You can sync your product data from the Merchant Center account to the Retail API, using 'Cloud retail' as the feed destination. This synchronisation allows Google Cloud retail to use the items within your data feed, enhancing the overall product discovery experience.
Learn more about Retail API.
In this article, you will explore the benefits of using Google Cloud retail, along with step-by-step instructions on setting up Cloud retail as your feed destination.
On this page
Benefits
- Capture digital and omnichannel revenue growth: Syncing your product data with Google Cloud retail allows your products to be available across various online shops built on cloud platforms and physical shops, expanding your market reach.
- Become a customer-centric and data-driven retailer: Syncing data with Google Cloud retail enables you to gather valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences. Access to detailed analytics and customer data helps you to tailor your offerings to meet specific customer needs, fostering a customer-centric approach. Utilising data-driven strategies allows for more informed decision-making and personalised marketing campaigns.
- Drive operational improvement: the integration facilitates smoother and more efficient operations by centralising product data through the Retail API.
Instructions
There are two ways to sync your Merchant Center account to Google Cloud retail:
- From 'Manage programmes'
- From 'Linked accounts'
1. Set up Cloud retail destination from 'Manage programmes' tab
- In the left-hand navigation menu of your Merchant Center account, click Manage programmes within the 'Growth' tab.
- In the programmes listed, select Google Cloud retail.
- Click Get started. It will take you to the 'Link to Cloud retail' page.
- Select the Google Cloud Project from the drop-down.
Note:
- You can create a Google Cloud project to set up the Retail API or use an existing one.
- If the linking between Cloud and Merchant Center has already been established through the Cloud console, this field will be auto-populated.
- If you have a Google Cloud project that doesn't have the Cloud Retail API enabled, then you'll receive a notification to 'enable' the Cloud Retail API.
- Click Continue.
- Select the 'Cloud retail branch' from the drop-down.
- Select the Merchant Center feeds and feed labels to be synced to Cloud retail.
- Select the language of the feeds to be synced.
- Click Link and continue.
2. Set up Cloud retail destination 'Linked accounts' tab
- In your Merchant Center account, select the Tools and settings icon
.
- Select Link to Cloud retail.
- Click Get started.
- Select the Google Cloud Project from the drop-down.
Note:
- You can create a Google Cloud project to set up the Retail API or use an existing one.
- If the linking between Cloud and Merchant Center has already been established through the Cloud console, this field will be auto-populated.
- If you have a Google Cloud project that doesn't have the Cloud Retail API enabled, then you'll receive a notification to 'enable' the Cloud Retail API.
- Click Continue.
- Select the 'Cloud retail branch' from the drop-down.
- Select the Merchant Center feeds and feed labels to be synced to Cloud retail.
- Select the language of the feeds to be synced.
- Click Link and continue.
After linking a Google Cloud project, you can add more projects to Cloud retail by simply navigating to the 'Linked accounts' section under Tools and settings and clicking on 'Link project' under the Cloud retail tab.
Unlink Google Cloud projects from your Merchant Center account
- In your Merchant Center account, select the Tools and settings icon
- Select Link accounts.
- Go to the Cloud retail tab.
- Under the 'Actions' column, click Unlink.
You can also sync your Merchant Center account to Google Cloud retail using the Cloud console. Learn how to sync Merchant Center to the Retail API.
If you need any technical support, refer to this article.
Frequently asked questions
Is this feature available to all merchants?
Although the Cloud retail programme is visible for every merchant, only cloud customers are qualified to use this feature within the Merchant Center.
Is this feature available in Merchant Center Next?
No, it's not available.
What is a Cloud retail project?
A Google Cloud project is the account equivalent on the Google Cloud Platform. To use the Retail API, you need to enable it.
What is a 'Cloud retail branch'?
Within the Retail API, each project has a catalogue with three branches. Typically, a branch serves as a platform to stage catalogue modifications. The 'default' branch, which is utilised to present live data, can be alternated as needed.
Can multiple feeds be linked to the same Cloud retail project? And how does this differ from having only one feed?
Yes, if multiple feeds are linked, all products from both feeds will be exported to the Cloud retail project.
Who is responsible for approving linking requests, and how are the approver and requester informed, respectively?
Linking is only possible when the logged-in user possesses both admin access on the Merchant Center side and retail admin access on the Google Cloud project.
Does the linking request have an expiry, and how can a merchant resend or follow up with the approver?
Links remain indefinitely until unlinked. If you no longer want your products to be synced, you can unlink accordingly.
After linking, and once the feed is implemented, how does it translate in the merchant's online shop?
After the linking and feed setup has been completed, the Merchant needs to integrate with the Retail API to share user events, and they can then use the serving endpoint to power their online shop search and recommendations. Refer to this article for more information.
What permission do I need to link my accounts?
To link your account, you need to be an admin in your Merchant Center account and have Retail Editor identity and access management (IAM) permissions in Google Cloud. Refer to this article for more information.