The current version (7.1) of the BigCommerce product feed is not fully compliant with Google Merchant Center. The following errors occur when uploaded to Google Merchant Center:
Missing recommended attribute: product_type
Missing required attribute: google_product_category
Missing recommended attribute: mpn
Other bugs in the BigCommerce product feed:
Feed includes products marked unavailable for sale.
Currency is not denoted (USD) in price attribute.
Allow_Purchases items marked N are included in the feed.
Resources:
Google Products Feed Specification
Google Product_Type attribute taxonomy
New Google Required Attributes
- A Cheap Easy OK Fix
Download BigCommerce Google Product feed xml file.Open product feed xml file with a text editor that has search and replace functionality.Replace “g:model_number” with “g:mpn”To add your product_type and google_product_category, replace “</title>” with “</title><g:product_type>put your xml product type here</g:product_type><g:google_product_category>google xml product category taxonomy</g:google_product_category>”Save file and upload to Google Merchant Center.
After Sept. 22, 2011 Google has new requirements for attributes. There is a new google_product_category that is recommended for all products and required for apparel, media, and books.
The availability attribute will also be required.
Whats the difference between google_product_category and product_type? The attribute google_product_category must use Google’s taxonomy. The attribute product_type can use google’s taxonomy or your own.