Dropshipping is an appealing ecommerce model for many new entrepreneurs: the barriers to entry are low, and you can focus on marketing without handling inventory or fulfillment. However, when it comes to Google Shopping Ads, dropshipping merchants often face unique hurdles. This article highlights the most common pitfalls, explains why they occur, and offers actionable advice to improve your chances of success.
1. High Suspension Rates due to Google's Misrepresentation Policy
Why It Happens
Google’s policies prioritize user experience, ensuring that shoppers encounter trustworthy, transparent websites. Dropshipping stores are frequently flagged for issues such as:
Incomplete or unclear policies: Missing or hidden shipping and returns information.
Placeholder or low-quality images: Using generic photos or images that do not accurately represent the product.
Broken links or missing information: Non-functional social media icons, contact forms that go nowhere, or absent “About Us” pages.
Long shipping times: Orders taking multiple weeks to arrive without clearly communicating these delays.
How to Avoid It
Policy Pages: Clearly display shipping, refund, and return policies. Use plain language and make them easy to find.
High-Quality Product Images: Invest in or request better images from suppliers. Remove any placeholder graphics or watermarked photos.
Functional Website: Double-check all links and contact forms. If you feature social media icons, ensure they link to active profiles.
Transparent Timelines: If products take longer than a week to ship, be clear about it.
Remember: We don’t control Google’s review process. Even if you follow best practices, Google ultimately decides whether your site meets their standards. You can review the Google misrepresentation policy here.
2. Product Disapprovals and Listing Problems
Why It Happens
Google’s automated systems are designed to flag products that violate advertising policies or contain insufficient data. Dropshippers often get caught out by:
Restricted terms: Using words like “gun,” “weapon,” or other flagged keywords can lead to instant disapproval (even if the product is just a toy).
Mismatched or poor images: Low-resolution images or pictures that don’t match the product description.
Missing product attributes: Google Shopping ad returns improve with better quality data, such as GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers), brand information, and other attributes to properly list your products.
How to Avoid It
Keyword Check: Audit your product titles and descriptions for restricted or misleading terms.
Adhere to Google’s Data Specs: Familiarize yourself with Google’s Merchant Center guidelines to see what attributes are mandatory.
Keep Listings Consistent: Ensure images, titles, descriptions, and attributes match precisely.
3. Tough Competition from Larger Marketplaces
Why It Matters
Online behemoths like Shein, Temu, and Amazon can undercut prices, offer faster shipping, and provide stronger brand trust. Your product might be the same or very similar, leaving fewer reasons for consumers to choose your store.
How to Stand Out
Niche Down: Focus on specialized or less saturated categories. Generic products are a race to the bottom, the winner typically being a larger marketplace.
Unique Value Proposition: Offer in-depth product guides, stellar customer support, or additional services (e.g., gift wrapping, extended warranty). Finding a USP can be hard if you're just shipping generic items and offer no additional value.
Transparent Shipping & Pricing: If you can’t beat larger retailers on price, highlight any advantages—like better product quality, detailed product pages, or fast, responsive customer service.
4. Limited Product Ranges
Why It Matters
Many dropshipping stores begin with fewer than 20 products. The odds of finding a “winning product” that delivers consistent sales shrink as your catalogue diminishes.
How to Maximize Potential
Product Research: Look for emerging trends and items that genuinely solve a problem or fill a niche.
Rotate Inventory: Be prepared to test, remove, and replace products quickly if they underperform.
Expand Over Time: Once you find a profitable niche, gradually add more products in that category to diversify your revenue.
5. Longer Onboarding and Review Times
Why It Happens
Dropshipping is widely seen as a high-risk model. Google tends to scrutinize these stores more thoroughly to guard against scams, counterfeit products, and misleading practices.
What to Expect
Extended Review Windows: Approval for ads and products may take longer than usual.
Potential for Multiple Suspensions: Even if you address one issue, Google might find others in subsequent reviews.
Preparation Tips
Check Compliance First: Don’t rush to install Order Legend until your store is ready. Use a thorough suspension checklist to spot potential pitfalls proactively. If you choose to install Order Legend, set your commission cap and your store is atleast 30 days old, we will automatically begin the onboarding process with Google.
Use the Waiting Period Wisely: Refine product pages, test site functionality, and gather better images or supplier information before reapplying. If you get suspended, drop a note to our team and we will submit review requests to Google on your behalf.
6. Accurate Stock Tracking for Dropshippers
Why It Matters
In a dropshipping model, you typically rely on suppliers to hold and manage inventory. However, Google still needs accurate stock information to decide whether your ads should run. If Shopify is set not to track inventory—or if a product is flagged as “out of stock”—Google sees that item as unavailable. Consequently, Order Legend’s system will pause ads for any product that appears to have zero or no stock, leading to limited or no traffic or sales from our app as we can't run effective ads campaigns.
Common Challenges for Dropshippers
Disabled Inventory Tracking: Since you don’t physically store products, it’s easy to ignore stock tracking. But if Shopify shows “out of stock,” ads are automatically halted, regardless of your supplier’s actual inventory.
Supplier Discrepancies: Even if your supplier has plenty of inventory, your Shopify store may show zero if there’s no active connection or manual update to reflect real-time stock.
Partial Tracking: Some products may be tracked while others aren’t, resulting in only select listings being eligible for ads.
Best Practices
Enable Inventory Tracking: Make sure every product you plan for us to advertise is set to track stock in Shopify.
Sync with Suppliers: Use dropshipping apps or integrations that automatically update stock levels based on your suppliers’ real-time inventory.
Regular Inventory Audits: Routinely confirm that your Shopify product listings match what your suppliers have in stock; mismatches can lead to missed ad opportunities.
Transparent Product Status: If a supplier runs low or goes out of stock, update your store immediately to avoid running ads that Google will flag as misleading.
Key Takeaway: Even without physically holding inventory, accurate stock data is essential for running effective Google Shopping Ads. Any product showing as “out of stock” in Shopify won’t be advertised—so ensure your settings and supplier integrations reflect the reality of available inventory.
Order Legend’s Approach and Disclaimer
At Order Legend, we understand the allure of dropshipping but also see the difficulties first-hand. Many merchants come to us hoping to fund Google Shopping Ads for new or generic dropshipping stores. Because we invest our own capital upfront, we must be cautious in our selection process. Google’s approval rates for dropshipping sites are notably lower compared to traditional or branded stores, and even if your store gets approved, competing against industry giants can be daunting.
We Do Not Control Google Reviews: Ultimately, Google has the final say. We provide resources (like our Google Merchant Centre Suspension Checklist) to help you optimize your store, but approval by Google is not guaranteed.
We Absorb the Advertising Risk: If your store does run ads through Order Legend, rest assured that any losses are ours to bear. We will never pass those costs on to you.
Success Is Not Guaranteed: A minority of dropshipping stores do find a profitable niche. However, many face challenges due to oversaturated products, low trust, and competitive pricing.
Final Thoughts
Dropshipping can be lucrative for those who plan diligently, prioritize user experience, and invest in high-quality product offerings. Yet it’s essential to walk into Google Shopping Ads with your eyes open. There is no "get rich quick" scheme with dropshipping + Order Legend. From stricter review processes and higher suspension rates to fierce competition from established brands, dropshipping merchants often face an uphill battle.
By understanding and addressing these pitfalls proactively, you stand a much better chance of building a credible online store that attracts (and keeps) loyal customers.
Download our detailed checklist, refine your site, and be prepared to adapt. If you have questions, our support team is here to help—but remember, success ultimately depends on many variables including the quality of your store, the products you offer, demand, pricing, competition, user experience and brand trust. For Order Legend and Google ads it is critical that you meet Google’s strict standards.
Need More Guidance?
Check Out the Free PDF: Google Merchant Centre Suspension Checklist
Reach Out: Our support team is here to address specific concerns and guide you on best practices.
Good luck with your dropshipping journey, and remember: thorough preparation and ongoing optimization are the keys to any successful Google Shopping campaign!