title policy Fix “Promotional text in title” on Google Merchant Center
The title contains promotional language ('SALE', 'FREE SHIPPING', '50% OFF', 'CHEAP', etc.). Google's title policy bans this — promotional claims belong in the sale_price field or ad-level extensions, not the product title.
What you see in Google Merchant Center:
Promotional text in title
API identifier: title_with_promotional_text
Title editorial policy bans promotional language: SALE, FREE, %, OFF, BEST, GUARANTEED, #1. The classifier catches these mechanically — even subtle uses ("Special edition", "New 2026 model") sometimes trigger when context reads promotional.
The strategic shift: promotional information moves out of title and into structured fields (sale_price, sale_price_effective_date, promotion_id). Channels render the promotional signal as visible badges and strikethrough pricing in placements; you don't need to encode it in the title.
For titles already loaded with promotional language across thousands of SKUs, automation does this at scale. The Optimiser rewrites titles to remove promotional language while preserving brand and product information.
Top causes
- 1
Titles directly copied from Shopify/WooCommerce where they include in-store promo language
- 2
Marketing teams adding promotional language to titles for visibility
- 3
Pre-existing titles from before the policy tightened
How to fix it
- 1
Audit titles for promotional language
Common offenders: 'SALE', 'FREE', '%', 'OFF', 'CHEAP', 'BEST', '#1', 'GUARANTEED', 'NEW' (when it's promotional, not a model attribute).
- 2
Rewrite to focus on attributes
Brand, type, key feature, size, colour. Move promotional information to sale_price (for discounts) or description (for genuine product features).
- 3
Re-export and refresh
Force-fetch. Items clear within 15-30 minutes.
Related issues
Restricted keyword
TikTok's title policy bans specific keywords and patterns — promotional language, prohibited categories, sensitive terms. Items with restricted keywords in the title are rejected outright.
Read moreMissing required attribute
A general parent issue covering missing required fields beyond just GTIN — could be brand, image_link, price, availability, or category-specific requirements like gender for apparel. Google reports the specific attribute in the issue detail.
Read moreRelated fields
Related tools
FAQ
Is 'New' always banned in titles?
Not always — but it's risky. 'New release' or 'New 2026 model' read as promotional. 'New' as part of a product name (e.g. 'New Era cap brand') is fine. The classifier's judgement is fuzzy here.
Last reviewed: 26 May 2026
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