Why Was My Ad Flagged for Counterfeit Goods?
This policy can flag a legitimate retailer, not just sellers of fakes, if a product photo or listing looks close enough to a trademarked design.
What it means
Google prohibits selling or promoting counterfeit goods — items carrying a trademark or logo that's identical to, or substantially indistinguishable from, another brand's trademark. This is checked against both the ad itself and the destination website or app, and it's a different, more serious category than an ordinary trademark-in-ad-text complaint (which only applies once the trademark owner files one).
Why it matters
A legitimate boutique, reseller, or retailer can get caught by this even without any intent to sell fakes — a product photo, a generic-brand item that resembles a known logo, or an unlicensed use of a recognizable design can be enough to trigger it. It's worth reviewing the specific product or image cited rather than assuming the flag is a mistake.
ask datanephew
My store doesn't sell fakes — why did I get a counterfeit goods flag?
Ask datanephew to pull the exact product or asset cited in the disapproval. It's usually one specific image, listing, or design element that resembles a trademarked look, not a judgment about your whole store.