Five policies for independent websites: Is your store compliant?

Those who run independent websites and invest in advertising often encounter these questions: "Why is my GMC account blocked?" "My ads keep failing the review process?" "My website is all set up, so why is it still saying it's non-compliant?"

Jan 11, 2026 0 2

Five policies for independent websites: Is your store compliant?

Those who run independent websites and invest in advertising often encounter these questions: "Why is my GMC account blocked?" "My ads keep failing the review process?" "My website is all set up, so why is it still saying it's non-compliant?"

In fact, the vast majority of problems stem from one crucial point—the website lacks complete "five policy pages." These five pages are the "identity card" of an independent website and are also the core basis for platforms such as Google, Meta, and TikTok to judge the credibility of a website.

Today we'll discuss in detail the five major policies for independent websites.

What are the five major policies for independent websites?

The so-called "five major policies" are actually five basic compliance pages that an independent website must have:

1. Privacy Policy: Informs users what information you collect and how you use that information.

2. Return & Refund Policy: Clearly states the return conditions, refund process, and refund timeframe.

3. Shipping Policy: Specifies shipping time, shipping method, and shipping costs.

4. Terms of Service: Explains website usage rules and the responsibilities of both buyers and sellers.

5. Contact Us: Provides accurate contact information so customers can find you.

Why does the platform place such importance on these five pages?

1. Authenticity: The platform needs to determine if you are a "genuine seller" and not a counterfeit website.

2. Transparency: Consumers should clearly understand the rules regarding products, after-sales service, and privacy before placing an order.

Missing or false pages are easily identified as misleading statements, lack of trust signals, or potential counterfeit websites, ultimately leading to the inability to place ads, GMC accounts being banned, and account restrictions.

Writing suggestions for each page

1. Privacy Policy: Describe the types of data collected (e.g., email address, payment information), indicate the purpose (only for shipping and customer service communication), and specify whether cookies are used.

2. Refund Policy: Specify the return period (e.g., within 30 days), explain the refund method and processing time, and add a "non-refundable/non-exchangeable" section.

3. Shipping Policy: Indicate the shipping location and estimated delivery time, indicate whether logistics tracking is provided, and if it is cross-border shipping, specify the estimated customs clearance time.

4. Terms of Service: Outline usage rules, disclaimer, and clearly state intellectual property rights and applicable laws.

5. Contact Us: Provide at least one email address and company address; adding a form or social media link is recommended.

Common mistakes (to be avoided)

1. The policy page is blank or displays "Under construction".

2. The address and business information do not match.

3. These pages cannot be directly accessed from the footer.

4. Content directly copied from another site is identified as invalid by the system.

Summarize

The five key policies for an independent website are like its "legal ID card." They not only determine whether the website can launch smoothly, but also whether the advertising account can operate safely and long-term. Only with a comprehensive policy page can a website be seen as a trustworthy and compliant brand by platforms such as Google and Meta.