Updating Google Product Search Information

Introduction

Google Product Search (now integrated into Google Merchant Center) requires specific product data fields to display your items in search results. Each product listing must include detailed attributes such as brand, condition, GTIN, MPN, and category identifiers.

Manually updating these attributes on each item can be time-consuming. UltraCart provides a more efficient approach by using Batch Item Export and Batch Item Import tools to edit and upload this information in bulk.

Tip: This method is especially useful for merchants managing a large catalog or making frequent updates to Google feed attributes.

Prerequisites

Before you begin:

• You must have access to Item Management permissions.

• You should have Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet editor installed.

• Review Google Merchant Center Feed Specifications for current attribute requirements.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Export Items with Google Product Search Columns

1. From your UltraCart back office, navigate to:
   Main Menu → Item Management → Batch Item Export

2. In the Export Contents dropdown, select Google Product Search Columns.
   This ensures that the exported spreadsheet includes the required fields for Google Product Search.

   Note: The export will include columns such as item ID, description, brand, GTIN, and Google product category.

3. Click Export to download the spreadsheet file to your computer.
   It will open in your spreadsheet editor and resemble the example below:

Open

This will download a spreadsheet file that has the item ID, description and all the Google Product Search columns. The spreadsheet should appear in your Excel and look like the screenshot below.

Open

2. Populate the Required Google Attributes

1. Review the columns and enter the corresponding product data for each item.

2. Make sure to include accurate values for all required Google attributes (e.g., gtin, brand, mpn, google_product_category).

3. When complete, save the file to your computer.

Warning: Do not rename or delete any of the columns in the spreadsheet. Doing so can prevent UltraCart from mapping the data correctly during import.

3. Import Updated Google Product Data

1. Navigate to:
   Main Menu → Item Management → Batch Item Import

2. Click Browse and locate the updated spreadsheet file.
   
   

   Open

   

3. Click Continue. UltraCart will automatically detect that this is a Google Product Search spreadsheet and map the columns accordingly.

   Open

   

4. Review the mapping confirmation page and click Continue again to start the import process.

Once the process completes, all product records will be updated with your new Google Product Search information.

Troubleshooting

FAQ

Q: What if I don’t see the “Google Product Search Columns” option in the export dropdown?

A: The “Google Product Search Columns” export preset is available only for merchants using the legacy product feed integration. If you don’t see it, verify that you’re on the latest UltraCart platform and that your user permissions include Item Management → Batch Item Export access. Contact UltraCart Support if the preset is missing.

Q: Which fields are required by Google for product listings?

A: At minimum, Google requires the following attributes for most products:

• ID (UltraCart item ID)

• Title

• Description

• Link (to the product page)

• Image link

• Availability

• Price

• Brand

• GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)

• Condition

• Google Product Category

Tip: Some product categories (e.g., Apparel, Media, Software) require additional attributes such as color, size, gender, or age group. Always check Google’s Product Feed Specification.

Q: Can I update only certain fields instead of all Google Product Search columns?

A: Yes. You can leave non-required columns blank during the update. UltraCart will only modify the fields that contain data in your uploaded spreadsheet. This helps avoid overwriting existing item data you don’t intend to change.

Q: My import completed, but Google still shows missing attribute errors. Why?

A: After updating your items in UltraCart, you must regenerate or resubmit your Google Product Feed to push the changes to Google Merchant Center. Updating item data within UltraCart does not automatically update Google’s data feed unless you’re using an automated integration.

Q: How can I verify that my Google Product Search fields were updated correctly?

A: Open the item in UltraCart, navigate to the Google Product Search tab, and review the populated fields. You can also export again using the Google Product Search Columns option to confirm that the correct data appears in the spreadsheet.

Q: What happens if I upload a spreadsheet with incorrect values or formatting?

A: UltraCart validates the file during import, but it won’t catch every error. If an invalid value is imported (for example, an unrecognized category ID), Google may reject the product during feed submission. To avoid this, validate your data against Google’s feed specification before uploading.

Q: Can I automate this process?

A: Yes. Merchants using Google Product Feeds within StoreFront can configure automatic daily feed submissions to Google Merchant Center. This eliminates the need for manual batch exports and imports once the feed is set up.

Next Steps

• Review your Google Merchant Center diagnostics for any remaining feed errors.

• Set up an Automated Product Feed Integration if you want UltraCart to regularly push your product data to Google.

• For ongoing feed management, consider maintaining a dedicated Google Product Feed spreadsheet template.