Optional Google Shopping Attributes

[kkstarratings]

We never tire of repeating it, automation is not coming, automation is now. It is therefore becoming increasingly necessary to have an feed product range optimized to 100%. From Geotelecom, we have prepared a selection of optional attributes with which you can achieve a good optimization of the product feed. In fact, some of them are already mandatory in certain sectors and countries.

Do you dare to practice the Feedness with us? You are probably wondering...

Why are Google Shopping optional fields important?

1. 

   
   Google Shopping increasingly uses more and more filters both in the SERP as in the comparator tab Shopping, Where do you think he gets the information he needs? Exactly, from the optional attributesThe more information we provide, the better we will position ourselves.
   
2. Great possibilities to enrich titles and descriptions: by color, size, material. It is a unique opportunity to surpass your competitors
3. It will help you to gain visibility and positioning in some of the most important partners from Google, as for example in Google Images. 
4. If you are in the process of internationalizing your e-commerce you have to take into account that many attributes that are optional here, in Spain, are mandatory in some countries (We will talk about this later).
   
5. And of course, the higher the quality of the feedbetter ranking and therefore a CPC lower.

Optional Basic Attributes (not so optional)

► product_type [product_type].

Basically it serves to define the classification that the same seller makes of its products on its web page.. It is especially useful for:

• Organize the management of Google Shopping when campaigns are automated.
• Create useful and functional reports that help us analyze data that provide value and information. For example, to know for which type of products we are competitive and profitable or not and make decisions accordingly.

Example Nomenclature: Home > Men> Shoes> Wedding

► google_product_category [category_google_product].

It is an attribute used by Google Shopping for categorize a product or type of product. It could be considered as the product_type internal Google.  Although it is an optional attribute, it is considered mandatory in the following sectors:

• Clothing and Accessories
• Multimedia
• Software

If you need more information about this field, I encourage you to read our article dedicated to the google_product_category.

Example Nomenclature: Clothing and accessories > Accessories > Sunglasses. It can also be defined by numbers (178), each classification is assigned a number.

Mandatory attributes in other countries.

The following attributes are mandatoryGoogle's own words, "for all the clothing items of the feeds oriented to Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, United States and United States.as well as for all products available in different colors, sizes, gender, age, group id etc." Although in Spain they are not, in Geotelecom we recommend using them. Google Shopping already gives the option to filter products by this type of attributes.

► age_group [age].

This is the attribute used by Google to classify a product according to its age group (for example, children's shoes). In addition to the Clothing and Accessories can be used, among many others, in the following types of products:

• Games and toys,
• Books
• Night lights
• Ambient lighting.

Example Nomenclature: newborn [newborn], infant [3-12 months], toddler [1-5 years], kids [children] or adult [adults]

► gender [sex].

In the same way that we can determine the age of a product, we can do the same with its sex.  Apart from being used in clothing and accessories it can be very useful in products such as watches or jewelry.

Example Nomenclature: male [male], female [female] or unisex [unisex] [unisex

► color [color].

Attribute through which we define the color of a product. It can be a standard color or a unique color in case we have some kind of special color in our landing such as "passion red". Apart from being of great use in the Apparel and Accessories sector, we can also use it in electronics and jewelry.

Example Nomenclature: Red (single color product). Red/Green/Black (in products multicolor we can put up to 3 levels separated by /)

► material [material].

It cannot be missing if it helps to differentiate the same model available in several materials. Describes the fabric or material from which the product is made; allows a main material and add two secondary materials, always separated by /. It is an attribute that can be interesting to use in jewelry and furniture.

Example Nomenclature: cotton/polyester/walnut wood

► size [size].

In our view, this is one of the most underutilized attributes within the Google Shopping. It offers us a wide range of possibilities outside the fashion sector and can also help us to position ourselves in very relevant searches, users search a lot by the size or size of the products! Very useful for the following sectors:

• Jewelry
• Art reproductions
• Perfumes
• Storage for cell phones.

Example Nomenclature:

• Clothing and Accessories: M, S, L, XL
• Jewelry: 41½
• Art reproductions: 16×12 in.
• Cell phone storage: 16 GB

► item_group_id [item_group_id].

It is the basic pillar around which the rest of the attributes are supported. In addition to a product ID for each variant of the same model or product, differentiated by color, material, size, gender, etc., a group ID is required that encompasses all variants of the same product.

Example: Product ID.

Adidas Predator Black ID: 1111

Adidas Predator Red ID: 1112

Adidas Predator Green: 1113

Item Group Id of these three models: 111_Ad_pr

Other useful optional attributes

► Multipack [multipack].

Suitable for use when a customer groups several products OF THE SAME TYPE to be sold in one pack. Example: Pack of 5 pink flip-flops. Very useful! For customers selling decorative items and small products that can be packaged.

WARNING! They should only be used if the customer and NOT the distributor has bundled the products. It is mandatory for multipack products in Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and United Kingdom.

Example Nomenclature: any number greater than 1.

► is_bundle [en_lot].

Similar to the previous attribute, in fact it is mandatory in the same countries, in this one we define ONE MAIN PRODUCT and TWO SECONDARY PRODUCTS that are grouped in the same pack but are NOT of the same type. Example; Canon camera + 2 lithium batteries.
Very useful! To propose to the client strategies that allow him to make attractive offers, especially in those products that, due to distribution issues, he cannot lower the price.

Example nomenclature: yes, true, no, false

► availability_date [availability_date].

Used to indicate to users when the product they have reserved will be shipped. We use this value if the availability value is set to "preorder". Very useful! For home appliance or furniture stores that work with dropshipping for example .

Two cases:

• The product is available for pre-order and has a specific release date: availability_date [availability_date]. 2016-12-25T13:00-0800
• The product is available for pre-order and does not have a specific release date: availability_date [availability_date] None, as no date is available.

► additional_image_link [additional_image_link].

Thanks to this attribute, our products will be seen from different perspectives so that the potential buyer does not miss any detail. These images are governed by the same requirements as the attribute image_link with the following exceptions:

• You can include the product in a test environment or show how it is used.
• INCLUDING GRAPHICS or ILLUSTRATIONS
• If we use the is_bundle attribute [is_bundle] we can display a bundle in parts instead of all the products in the bundle at once.
• When we use the [multipack] attribute.

► energy_efficiency_class [energy_efficiency_level].

Indispensable for e-commerce of household appliances, but also useful for users who commercialize electric lamps.

Example Nomenclature: A+++, A++, A+, A, B, C, D, E, F and G

We know that consulting Google support can sometimes be tedious or we can be confronted with an excessive amount of information. We hope that this selection of attributes will serve as a guide when it comes to perfecting your feed We encourage you to add them all, if you don't do it your competitors will sooner or later and, as they say, they will eat your toast!

By the way, do you miss any other attribute? Let us know which ones you use! ?