TTC has handled Google Shopping Ads for medical businesses across the globe, facing account suspension challenges. Many of them were unaware of the approval or supply certification. This is very much mandatory to get pre-authorized to run shopping ads in the particular country.
So, how have we overcome these challenges in Google Shopping Ads for medical businesses in the UK? We thoroughly reviewed their product line first to find whether there are any restricted products.
Then we have audited each product and service listed on the landing page. We have checked the healthcare and medicine policy for each. We keep checking to fix the merchant center and site issues.
In this discussion, we will elaborate on our process. How we help our clients overcome Google Merchant Center policy violations.
Key Takeaways
- Google Shopping Ads for medical businesses require more than a great product feed. You also need to meet Google’s healthcare policies, certifications, and Merchant Center requirements.
- Many account suspensions and product disapprovals can be fixed. A detailed review of your website, product pages, and compliance documents often reveals the real issue.
- Regular monitoring is the core requirements for long-term success. Keeping your Merchant Center, website, and product listings compliant helps your Shopping Ads run smoothly and reach the right customers.
Google Shopping Ads for Medical Businesses UK: Challenges and Fix
Restriction Policy and Certification
Let’s take an example of one of our projects. We were handling Google Shopping ads for a medical business in the UK. Our client was having Google Shopping product disapproval.
As that healthcare eCommerce UK retailer was targeting the UK only, we started with the landing page first.
Only HIV home testing and GPhC-registered over-the-counter drug shopping was allowed in the UK. Our clients were complying with that policy. Still, they had the problem of disapproval from the Google Merchant Center.
The Fix? We have found that our client’s over-the-counter drug was not certified by Google. That’s why the problem was happening. We applied for two certificates; one is for LegitScript. We have also filed an online pharmacy application form.
Read our blog on how we have overcome Google ad challenges for a psychotherapy clinic.
Account Suspension
Ad account suspension is another common challenge. One of our clients in Canada has come to us with this issue. Our client was confused about the reason. He did not find any major issues on the pen and paper.
There was neither any inaccurate data nor a false claim. Our client also submitted the policy documentation as per the Google ad health care policy.
As there was no policy violation, we suspected a technical error. When we thoroughly checked the site, we found there was a problem with functionality.
The Fix? We replaced the placeholder text. We have audited the broken link, site functionality, and website security. We have troubleshot several performance issues,
Other Things We Take Care Of:
While running Google Shopping ads for healthcare or medical products, we keep in mind the following:
- Align with certifications and policy requirements. Like LegitScript and Google certification
- Authorization from the local regulatory body
- Make sure there is no false claim in the ad copy
- Maintain as much transparency as possible
- Keep monitoring the website to maintain smoother performance. So the users can access the checkout process easily.
The Outcome
We helped our clients move closer to policy compliance. As a result, their product approvals improved. We made their ad account health more stable. They were able to continue running Google Shopping campaigns with fewer policy-related interruptions.
The Result:
- Google Shopping impression increased by 52%
- Product approval rate increased from 68% to 90%
- Click-through rate (CTR) improved from 1.8% to 2.7%.
Key Takeaway
Our biggest takeaway is simple.For medical businesses, success with Google Shopping Ads isn’t just about creating campaigns. It’s about staying compliant with Google’s healthcare advertising policies. One will have to monitor the Merchant Center regularly and continuously, and optimizing to improve ad quality is also important.
If you have difficulty with managing Google Ads or need any kind of support, please feel free to reach out. You can also book a free consultation with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Google Merchant Center account was suspended. Should I create a new account?
No. Creating a new Merchant Center account rarely solves the problem and can sometimes make recovery more difficult. The better approach is to identify the main cause of the suspension, fix every policy or technical issue, and then submit a review request. Before requesting a review, we recommend checking your website security, checkout process, product information, business policies, and Merchant Center diagnostics to make sure everything meets Google's requirements.
What should I check before launching Google Shopping Ads for a healthcare business in the UK?
Before launching your campaign, make sure your products are eligible under Google's Healthcare and Medicines policy. Verify whether your products require additional certifications or approvals, review every product landing page for compliance, and ensure your Merchant Center feed matches your website exactly. It's also important to have clear shipping, returns, privacy, and contact information on your website. Taking these steps before launching can help reduce policy issues and improve your chances of getting products approved.