Google is out of control

[ecommerceprofit]

I am a 25 year ecommerce veteran who has seen it all. I am starting a new business in an industry that is new to me. Just about a month ago I signed up to advertise on Google. They immediately suspended me for misrepresentation (no money spent) and I fixed some stuff and then they waited over their promised 7 days to look at what was wrong. They finally responded in about 2 weeks with some clear directions (which is rare from what I have been reading). Nothing was wrong...I had already complied so nothing needed to be fixed. I told them and they gave me a canned response not responding to what I clearly stated. Now I am waiting another 7 days which will most likely go past this time. Trying to chat or mail them is useless since the reps are like robots. Does not seem like they can think for themselves...they really should be turned into chat bots to save money.

TINA. There is no alternative to Google. There is Amazon but they are risky because you can be banned for stupid reasons...I refuse to build a business on quicksand. When looking at Similarweb all of my competitors get about 80% of their traffic from Google. How stupid is it for Google to not want my money? Other places like Facebook, Pinterest, Bing have no problem taking my cash. This company is so full of themselves.

There are people literally crying because Google won't tell them what is wrong and they have families to feed. Look it up...most of the time Google refuses to tell a merchant what specifically is wrong...you have to diagnose your problem hit and miss which is incredibly frustrating and non-productive. I am so happy that this business is just to make extra money and do something I enjoy. In my last business I dealt with zombies in organic and paid results. Luckily they finally went away but during this time my life was super stressful. What would happen if my account was approved then I built my business on Google ads and then they turned me off for 1 month? That would be devastating.

This should be regulated and I have been tempted many times to fight this publicly. However, I just want to be left alone and enjoy my life rather than fighting. I like being creative and building businesses but Google often takes the fun out of life. Fingers crossed that eventually Google and Amazon will be regulated around the World. Their opaque box needs to be pried open for the World to see.

I don't need advice on how to get approved. I have read everything out there...just venting lol

[phranque]

...most of the time Google refuses to tell a merchant what specifically is wrong...

it would be great for "testing the algorithm" if they did...

[buckworks]

>> built my business on Google ads

Use Google ads to get started but don't let that be the only tool in your promotional toolbox.

A sustainable business needs to gain exposure and cultivate traffic from a variety of sources.

[Kendo]

A sustainable business needs to gain exposure and cultivate traffic from a variety of sources.

I am interested in hiring or even partnering some one who really does know how to do this.

[ecommerceprofit]

I agree. I always go by that motto try not to depend on Google. Unfortunately, if you want to sell online you kind of have to depend on them...80% of traffic is a big number.

[ecommerceprofit]

...most of the time Google refuses to tell a merchant what specifically is wrong...

it would be great for "testing the algorithm" if they did...

There are literally 30 plus variables for a merchant to fix and if you combine the variables together what is it... 900 plus outcomes? For someone to sort of hack the Google advertising engine that would be quite demanding. Just tell the merchant what is wrong and the merchant fixes the problem. Google makes money and the merchant gets to make a better life for themselves. I sat on your response for several days because it was a bit vague. Perhaps I did not understand your response?

[Essex_boy]

My last ecom site was back in 2005, Google managed to wreck that and previous one with child like updates, then came the price increases in ad prices.....

[ecommerceprofit]

I hope you found success in your ventures since 2005? I just did a little reading. Blockchain search engines may be the future. Perhaps in 5 - 10 years they will cause Google pain. Visited one called presearch - there are a bunch of these companies. Distributed each node paid tokens to provide service etc. Google is way nuts so time will chip away at their monopoly and then they will finally be forced to play nice. Won't help me since I am at the point in my life where I need to see the World before it's too late. Karma coming for Google the entity; although, the people presently running the company don't care since they are all rich anyway haha

[bwnbwn]

I don't know what you sell if it is a product 100 other websites sell your in for a rough road.
But if it's a unique item very few sellers you can't beat Amazon.
I quit Google years ago removed any trace off our websites and do very well WITHOUT Google.

[tangor]

I stopped playing g around 2000-2002, and never looked back. :)

My clients, on the other hand, alternate between desperate or uncaring. Chasing g can be kind of expensive over the long run, so I don't make as much money from the uncaring side.

[ecommerceprofit]

Unfortunately, Google is approx 80% of advertising / organic. Would need to look up the exact number. Almost impossible to live without them. Good to see the both of you happy! My goal is to do the same but they still are needed for the moment.

[tangor]

but they still are needed for the moment.

Which is why the core conversations at WW revolve around g! :)

[martinibuster]

Google is approx 80% of advertising / organic. Would need to look up the exact number. Almost impossible to live without them.

You're missing two key points and missing an opportunity. People go to Google to search for a lot of things. Shopping queries are just a fraction of search volume.

Amazon is a Shopping Search Engine. It's not a store. It's a search engine for products. If you know anything about conversions then you know that intent is everything.

When someone searches for products on Amazon the intent is going to be in the merchant's favor.

Go to Google Trends and compare the following keywords:

• Amazon.com vs Where to Buy
  
• Amazon vs Where to Buy
  
• Amazon.com vs eBay.com
  
• Amazon vs eBay
  
• Amazon.com vs. Facebook.com
  
• Amazon vs. Facebook
  
• Amazon.com vs Twitter.com
  
• Amazon vs Twitter
  
• Amazon.com vs Apple.com
  
• Amazon vs Apple

Traffic to Amazon is huge. Amazon traffic is valuable because Amazon is a Shopping Search Engine.

Google is not a shopping search engine.

That is why another member posted:

...you can't beat Amazon.

[ecommerceprofit]

Yes, Amazon is another alternative but a bit different than Google. I made about 75% of my revenue on Amazon for several years but their customers are unique and super price sensitive. Unfortunately, Amazon has the ability to see what works and what does not work when selling on their platform. I am not accusing Amazon of doing this but they have the ability of seeing competitve information and then duplicating my efforts. I am looking forward to what the new FTC Chair Lina Khan is doing to possibly regulate these companies.

All this being said, Amazon, Facebook and Google make up most of digital advertising. None of these companies should be able to give obscure reasons why a company has been suspended from advertising. They need to be regulated to give clean and consise reasons so that honest advertisers who follow the rules do not get blindsided. I have been blocked for 2 months from even starting to spend one penny on their platform. They should not be allowed to block anyone unless they are doing something criminal. What I mean by blocked is not telling me specifically what is wrong rather than giving me a super generic answer and then making me wait 2 weeks before they can review me again to see if I qualify to use their ad system. I am only trying to sell a normal non controversial product.

There is a case in France that Google lost on appeal on 4-8-22 for 150 million as a result of the French Competition Authority. This case is amazing because it is super related to my problem where they blocked the company from advertising.

Why Google is so snooty is beyond me. I just want to give them my money. I just want to build my business and follow their rules. Total and complete arrogance on their part.

[engine]

What I mean by blocked is not telling me specifically what is wrong rather than giving me a super generic answer and then making me wait 2 weeks before they can review me again to see if I qualify to use their ad system.

I think that just about everyone would agree with that. Once they cut off the advertiser or publisher in AdSense, you're cut adrift. It is a challenge when there are massive numbers of advertisers, but, equally so, the company is making huge profits, and really should rely less on systems, and involve humans.

Google is not a shopping search engine.

Not really, at the moment, but that is changing as it tries to be everything to everyone.

Many years ago Eric Schmidt said that Amazon was Google's competition. [webmasterworld.com]

And in recent times, Google has indicated Shopping is one of its objectives. There's no doubt that it wants a slice of the shopping market.

[ecommerceprofit]

Yes, involving humans is key. My problem could easily be solved. Even if they charged $100, I would not find this unreasonable. They really are losing money by making this process burdensome. Alphabet is insanely successful so they are ignoring small fish like me but overtime this sort of thing snowballs and destroys previously successful companies.

[Essex_boy]

not accusing Amazon of doing this - I seem to think this came up in a court case, judge agreed that they were doing it. Cant recall what the verdict was.

[nickZ]

At least in Europe there are severall sales plattforms such as Kaufland, In trhe US, I guess there are also some places which channel most buyers towards their e-shop destinations.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

People with a hobby who enjoy discussing the hobby with others don't do it on Google, they join forums like this one or messaging groups, or even Twitter.

It is still possible to create a successful business without Google, you just need to go where the enthusiasts hang out and engage them there in a manner they appreciate. If you only advertise through Google you may need to sponsor or advertise directly to be welcomed near your potential customers.

Google announced they are closing Google hangouts and suggested they will throw forums a bone in search. Hopefully your business is ready to find your new customers somewhere other than search.

Edit: Even Google is moving their focus away from search for ad revenue because it's saturated. Youtube revenue is increasing faster and so the focus has moved there. Source: Statements in their quarterly earnings report.

[nickZ]

Statements in their quarterly earnings report.

Adwords takes a larger slice from Youtube in 2022, which will show an increase in their quarterly earnings report.

[ecommerceprofit]

Searching for "Google Ads suspended me and turned a deaf ear" on Google lol clicking the ycombinator link has a wonderful discussion that goes on and on and on...tons of people with my problem.

I was creating a site about Google and their ad zombie crud after Google suspended my account for a new business even before I spent a dime. The site would mention zombies and their recent ad bans without explanation. I was angry (I spent 6 months getting the business up and running only to be shutdown by Google) and even more determined to take Google on at the grassroots level. I'm now old and have a ton of time on my hands. I even started the website and had the content up for 2 days. I took it down after I came up with my new rough idea.

Then I came up with a whole new business idea that does not depend on Google. In fact, the ban on my never used ad account inspired me to start this new idea...thank you Google! So I put my protest in the drawer. My new idea will use ads...just not shopping ads so hopefully things will go better. If Google does not allow me to advertise, you will hear me complaining, but at least the damage will be much smaller.

[ecommerceprofit]

Essex_boy. I am trying to find what you mentioned. Could you give me more information? I found an article from 3-3-21 titled "Amazon Merchant Kicked Off Website Spent $200,000 to Get Justice" which is quite interesting.

Unrelated to what Essex_boy said, if anyone is interested in this report from the house judiciary committee on 7-19-22 "Judiciary Committee Publishes Final Report on Competition in the Digital Marketplace" can read it by searching on Google. Good to see some interest in regulation. I am impressed with Lina Khan (Chair of the FTC) and what she is doing to hold companies accountable. Maybe eventually she will go after Google's power. She stated this may happen. Love my hopium!

[ecommerceprofit]

Oh BTW, there will be the tired old response from Google defenders that say, "the algorithm must be protected from hacking / manipulating" Also, they will say, "Google cannot afford to manually check every account"

No problem, first a merchant pays say $100 for a manual check when automatic does not work. The merchant fills out a form making their case and the manual review person looks at the account carefully. Someone higher up that works directly at Google headquarters. Someone who is trained to actually be an advocate for the merchant. This person could call the merchant and ask a bunch of questions with the "golden question" hidden among fake questions. So say five questions...one is the real question that Google is worried about and four that confuse the potential manipulator.

I just came up with this five question potential solution as I was writing this...if a smart creative thinker was put into this position I'm sure with one month of thinking could solve this EASY problem. Better Google reputation...more revenue, etc. In my case, questions might have solved my problem...I think Google was worried about my company name compared to someone else's non trademarked name in a different industry. Questions might not be enough for other companies. If I wanted to come up with a solution, I'm positive I could but I don't own Google.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

I am starting a new business in an industry that is new to me

Just a thought. Is your website new too? If it is, working on E.A.T. a little(gaining it AND displaying it) may help Google better trust your site.

I'm not and expert on advertising but E.A.T. has only become more important over time.

(not my site, she's a rising star on the subject) [mariehaynes.com...]

[nickZ]

EAT is just another word for pagerank, not valid anymore.
In society that kind of renaming is common, we see that in politics. I doubt any of the bigshots have an idea how that mostrum works exactly. Al around the community the Google interpretations are hot. Rising stars and such.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

NickZ, according to the latest Google rater handbook it is a reason many good pages only get medium or lower ratings. Almost every example they give says to rate lower if there is not enough EAT, even on meme sites where you'd think it wasn't needed.

[ecommerceprofit]

tictoc

ChatGPT

neeva

etc etc

Love it! Competition is GOOD! Only a matter of time...

[nickZ]

according to the latest Google rater handbook it is a reason many good pages only get medium or lower ratings.

Imagine a million people using those suggestons, thus no one will get an extra push thru EAT. Remember there are only 10 spots om a SERP.

Many sites have a Organistaion behind it, a more professionell approach which makes a difference.
Google say a lot and keeps about 50% more ore less.

[ecommerceprofit]

In this thread I mention that Google should charge merchants who want help from their ad reps. I suppose their new service in beta could solve this communication problem. Unfortunately, my guess is Google is just pushing garbage rather than giving legitimate merchants a fair shake for a price. We shall see.