In August 2023, Google announced the arrival of Google Merchant Center (GMC) Next—an upgraded version of its pioneer Merchant Center—through its annual Marketing Live event.
Apart from declaring the update, this revelation also hinted at Google’s roadmap for empowering online businesses.
But that’s not all that makes GMC Next so special.
From the new features to the robust enhancements, everything about this new Merchant Center update clearly indicates that it’s likely the next big evolution in the eCommerce space.
Some of its new features, upgrades, and benefits include:
- Automatic Product Information Population: To reduce errors in Google Shopping Feeds, GMC Next can automatically gather and populate product details from your website, creating more accurate product feeds.
- Better Control and Customization: With GMC Next, merchants can easily edit product details such as titles, descriptions, and prices directly from the dashboard, providing greater flexibility.
- Insightful Analytics and Recommendations: GMC Next provides detailed insights into product performance and includes a “Click Potential” metric to help optimize product feeds for better advertising results.
- Support for More Countries and Languages: Merchants can now list products in various languages and currencies, expanding their global reach.
- A Simplified Interface: The interface has been streamlined by removing or relocating certain features to enhance usability.
- Feed Management and Supplemental Feeds: Features like Feed Rules and Supplemental Feeds have been reintroduced in GMC Next, allowing more control over how product data feeds are managed.
Read Also: What are Google Merchant center Automatic Item Updates
So, if you’re a merchant who’s keen to learn more, read this blog as we explore this product and discuss how to switch to Google Merchant Center Next.
Let’s start!
Table of Contents
How to Upgrade to Google Merchant Center Next?
The GMC Next update is fairly new and yet to be rolled out globally. So, here is what the sign-up process currently looks like:
For New Users
As a new user, you don’t have the option to select any other version.
To sign up, go to the Google Merchant Center home page and tap on “Start Now.”
For Existing Users
Google is rolling out the update to current users on an “invite-only” basis. This means you can either opt-in and switch to GMC Next or choose to continue with GMC Classic.
This rollout is estimated to be completed by the end of 2024.
(Note: There is no cost associated with shifting to GMC Next.)
Transition Management
Note that Google is overseeing the transition entirely, meaning users can’t manually switch to the new version. However, if users are already using Merchant Center Next, they have the option to switch back to the regular Merchant Center if necessary.
Switching Back to Google Merchant Center Classic
According to Google, GMC Next is still very much in the works, so it might not be able to accommodate every merchant’s needs at the moment.
Due to this reason, Google is currently allowing users who’ve switched from GMC Classic to GMC Next to switch back to the former version.
If you are interested in making that switch, you can read our blog on switching back to the classic GMC experience. We have covered the step-by-step process that will help you with the switch seamlessly.
To Wrap Up
With its ingenious features, GMC Next aids digital merchants in many ways. From helping them create accurate product feeds to optimizing them to expand their target market, this merchant center update by Google is nothing short of groundbreaking.
So, if you haven’t yet transitioned to GMC Next, wait for your invitation to join the league of online businesses leveraging the benefits of this update in their Google Shopping feeds.
So, if you haven’t yet transitioned to GMC Next, wait for your invitation to join other online businesses leveraging the benefits of this update in their Google Shopping feeds.
FAQs
1. Why should I upgrade to Google Merchant Center Next?
There are many advantages to switching to Google Merchant Center Next. In contrast to Google Merchant Center Classic, the former not only provides a simplified user experience but also gives merchants full control over how their products appear on Google, insights on top-selling products, and expert guidance for performance improvement.
2. How to upgrade to Google Merchant Center Next?
There’s no option for merchants to manually switch their accounts to Google Merchant Center Next. Currently, Google is managing the transition by itself, and the update is being rolled out on an “invite-only” basis to existing users. In contrast, new users are signing up for the latest version itself.
3. Is there any cost associated with upgrading to Google Merchant Center Next?
No, there is no cost associated with upgrading to Google Merchant Center Next.
4. Will my existing product listings and campaigns be affected by the upgrade?
Yes. As per Google, your existing product listings and campaigns will be affected by upgrading to Google Merchant Center Next.
5. What new features can I expect in Google Merchant Center Next?
Google Merchant Center Next offers many new, efficient features to its users. For instance, automatic detection of product data, editable products, product studio to edit product photos, performance insights, etc.
6. How do I ensure a smooth transition when upgrading?
To ensure a smooth transition from Google Merchant Center Classic to Google Merchant Center Next, follow Google’s instructions, review and refine your product feeds, and monitor your performance. Additionally, make sure you communicate with your team and stakeholders throughout the process to address any issues promptly.
7. Can I revert to the previous version if I encounter issues with Google Merchant Center Next?
No, if you’re a new user, you cannot revert to the previous version in case of issues with Google Merchant Center Next. However, if you’ve used Google Merchant Center in the past, you can switch back to it.
8. Where can I find support and resources for Google Merchant Center Next?
There are two ways to get support and resources to resolve issues related to Google Merchant Center Next. You can either reach out to Google directly with your query or post it on their product community forum to receive help from verified community members.
9. How often does Google release updates to the Merchant Center?
Google releases updates to the Merchant Center product data specifications every year to enhance the user experience and efficiency. This way, Google ensures that the Merchant Center remains a dynamic and responsive platform, continuously evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of merchants and consumers alike.
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