Local inventory ads product data specification

The identifier for each item, unique across all stores, and cannot be reused between feeds of the same type for the same country in the same language. 

When to include: Required for all items.

Important:

• Starting and trailing whitespaces and carriage returns (0x0D) are removed.
• Each sequence of carriage return (0x0D) and whitespace characters (Unicode characters with the whitespace property) is replaced by a single whitespace (0x20).
• Only valid unicode characters are accepted. This excludes the following characters:
  • Control characters (except carriage return 0x0D)
  • Function characters
  • Private area characters
  • Surrogate pairs
  • Non-assigned code points (in particular, any code point larger than 0x10FFFF)
• Once an item is submitted, the ID can't change when you update your data feed or be used for a different product at a later time.
• If you're using id for Shopping campaigns we recommend that you only use lowercase or case-insensitive characters.

The name of your item. We recommend you include characteristics such as color or brand in the title that differentiate the item from other products. We might sometimes serve the title from your online item or Google Catalog data instead if there's a match.

When to include: Required for all items.

Important:

• Follow our editorial guidelines closely. For example, do not include any promotional text such as "Free shipping," and do not use BLOCK CAPITALS.
• For variant products, you're required to include the common title of the variant items. For example, if “Mens Pique Polo Shirt” is available in red and blue colors, you can have one of the following titles:
  • Mens Pique Polo Shirt (Can be used for both variants)
  • Mens Pique Polo Shirt - Red (For the red shirt)
  • Mens Pique Polo Shirt - Blue (For the blue shirt)

Include only information relevant to the item. Describe its most relevant attributes, such as size, material, intended age range, special features, or other technical specifications. You should also include details about the item’s visual attributes (e.g. shape, pattern, texture, and design), since we may use this text to find your item.

We recommend that you enter around 500-1,000 characters, but you can submit up to 5,000 characters. Descriptions should follow standard grammar rules and end with a punctuation mark.

When to include: Required for all items.

Content API v2 (JSON): "description": "Solid red, queen-sized bed sheets made from 100% woven polyester 300 thread count fabric. Set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two standard pillowcases. Machine washable; extra deep fitted pockets."

Content API v2 (XML): <description>Solid red, queen-sized bed sheets made from 100% woven polyester 300 thread count fabric. Set includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two standard pillowcases. Machine washable; extra deep fitted pockets.</description>

Important:

• Make sure to follow our editorial guidelines closely. For example, do not include any promotional text such as "Free shipping," do not use BLOCK CAPITALS, and do not include a description of your brand or company.
• Additionally, the following information shouldn't be included in descriptions:
  • Links to your store or other websites
  • Billing, payment, or sales information
  • References to internal categorization systems, e.g. "Toys & Games > Toys > Baby Dolls"
  • Comparisons to other products beyond the item you’re selling, e.g. “even better/faster/larger than X”
  • Details about other products, accessories, or similar items available

This is the URL of the main image for a product and is the first image users see on product detail pages.

If you have multiple different images of the item, submit the main image using this attribute, and include all other images in the 'additional image link' attribute.

Image size:

• Submit the largest, highest resolution, full-size image you have for the product, up to 16MB file size.
• Recommended image size is at least 800 x 800 pixels.
• For apparel products, images must be at least 250 x 250 pixels and can't be larger than 64 megapixels. For all other products, images must be at least 100 x 100 pixels and can't be larger than 64 megapixels.
• Do not scale up images or submit thumbnails. We recommend the product to take between 75-90% of the full image.

When to include: Required for all items.

Content API v2 (JSON): "imageLink": "http://www.example.com/image1.jpg"

Content API v2 (XML): <image_link>http://www.example.com/image1.jpg</image_link>

By meeting the requirements and recommendations below, you can improve the shopping experience for Google Express users.

Requirements:

• If you have no image of the item, you cannot submit the item.
• The following types of images are also not allowed:
  • Placeholder or incorrect product images
  • Generic images, graphics, or illustrations that are not the actual product images, except for products in the 'Hardware' (632) or 'Vehicles and parts' (888) categories, which allow graphics and/or illustrations of the actual product
  • Single color images that are only a square of color, except for products in the 'Vehicle Paint' (3812), 'Craft Paint, Ink & Glaze' (505378), and 'Painting Consumables' (503740) categories
  • Images containing promotional elements (e.g. calls to action such as “buy”; service-related information such as extended warranty; free shipping; price information; promotional adjectives such as “best, cheap”; condition or compatibility such as new, 2-piece, adaptable) or names and/or logos of merchants regardless if the above mentioned elements overlay the product. This also applies to watermarks with promotional elements or names and/or logos of merchants.
  • Images containing obstructing content (e.g. watermarks, brand names and/or logos) that overlay the product being sold
  • Images that include borders
  • Images of a bundle that do not show the entire bundle
  • Images of multipack that do not display a single unit of the product

  Landing pages with no image or placeholder images that do not show the actual product are also not allowed.

  • Make sure that the image you provide for each item matches the values provided in the color, pattern, and material attributes, or your item might be disapproved.

Recommendations:

• For all other countries and categories: If you can't provide the appropriate images to submit your items as variants, you may list your variant products as a single item with multiple values for the variant attributes and provide the available image.
• The image must accurately display the product and include minimal or no product staging.
• For variants based on color, each individual variant item you submit must have an image that displays the product in a single color.
• The main image should be taken on a solid white, gray, or light colored background.
• The main image of a product should include a main and/or clear view of the product being sold. Additional views of the product (other than the main view) should be submitted in the ‘additional image link’ attributes.

Formatting:

• The accepted image formats are non-animated GIF (.gif), JPEG (.jpg/.jpeg), PNG (.png), BMP (.bmp), and TIFF (.tif/.tiff) and the file extensions for these images should correspond to their format.
• The accepted URL protocols are "http" and "https." Any symbols used within the image URL must be replaced by URL encoded entities (e.g. comma = %2C).
• We recommend that you submit stable URLs for your images and only update the URL if the actual image of the product has changed. This is especially important if you use a content delivery network to host images, and it makes sure that we can correctly crawl your images.

Cropping:

We may automatically crop your image to focus more on the product. To opt out of this feature, contact us.

Google allows the promotion of quality second-hand items. Google also allows the promotion of refurbished items as long as they comply with local laws and regulations and with our policies.

There are only 3 accepted values:

• 'new' [new]: The product is brand-new and has never been used. It's unopened in its original packaging.
• 'refurbished' [refurbished]: The product has been professionally restored to working order, is "as new," and comes with warranty. The packaging may or may not be the original packaging. This is sometimes referred to as "remanufactured."
• 'used' [used]: Use this value if 'new' and 'refurbished' don't apply. For example, if the product has been used before, is a refilled printer cartridge, the original packaging has been opened, or the original packaging is missing.

When to include: Required for all items.

Content API v2 (JSON): "condition": "used"

Content API v2 (XML): <condition>used</condition>

Important: If you're submitting the attribute names in English, you'll need to provide the attribute values in English as well.

Use the gtin attribute to submit Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) in one of the following formats:

• UPC (in North America / GTIN-12): 12-digit number. 8-digit UPC-E codes should be converted to 12-digit codes
• EAN (in Europe / GTIN-13): 13-digit number
• JAN (in Japan / GTIN-13): 8 or 13-digit number
• ISBN (for books): 10 or 13-digit number. If you have both, only include the 13-digit number. ISBN-10 are deprecated and should be converted to ISBN-13.
• ITF-14 (for multipacks / GTIN-14): 14-digit number

Important:

• We accept only valid GTINs as defined in the official GS1 validation guide, which includes these requirements:
  • The checksum digit is present and correct.
  • The GTIN is not restricted (GS1 prefix ranges 02, 04, 2).
  • The GTIN is not a coupon (GS1 prefix ranges 98 - 99).

When to include: Refer to the unique product identifier rules for your target country.

Content API v2 (JSON): "brand": "Acme"

Content API v2 (XML): <brand>Acme</brand>

Important: Do not provide your store name as the brand unless you manufacture the product.

If you can't match the id in your local products feed to the id in your products feed, you can use webitemid for matching. You’d submit different values for your id, but the same value for webitemid and id. This should always match the id of the corresponding variant in your products feed, if one exists.

Since webitemid is only used for matching, multiple items may share the same webitemid if they map to the same item in your products feed.

When to include: Recommended for all items with different IDs/SKUs for online versus product.

Important:

• Starting and trailing whitespaces and carriage returns (0x0D) are removed.
• Each sequence of carriage return (0x0D) and whitespace characters (Unicode characters with the whitespace property) is replaced by a single whitespace (0x20).
• Only valid unicode characters are accepted. This excludes the following characters:
  • Control characters (except carriage return 0x0D)
  • Function characters
  • Private area characters
  • Surrogate pairs
  • Non-assigned code points (in particular any code point larger than 0x10FFFF)
• Once an item is submitted, the webitemid can't change when you update your data feed or be used for a different product at a later point in time.

In this attribute, you'll include Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) for your products.

When to include: If you sell your items both in-store and online and cannot use the id attribute to match, you’ll need to use either webitemid or unique product identifiers as matching attributes.

If you’re using any unique product identifiers to match, you need to include condition in this feed.

This code uniquely identifies the product to its manufacturer. In particular, the combination of brand and MPN clearly specifies one product.

When to include: If you sell your items both in-store and online and cannot use the id attribute to match, you’ll need to use either webitemid or unique product identifiers as matching attributes.

If you’re using any unique product identifiers to match, you need to include condition in this feed.

When to include: If you sell your items both in-store and online and cannot use the id attribute to match, you’ll need to use either webitemid or unique product identifiers as matching attributes.

If you’re using any unique product identifiers to match, you need to include condition in this feed.

All items that are variants of the same product need the same item_group_id value. If you have a “Parent SKU” that's shared by all variants of a product, you can provide that as the item_group_id value.

When to include: For Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S., required for all items with variants that use these detailed product attributes: color, size, pattern, material, age group, gender, size type, and size system. Recommended for all other countries.

Content API v2 (JSON): "itemGroupId": "AB12345"

Content API v2 (XML): <item_group_id>AB12345</item_group_id>

Important:

• The item_group_id attribute is different from the id attribute. An item_group_id attribute has common values for a group of variants whereas the id attribute should have unique values across a group of variants and for all other items, as well.
• The values provided for item_group_id should be unique between products, and only shared by items that are variants of the same product.
• If you send us an item_group_id attribute, we'll automatically look for variant attributes. If an item uses item_group_id, make sure the item has at least one detailed product attribute.

This defines the dominant color(s) for an item. When a single item has multiple colors, you can submit up to 2 additional values as accent colors:

• Combine the colors with "/" in order of prominence (dominant color first, then up to 2 accent colors). For example, a black shoe with green accents should have a color value of 'Black/Green.' In the case of non-deformable goods in Apparel like jewelry or wooden accessories where finishes or materials are equivalent to color, the finish or material name can be submitted in the color attribute (e.g. 'Mahogany' vs. 'Stainless Steel' vs. 'Rose Gold').
• Limit the number of colors submitted to 3 values per item.
• If you're using XML, represent the "/" with "/"

When to include: Required for all products in an item group that vary by color and all apparel items in feeds that target Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. Recommended for all products for which color is an important, distinguishing attribute.

Content API v2 (JSON): "color": "Black"

Content API v2 (XML): <color>Black</color>

What not to include:

• Color values that contain numbers (e.g. '0 2 4 6 8')
• Color values that contain non-alphanumeric characters (e.g. '#fff000')
• Single letter color values (e.g. 'G') in Latin-based languages. Single-letter color values in Chinese/Japanese/Korean languages (e.g. '红') are acceptable.
• Color values that reference the product or product image (e.g. 'see image')
• Descriptive values that are not actually valid color names (e.g. multicolor, various, variety, see image, N/A)
• Long color values exceeding 40 characters
• Long color values that are aggregates of several other colors (e.g. RedPinkBlue). Instead:
  • If you're trying to indicate multiple colors for a single item (not product variants), specify a primary color, optionally followed by at most 2 secondary colors, separated by a "/." For example, replace RedPinkBlue with Red/Pink/Blue.
  • If you're trying to indicate multiple colors for multiple similar items (product variants), submit these as separate products each with the same item group ID and a different color value.

A note on invalid submissions:

• If you submit a color value that violates the syntactic rules above, we may reject the entire item at the time of feed submission.
• We regularly verify the correctness of the attributes you submit, including color. If the values provided are found to be incorrect, we may remove all of your items from Google Shopping.

Important:

• For variants, each different color or color combination must be submitted as its own item, in conjunction with the item group id.
• Use consistent names of colors across variants of the same product, as well as across multiple products of the same category.
• The values you provide may be displayed to users, so provide values that they will be able to understand.

This indicates the size of a product. For ‘Apparel & Accessories’ items, you can also submit the size type and size system attributes to provide more details about your sizing.

When to include: Required for all products in an item group that vary by size. Required for all apparel items in the 'Apparel & Accessories > Clothing' and 'Apparel & Accessories > Shoes' product categories in product data that targets Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. Recommended for all products for which size is an important, distinguishing attribute.

Content API v2 (JSON): "sizes": ["XL"]

Content API v2 (XML): <size>XL</size>

Important:

• For variants, each different size or size combination must be submitted as a separate item, in conjunction with the item_group_id. Learn more about submitting apparel products.
• If sizes contain multiple dimensions, condense them into one value (e.g. “16/34 Tall” for neck size 16 inches, sleeve length 34 inches, and “Tall” fit).
• Use consistent size values across variants of the same product, as well as across multiple products of the same category. For example, within a group of t-shirts, use “S,” “M,” and “L” as sizes, not “S,” “Medium,” and “Lrg.”
• You can use the same image for size variants if specific images aren't available, but we recommend that the link attribute leads to a page which specifies all the details about the variant item.
• The values you provide may be displayed to users, so provide values that they'll be able to understand.
• You can provide additional details about your sizing in the text string. For example, you can provide “3.5 Kid” or “3.5 Toddler.”
• If your item is one size fits all or one size fits most, you can use the phrase "one size," "OS," "one size fits all," "OSFA," "one size fits most," or "OSFM" in this attribute.

Example Sizing Values

Sizing values can be difficult to represent across different types of apparel products. It's not required to provide these exact values, but it may be helpful for you to standardize the size values of your apparel products. You can also use the size type and size system attributes to provide more information about the sizing of your products.

Tops, Outerwear, and Dresses

XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 1XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL
00, 0, 02, 04, 06, 08, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

Bottoms

XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 1XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL
00, 0, 02, 04, 06, 08, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34
23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44
For Pants: 24x30, 24x32, 24x34

Plus, Petite, Big, Tall, Inseams, etc.

• When an item applies to a special size group, like Plus, Petite, Maternity, or Big and Tall, use the size type attribute
• When an item includes an inseam, consider using this format for the size: 30 Short, 30 Regular, 30 Long

Shoes

• For US: 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16.
  Note: When a shoe is available in different width sizes, an indication is recommended: 9.5 M, 8 W, 12 N.
• For Europe: 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45

When to include: Required for all products in an item group that vary by gender and for all apparel items in feeds that target Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. Recommended for all products for which gender is an important, distinguishing attribute.

Important

• If you're submitting the attribute names in English, you'll need to provide the attribute values in English as well.
• This attribute is recommended rather than required for the ‘pinback buttons,’ ‘tie clips,’ ‘wristbands,’ ‘shoe covers,’ ‘shoe laces,’ ‘spurs,’ ‘watch bands’ subcategories of ‘Apparel & Accessories.’

Use the age group attribute to indicate the demographic of your item.

When to include: Required for all products in an item group that vary by age group and all apparel items in feeds that target Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. Recommended for all products for which age group is an important, distinguishing attribute.

Content API v2 (JSON): "ageGroup": "adult"

Content API v2 (XML): <age_group>adult</age_group>

Important:

• The target market for each value is defined as follows:
  • 'newborn' [newborn]: Up to 3 months old. Newborn sizes are often identified by the month (0-3) age range and/or the single value 'newborn' [newborn].
  • 'infant' [infant]: Between 3-12 months old. Infant sizes are often identified by the month (3-12) age range.
  • 'toddler' [toddler]: Between 1-5 years old. Toddler sizes are often identified by the month (12-24) or year (1-5) age range.
  • 'kids' [kids]: Between 5-13 years old. All sizes within this age group have been manufactured to fit a child in that age range.
  • 'adult' [adult]: Typically teens or older. All sizes within this age group have been manufactured to fit an adult or teen in this age range.
• If you're submitting the attribute names in English, you must provide the attribute values in English as well.
• This attribute is recommended rather than required for the  ‘pinback buttons,’ ‘tie clips,’ ‘wristbands,’ ‘shoe covers,’ ‘shoe laces,’ ‘spurs,’ ‘watch bands’ subcategories of ‘Apparel & Accessories.’
• If an item clearly isn't just for children, it should be declared as 'adult' [adult] because only one value may be submitted per item.

If product price is consistent across stores, use this attribute to submit this default price. Submit this price if product price is consistent across stores, or if you are implementing the merchant hosted local storefront basic feature.

Otherwise, any store-specific prices that you include in the local products inventory feed will override this attribute value.

If you’re implementing the merchant hosted local storefront (basic) feature, the pricing attributes are required and must match the price on your landing page.

Note: Google assumes the currency based on the country of the store location. If the currency is set at item level, make sure it complies to ISO 4217 Standard.

When to include: Recommended for all items.

Use this attribute to submit the advertised sale price of the item.  

We recommend submitting the sale price effective date attribute for any items with sale prices, as this will determine when your sale price should be live. If the sale price effective date isn't submitted, the sale price will be in effect for that item for as long as it's submitted in your feed.

When to include: Recommended for items on sale.

Used in conjunction with sale price. This attribute indicates the date range during which the sale price applies.

Note: Time zone is optional [YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss[Z|(+|-)hh:mm]. If timezone is absent, Google assumes the local time zone for each store. We use 24-hour time for the hour values.