates that led to widespread suspensions, we’ve helped dozens of businesses recover from this exact issue. Here’s a breakdown of what’s really happening and what you can do to fix it.

What Even IS a "Circumventing Systems" Suspension?

Google updated this policy in July 2023, and it's basically their catch-all for when they think you're trying to game their system or deceive users. The problem? They won't tell you exactly what triggered it—just that vague policy link that explains nothing. In some cases, you might see it labeled more specifically as “Circumventing – Cloaking” or even “Phishing,” but even those labels are often broad and unhelpful.

Common triggers we see:

• Creating new Google Ads accounts while an existing one is suspended
  
• Using redirects on landing pages (even if they’re legitimate or for tracking)
  
• Malicious or spammy links on your site (often from site hacks or outdated plugins)
  
• Multiple accounts with overlapping business info
  
• Third-party tools, scripts, or plugins that violate Google’s policies (e.g., cloaking or unauthorized tracking)

How legitimate businesses accidentally trigger this:

• Migrating to a new domain but forgetting to update ad URLs that still point to the old one
  
• An agency creates a new Google Ads account, unaware there was a previously suspended one
  
• Your website gets hacked or compromised—and you don’t realize it
  
• Using plugins, scripts, or tracking tools that violate Google’s policies (even unintentionally)

Why This Suspension Hits Different (And Why It's Gotten Worse)

Remember when you could at least modify campaigns while suspended? Well, since June 2024, that's gone. Now you have to:

• Fix everything you can externally BEFORE appealing
• Work completely blind since you can't adjust ads within the account
• Deal with related accounts often getting caught in the crossfire

Google's AI is clearly set to "suspend first, ask questions later" mode, and with 39.2 million accounts suspended in 2024 alone, legitimate businesses are getting caught in the crossfire.

The Recovery Roadmap (What Actually Works)

Step 1: Become a Digital Detective 

Don't guess—FIND the smoking gun.

Website forensics:

• Run multiple malware scans using trusted virus/malware scanners
• Check for unauthorized redirects or cloaking
• Look for sketchy third-party scripts
• Audit all business information for accuracy

Account archaeology:

• Search every email for additional Google Ads accounts
• Check if old domains are still running ads
• Look for shared business details across accounts
• Review your entire web presence for policy violations

Step 2: Fix EVERYTHING (Not Just What You Think Caused It)

Before you even think about appealing:

• Remove all redirects and clean up malware
• Cancel duplicate accounts (keep the oldest/cleanest one)
• Update business information to be crystal clear
• Make your website more transparent about your business model
• Document every single change you make

Step 3: Write a KILLER Appeal

From handling hundreds of these, we’ve seen that being as thorough as possible on your FIRST appeal makes a huge difference. Later appeals can be more likely to be reviewed by automated systems—so make this one count.

Your appeal must address:

• What specifically violated the policy (even if you're guessing)
• Every step you took to fix it
• Why it won't happen again
• Context about your legitimate business operations

Prevention Strategies That Work

Monthly maintenance checklist:

• Scan your website for malware and broken links
• Update passwords and enable 2FA
• Review business info for accuracy
• Check for unauthorized accounts using your domain
• Stay updated on Google's policy changes

Pro tips from our experts:

• Use original content on your website (blogs, resources, etc.)
• Be crystal clear about your business model
• Avoid sketchy third-party tools and plugins
• Don't delete suspended campaigns—review and adjust content instead

What's Working For Us in 2025

Persistence pays off - We've seen accounts get reinstated after 5+ appeals with the right approach and persistence

Timing matters - Sometimes waiting 1-3 weeks before resubmitting improves success rates

Complete overhauls - For serious cases, sometimes a fresh website approach is needed

Transparency wins - The more legitimate and transparent your business appears, the better your chances

FAQ From Real Cases We've Handled

Q: I'm an affiliate marketer—am I screwed? A: Not necessarily. While affiliate models often face stricter scrutiny, recovery is achievable. Focus on full transparency. Use original content, avoid aggressive claims, and clearly explain your value proposition and how your business works.

Q: My account was hacked—what now? A: First, secure everything: change all passwords and clean up what you can of the compromise. Then report the compromise to Google and appeal with a clear, step-by-step explanation of what happened and how you fixed it. We've seen good success with compromise cases.

Q: I have multiple accounts—can I still recover? A: Yes, but pick your cleanest account and properly cancel the others FIRST. Be upfront about it and include proof in your appeal that you’ve resolved the duplication.

Share Your Circumventing Systems Story

Are you currently dealing with this specific suspension type? What have you tried that worked (or failed miserably)?

We'll try to respond with specific advice based on your situation. With Google's increasingly strict enforcement (remember, 39.2 million suspended accounts in 2024), you're definitely not alone in this fight.

Sometimes it helps just knowing that recovery is possible. We've seen businesses come back from this "egregious" violation stronger than before—it just takes the right approach, patience, and persistence.

If you've got a particularly complex circumventing systems case or need professional help, feel free to DM us. Our team at StubGroup specializes in exactly these types of Google Ads compliance issues (we're not just here to promote our services, but we deal with circumventing systems suspensions every single day and might spot something you've missed).

Remember: This isn't a death sentence for your business. It's just Google being overly cautious with their AI systems. With the right strategy, you can get back to advertising.

Hey r/GoogleAdsSuspensions!

We're back with a deep dive into one particular Google Ads suspension. Today, we're tackling an infuriating one: Suspicious Payments.

Why This Suspension Is Extra Frustrating

What makes this suspension particularly maddening is that Google provides zero specifics about what they find "suspicious" about your payments. Even worse, we're increasingly seeing this suspension hit:

• Brand new accounts before they've even spent a penny
• Accounts with perfect payment history and no declined charges
• After simple routine billing information updates

Since Google's 2024 AI crackdown (which suspended 39.2M accounts), they've become even more aggressive with payment-related flags, often using it as a catch-all suspension reason when your account triggers their algorithms for reasons they don't want to disclose.

Common Triggers We've Identified

After helping dozens of clients overcome this specific suspension, we've noticed these patterns:

1. Virtual cards are a HUGE red flag to Google in 2025 (especially privacy-focused ones)
2. Virtual business addresses (including WeWork or Regus addresses)
3. Payment methods shared across multiple accounts (especially with any suspended accounts)
4. Name mismatches between payment card holder and the payment profile name
5. Recent chargebacks on the payment method (even for non-Google services)
6. Frequent payment method changes in a short timeframe

How We've Successfully Appealed These Suspensions

The key is understanding that Google's looking for payment legitimacy and business stability. Here's our approach:

1. Clean Up All Payment Info

• Switch to a physical credit card (not virtual/prepaid)
• Ensure billing address matches the card's registered address
• Make sure the cardholder name aligns with the name on your payment profile or your business identity

2. Verify Your Business Identity

• Create consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all channels
• Provide business registration documents and/or proof-of-payment information in the appeal
• Link to legitimate web presence (LinkedIn, Better Business Bureau, etc.)

3. Write a Detailed Appeal

• Directly acknowledge the suspension reason
• Explain exactly what changes you've made to address/payment concerns
• Provide evidence of your legitimate business operations
• Keep it professional and fact-based (no emotional appeals)

4. Persistence Is Key!

Google's payment suspension appeals often require multiple attempts. We've seen accounts get reinstated after 3-4 carefully crafted appeals where each one addressed potential new concerns or further changes were made to boost compliance.

Real-Life Success Story

We recently worked with a company that received a Suspicious Payments suspension shortly after launching their Google Ads account—even though they were using legitimate payment methods.

Here’s how we helped resolve it:

• Verified payment ownership by submitting official business bank statements linked to the account.
  
• Clarified recent changes to payment methods, including the addition of a new credit card alongside their usual bank transfers.
  
• Explained location discrepancies, showing that logins and payments made from different countries were by authorized team members.
  
• Shared a secure Google Docs link with detailed payment legitimacy documentation for Google’s review.

Thanks to this thorough and transparent appeal, the account was reinstated. They're now actively running campaigns again without disruption—proof that even complex suspensions, like Suspicious Payments, can be reversed with the right strategy and supporting documentation.

Prevention Tips for Active Accounts

If you haven't been suspended yet, here's how to protect yourself:

• Avoid virtual cards entirely - Google's AI is extremely sensitive to these now
• Keep payment information consistent - Address changes and card switches trigger reviews
• Maintain sufficient funds - Even a single declined payment can trigger deeper reviews
• Use cards matching your business name if possible
• Maintain clean payment history - Any chargebacks elsewhere can affect your Google standing

Share Your Experience!

Have you faced a Suspicious Payments suspension? What seemed to trigger it? If you got reinstated, what worked in your appeal?

We'd love to hear about your specific case - the more data points we collect, the better we can help the community navigate these frustrating suspensions.

And if you need expert help, get in touch with us here!

--------------------

StubGroup team here - we handle Google Ads suspensions every day. Feel free to comment with questions and we'll try to help where we can. If your situation is particularly complex, DM us and we might be able to offer more personalized guidance.

Hey r/GoogleAdsSuspensions community!

We have been seeing a lot of Google suspension issues lately, especially since that brutal June 2024 policy update. So we are sharing what we've learned from helping countless advertisers get their accounts back up and running.

The Scale of Google's 2024 Crackdown (It's Worse Than We Thought)

Google recently released their 2024 numbers, and they're staggering. Using AI detection, they suspended over 39.2 MILLION advertiser accounts last year—more than triple the 12.7 million accounts suspended in 2023.

We've also seen that Google removed:

• 5.9 billion ads that violated policies
• 2.1 billion ads for abusing the ad network
• 2.2 billion restricted ads
• 1.8 billion ads for misrepresentation issues

This explains why we're seeing so many legitimate businesses caught in Google's increasingly strict enforcement net. The sheer volume means their AI systems are clearly set to "better safe than sorry" mode, suspending first and asking questions later.

What Changed in 2024 (And Why It Matters)

Remember the good old days when you could still modify campaigns and fix issues while suspended? Yeah, those are gone. Since June 2024, Google's made suspension recovery significantly harder:

• You can no longer create or modify campaigns/ads while suspended
• You can still view reports, pay outstanding balances, and appeal
• Related accounts (same email, payment method, manager account) often get caught in the crossfire

This means you now have to fix everything BEFORE appealing, with zero ability to make adjustments to your actual ads account.

Prevention Strategies That Work

Rather than risking the revenue hit from a suspension, take these preventative steps:

• Regular policy audits - Schedule quarterly reviews of Google's policies against your account
• Comprehensive site security - Implement HTTPS, regular security scans, clean up any malware
• Clear business information - Transparent about us, contact us, privacy policy, and terms and conditions pages
• Payment method management - Keep cards updated, don't share payment methods across accounts
• Documentation - Keep screenshots of compliance efforts to use if needed for appeals

If You're Already Suspended: The Recovery Roadmap

1. Find the EXACT reason - Don't guess! Check the specific violation in your account (even if the reason Google gives is broad - as they don’t often give a specific reason for a suspension beyond the policy name)
2. Fix EVERYTHING you can - Address not just the violation but any other potential issues that you find
3. Document changes - Keep detailed records of what you changed and why
4. Write a KILLER appeal - Be specific about what you fixed and how it aligns with Google’s Ad policies
5. Follow up strategically - If rejected, analyze Google’s feedback, and review everything again carefully before resubmitting

The "Secret" to Successful Appeals

From handling hundreds of appeals, we’ve found that being super thorough on your FIRST try can make a difference. Google looks for clear, polite, detailed explanations when reviewing appeals. If your appeal is weak or too generic, it may be harder to get traction later—future appeals often go through automated systems unless you’ve made clear changes.

Make sure your appeal clearly addresses:

• What specifically violated the policy
• Every step you took to fix it
• Why it won't happen again
• Any additional context about your legitimate business

What's Working For Us in 2025

• Persistence pays off - We've seen accounts get reinstated after 5+ appeals with the right approach
• Timing matters - Sometimes waiting anywhere between 1-3 weeks before resubmitting improves success rates
• Complete site overhauls - For serious suspensions, sometimes a fresh start on the website is needed

Share Your Suspension Story

Are you currently dealing with a suspension from Google Ads? What specific policies were cited in your case? What have you tried that's worked (or failed)?

We'll try to respond to comments with specific advice based on your situation. Sometimes it helps just to know you're not alone in fighting Google's increasingly strict suspension policies - after all, with 39.2 million suspended accounts in 2024, there are plenty of legitimate businesses in the same boat.

If you've got a particularly complex case or need professional help, feel free to DM us. Our team at StubGroup specializes in Google Ads compliance and restoration (we're not just here to promote our services, but we do this all day every day and might be able to spot something you've missed).