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.
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
Key Features and Benefits of Google Merchant Center Next
Google Merchant Center (GMC) Next offers many features and benefits to its users. It has new upgrades when compared to Google Merchant Center Classic.
Here are some of the top ones:
1. Automatic Product Information Population
In 2022, almost 7% of Google Shopping Feeds were rejected due to data errors.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, in GMC Next, Google will automatically fetch all available product details from your website and use them to create your product feed. Now, of course, you can edit out any piece of product information or even entirely turn off this setting.
But there’s no denying the fact that this feature can prove to be powerful in creating error-free product feeds for Google Shopping.
2. Enhanced Control and Customization
GMC Next provides flexible product listing customization options.
With the “Edit Product” feature, merchants can modify every aspect of their listings directly from the dashboard. Whether it’s the title, description, price, or any other attribute, they can now make adjustments seamlessly without the need for deletion.
3. Insightful Analytics and Recommendations
In GMC Next, you can access all valuable insights about your products under the “Performance” tab. This includes details like demand, competitive visibility, and so on.
In addition, GMC Next features a “Click Potential” metric. It calculates the probability of visitors clicking on a product ad and offers personalized recommendations on optimizing product feeds for better ad results.
4. Support for More Countries and Languages
For any business to go global, demonstrating language flexibility is a must. GMC Next facilitates that.
With this version, merchants can expand their reach to international regions by listing their products in various regional and global languages. In fact, you can also select multiple currencies to sell your product across borders.
5. Simplified Interface
In GMC Next, some features have either been removed or relocated for improved navigation.
For instance, the “Growth” tab has been removed from the dashboard entirely. The “Merchant Center Programs” tab has also been dismissed. The “Business Details” tab has been moved to the left panel.
The “Performance” and “Promotion” tabs continue to appear as they did in GMC Classic. The only difference is that you can no longer make amends in the date range.
6. Feed Management and Supplemental Feeds
To facilitate feed management, GMC Next is all set to bring back two original merchant center features – Feed Rules and Supplemental Feeds.
Feed Rules allow merchants to manipulate their product data feeds before finally uploading them on the platform. On the other hand, supplementary Feeds are product data feeds that merchants use to provide information about their products.
7. New and Enhanced Features
Product Studio is a new feature in GMC Next. It’s basically a tool that uses Google’s AI principles to help merchants create and customize product photos. Using this, you can add custom product scenes, remove product backgrounds, increase photo resolution, and much more.
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.)
Bonus: Also read ‘How to Revert to Google Merchant Center Classic?’
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.
Here’s how:
- Sign in to Google Merchant Center.
- Tap on the “question mark (?)” icon at the top of the screen.
- Click on the “Use classic Merchant Center” option.
- A disclaimer will appear, reconfirming the switch. If you still wish to proceed, click on “Use classic Merchant Center.”
- Give your feedback, explaining why you want to make the switch. Once done, tap on “Submit.”
- One final disclaimer will appear. Check it and tap on “Switch now.”
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.
