What exactly does Google's GMC review process review?

I. Core Pillar: Alignment of Website Policies at the "Granularity"

The first step in GMC's review isn't whether your product is good or not, but whether your policies are genuine. Google's web crawler will compare the numbers you enter in the backend with the text on the frontend page like a microscope.

1. Shipping Policy

Many sellers stumble on shipping costs because they overlook dynamic consistency .

• Time-bound closed loop:  Your "total delivery time" must equal "processing time" + "shipping time". If the GMC backend enters 1-3 days for processing, but the webpage states 5 days for shipping, this minor discrepancy will be judged as misleading consumers.

• Transparent Pricing:  Especially for the "free shipping on orders over a certain amount" policy, GMC requires that the price must cover 100% of the cost. Even if additional shipping fees apply to remote areas, these must be accurately reflected in the shipping details; a difference of even one cent will violate compliance regulations.

2. Return & Refund Policy

This is a key metric Google uses to measure merchant reliability.

• Contextualized transparency:  It is essential to clearly define the attribution of responsibility in two scenarios: "customer regret" and "product defective".

• Time Limit Requirements:  Google prefers a return period of 30 days or more. The return method (e.g., mail), how to obtain the return receipt, and whether a restocking fee is charged must be clearly stated. Expert Advice:  Ideally, set the return period to "no restocking fee," as this significantly improves compliance.

II. Trust Anchor: The "Traceability" of Store Information

Google reviewers (including human reviewers) will verify whether you are a "real business" based on the following three dimensions:

1. Business Address

• Authenticity Verification:  The address you enter must be a real business address. Google sometimes verifies this through Google Maps or even street views. If you use a fake US address or a generic overseas warehouse address, you are very likely to have your account suspended.

• Formatting standards:  The address must be logically linked to the business license and clearly visible in the footer and the Contact Us page.

2. Real-time communication (Phone & Email)

• Effective dialing:  The phone call must be able to connect. It is recommended to use a corporate domain email address (e.g. , a business domain) rather than free options like Gmail or Outlook. This is not only a compliance requirement but also a standard practice for professional overseas expansion.  [email protected]

III. Foundation of Identity: The Strong Link Between GMC and Google Ads

Many sellers overlook the consistency of identity between their GMC and Ads accounts .

• Entity misalignment:  If your Google Ads account is registered under Company A, but the website registration or policy entity associated with GMC is Company B, this "identity misalignment" will trigger a serious system warning.

• Payment consistency:  The credit card holders, account registrants, and the operating entities behind the websites should ideally maintain a high degree of consistency. In Google's AI anti-fraud model, cross-entity association is the highest level of risk signal.

IV. Core Secret: The Ultimate "Hidden Point" to Bypass Account Bans

If the above three points are the official "open secrets," then the last key point of review is the crucial distinction between ordinary sellers and top operators.

In practice, many sellers still fail to pass the review even if they comply with policies and ensure their addresses are accurate. This is because Google also deeply crawls the website's technical trust score and historical correlation .

• From a technical perspective:  Is your SSL certificate valid? Does the payment gateway icon match the actual settlement logic?

• Behavioral aspect:  Does your domain have a history of violations?

The core review logic—the details of determining the "authenticity of the business model," and how to avoid Google's crawler's misjudgments through specific code layouts—have been summarized into an internal advanced solution.

 Note:  Due to the involvement of industry-sensitive algorithms and tips on avoiding pitfalls in the practical operations, in order to protect the rights and interests of core members, "the last and most important insider information on the review process" has been included in a VIP special article on this site.

V. Conclusion: Compliance is an asset

In an era of fierce competition for existing market share, GMC is no longer just a tool, but a passport to the global market. While the compliance process may be painful, it essentially helps you weed out the bad actors and build your own brand moat.

Want to get the complete GMC self-checklist or view the ultimate audit secrets? Become a VIP on this site to unlock hidden practical tips for going global.