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Guides · Google Merchant Center

Merchant Center: 'missing return policy' and what a policy must say

Google requires an accessible return policy and compares the policy page with the return settings in Merchant Center. A page that only says 'contact us for returns' does not count. The policy must state the window, the conditions and the process.

What usually causes it

How to fix it

  1. Write the policy with: return window in days, item condition, who pays return shipping, refund method and timing, how to start a return, exceptions.
  2. Link it in the footer.
  3. Set the same values in Merchant Center under Shipping and returns.
Takes about 30 seconds. We read the public pages any reviewer reads: home, contact, about, policies and a sample of products.

The checks that detect it

CheckRule
Refund policy states a window, conditions and a process
The refund or return policy exists and says how many days a customer has, what condition items must be in, and how to start a return.
Merchant Center: Set up your return policies for Shopping ads and free listings (read 2026-10-06)
Privacy policy and terms of service published
Both pages exist and are reachable.
Shopping ads policies: Editorial and professional requirements (read 2026-10-06)
No template leftovers
No placeholder text such as 'Your Store Name', '123 Main Street', 'lorem ipsum' or unedited policy templates.
Shopping ads policies: Misrepresentation (Unacceptable business practices) (read 2026-10-06)

Not legal advice. Policies change; each rule above names the page it restates and when it was read.