How to Fix "Untrustworthy Promotions" Disapproval
Fix the "Untrustworthy promotions" disapproval on Shopify by auditing promo codes, fixing pricing claims, and removing expired or inaccurate offers.
What this means
Untrustworthy promotions covers deceptive marketing claims: promo codes that no longer work, "up to X% off" claims where X is true for almost no products, BOGO offers with hidden conditions, and expired or invalid promotions still appearing in your feed or storefront.
How to fix it
- 1
Audit every active promo code
Try each promo code in incognito at checkout. Codes that no longer work must be removed from feed promotional metafields, banner copy, and ad assets.
- 2
Use exact percentages instead of vague ranges
"Up to 50% off" must be true for a meaningful share of the catalog. Either match the claim or rewrite to specific percentages: "30% off most items, 50% off select clearance."
- 3
Remove expired promotions across all surfaces
Audit homepage banners, theme code, app-injected popups, the Google channel app's promotional fields, and Google Ads assets. Old codes hide everywhere.
- 4
Make eligibility transparent
If a promo applies only to loyalty members or new customers, disclose the eligibility in the banner. Promotions presented as universal but gated to a subset trigger the policy.
- 5
Verify after 7 days for recrawl, then appeal
Google's crawler needs to re-index your store. Wait 7 days, then submit an appeal documenting the specific promo codes removed and pages updated.
Related fixes
Related reading
FAQ
What does Google mean by untrustworthy promotions?+
Promotions Google considers deceptive — hidden eligibility rules, expired codes still in feeds, pricing mismatches, vague discount claims, or out-of-stock products in active offers.
Can I run flash sales?+
Yes if the timing is honest and the discount is real. A "24-hour flash sale" running for three weeks fails the policy.
Are countdown timers allowed?+
Real timers tied to genuine end dates: yes. Timers that reset every visit ("Sale ends in 4:59:32!"): no — the urgency is fabricated.
What about "members-only" pricing?+
Allowed if the eligibility is transparent. Banner copy must disclose: "20% off site-wide for loyalty members." Universal-looking promos with hidden gating fail.
How do I find leftover promo references?+
Audit theme code (header.liquid, cart.liquid), installed apps (popup, urgency-bar, abandoned-cart), the Google channel promotional fields, and your Google Ads assets.
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