Imagine you’re shopping online on Google for a specific product. You search for a T-shirt, but instead, the results show jackets you don’t need. Frustrating, right?
This is why categorizing your products on Google Shopping is essential. It ensures your products show up in the right search results, helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for.
But how do you get it right? That’s where Google Product Category comes in.
It organizes products into accurate categories, making them easy for customers to find. With proper categorization, your products become more visible, reaching the right buyers.
In this guide, we’ll show you what exactly Google Product Categories are, how to pick the right category for your products, how you can update them across Google Merchant Center and other ecommerce platforms like Shopify, and more.
So, let’s get started then, shall we?
Table of Contents
- What is Google Product Category?
- Google Product Category Finder
- How To Set Up Google Product Category?
- Updating Product Category in Shopify
- How to Set Up Product Category In Magento
- Best Practices for Google Product Categories
- Common Challenges with Google Product Categories (And Their Solutions)
- Additional Guidelines for Google Product Categories
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is Google Product Category?
Google Product Category [google_product_category] is an attribute that is used to categorize your products on Google.
This ensures products are organized accurately for better visibility in Google Shopping.
Here’s the complete list of Google Product Categories. for the USA.
All sellers must note that Google automatically assigns products a category using this evolving taxonomy. However, you can use the Google product category [google_product_category] attribute to override this automatic process if necessary.
Ensure that your product titles, descriptions, pricing, brand, and GTINs are accurate. Why so? This helps Google categorize your products precisely (in line with its taxonomy).
| Note: It’s important to note that there is a difference between the Google product category [google_product_category] and product type [product_type] attributes. Google Product Category uses predefined categories set by Google. In contrast, Product Type is a custom categorization system defined by the seller. Learn more about the difference between Google Product Category and Google Product Type. |
What is Google Product Category Taxonomy?
The Google Product Category taxonomy organizes products into specific groups for Google Shopping. It has over 6,000 categories, and Google updates it frequently to reflect new trends and products.
This taxonomy ensures that products are easily searchable and correctly displayed in relevant searches.
| Note: The “Google Product Category” is a specific attribute used in product feeds to categorize items under Google’s predefined categories. In contrast, the “taxonomy” refers to the entire system of classification that includes all potential categories and subcategories used by Google to organize products. |
Google provides merchant taxonomy in native languages, catering to merchants advertising in specific regions.
This helps ensure that products are categorized in a way that’s familiar to local buyers, improving the relevance of ads.
Example:
For a merchant selling kitchen accessories in France, Google provides the product taxonomy in French. For instance, “Baking Sheets” could be categorized as “Plaques de cuisson,” making it easier for French-speaking users to recognize.
This localized categorization aligns with language preferences, helping products appear more relevant and increasing the chances of interaction with ads.
Google Merchant Taxonomy List for Different Countries
Note: If your country is not listed, or if the native language of your country is not available, you should use the US taxonomy for categorizing your products.
Why Google Product Categories Matter
Choosing the correct Google Product Category is important for your success on Google Shopping. Here’s why it’s important:
- Better Search Alignment: Accurate categorization ensures your products appear in the most relevant searches. This results in more effective ads and attracts the right customers.
- Cost Savings: Accurately categorizing your products can help you spend less on ads while reaching more suitable buyers.
- Better Exposure For Listings: Products that are properly categorized tend to get more visibility, which can lead to increased sales.
When Should You Use Google Product Categories?
Knowing when to specify Google Product Categories can streamline your process and improve results:
- During Uploads: Always specify a category when you upload new products to your Google Merchant Center. It sets the stage for how your products will be treated in ads.
- US Taxes: If you sell products in the US, manually set the Google product category to make sure the right tax rate is applied. This helps avoid any tax issues.
- Correcting Misclassifications: Sometimes, Google might put your product in the wrong category, like placing a mobile phone under general electronics. You can change this manually to meet the specific requirements of the correct category.
| Note: You can review the Product Categories for all items under ‘Products’ > ‘All Products’. Inside this section, Google also highlights any errors associated with other product attributes and not just [google_product_category]. |
- Ads Targeting: If you’re running specific ad campaigns, adjusting the product category manually helps target the ads more effectively.
- Regulated Products: To comply with Google’s policies, it’s essential to categorize regulated items, especially alcoholic beverages. If they’re incorrectly categorized, you should fix this manually.
Format
When submitting the Google Product Category for your products, you can use either a numeric ID or the full text path. For instance, you might enter “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Dresses” or simply use the ID number 2271.
Google accepts various file formats for your product data, such as text feeds, XML feeds, and submissions via the Content API. Here’s how you can format your entries:
- Text Feeds: You can enter either ‘2271’ or ‘Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Dresses’.
- XML Feeds: Your entries should look like:
| <g:google_product_category>2271</g:google_product_category> or <g:google_product_category>Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Dresses</g:google_product_category>. |
To ensure your product categories are understood correctly by Google, follow these formatting guidelines:
- Supported Values: You may submit either the ID or the full path of the product category, but not both.
- Download a list of all Google product categories: You can download this list in Excel (.xls) or plain text (.txt) formats. If you’re using the plain text version and notice garbled text, switch your browser encoding to Unicode UTF-8.
- Language Options: To download the list in another language, select your desired language from the menu at the bottom of the page.
- Limit: Only one category per product is allowed.
- Repeated Field: No repeated entries are allowed.
| Note: Always submit your data source file in a format supported by Google to ensure that Google properly recognizes all product data attributes. |
Using Content API for Updating Google Product Category
Content API for Shopping allows merchants to automate the management of their Google Merchant Center account.
With the Content API, you can:
- Upload products
- Keep track of inventory
- Manage accounts
- Connect your inventory to Google Ads
And while using content API for updating product data, it’s important to follow the right format.
For example, the ‘googleProductCategory’ field can only be submitted as a ‘string’.
This simply means that when you are using Content API to upload products to the Merchant Center, you need to input the category name as text (a string) and not number or any other data type, exactly as listed in Google’s taxonomy.
For details on how to format your data using the Content API, refer to the Content API for Shopping resource.
| Note: Always submit your data source file in a format supported by Google to ensure that Google properly recognizes all product data attributes. |
Understanding the Structure of Google Product Categories
Google Product Categories are organized in a hierarchical structure that starts broad and becomes more specific as you move down the levels.
This structure helps sellers to categorize their products on Google Shopping precisely. And from a consumer’s point of view, it’s much easier for them to find these products within Google Shopping.
Let’s look at an example.
- Root Category: These are the biggest groups, like “Furniture.”
- Subcategory 1: Gets more specific, such as “Office Furniture.”
- Subcategory 2: Narrows down further, for example, “Workspace Tables.”
- Subcategory 3: The most detailed level, like “Art & Drafting Tables.”
Each level in the hierarchy refines the product’s category. For example, “Furniture” is broad, but “Art & Drafting Tables” is specific.
Examples of Google Product Categories
For various industries, specific examples can guide your categorization:
- Fashion items like dresses fall under “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Dresses.”
- Electronics such as laptops are listed under “Electronics > Computers > Laptops.”
- Home goods like chairs are included in “Home & Garden > Furniture > Chairs.” Choosing more precise categories, like “Smartphones” rather than “Mobile Phones,” enhances targeting precision.
Google Product Category Finder
For the US region, we have also built this Google Product Category Finder using Google’s official taxonomy. You can use this finder for your product and ensure that you are using the accurate data for your feed.
How To Set Up Google Product Category?
Let’s understand the different methods that can be used to set up product categories for your products.
Each method provides a different level of control and automation to suit various business needs.
Method 1: Google’s Automatic Categorization
Since filling out the Google category section is optional, you can let Google automatically assign what it considers the appropriate category for your products based on the data you provide.
This method doesn’t require any action from your side. And it simplifies the initial setup. But it requires some effort from your side where you need to manually check if the automatic categorization done by Google is accurate or not.
Step 1: Set Up Google Merchant Center
- Sign Up: First up, you will have to set up your GMC account.
- Verify Your Site: Confirm website ownership and configure shipping and tax settings to control your product data.
Step 2: Submit Your Product Feed
- Upload Your Feed: Then you will have to upload your feed. For that, go to ‘Products’, click on ‘Add Products’ and then ‘Add Another Product Source’.
- Choose ‘Use a Google Sheets Template’ option. Inside that, you will see an option of downloading a template that shows the correct format in which Google will accept product categories.
Prepare your product feed in that format and include all the important product details like title, description, price, and brand to help Google accurately categorize your products.
| If you are struggling in setting prices to your products, Google offers a price tracker, learn How to use Google Shopping Price Tracker |
Once you submit your feed, as we discussed, Google will assign categories based on other attributes like title, description, etc.
You will have to actively manage and review how Google assigns these product categories. For that:
- Review Categorization: Go to the ‘Products’ menu and select ‘All Products’ in Google Merchant Center.
This section provides a detailed overview of all your products, their assigned categories, and any issues detected (even for other product attributes).
- Ensure Accuracy: Make sure the categories accurately reflect your products. Use Google’s official list for Google Product Categories or Taxonomy as a reference to verify the correct categorization.
For example, ensure that “Hair Extensions” is listed under “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Hair Accessories > Hair Extensions.”
Best Suited For
New sellers who are just starting out and prefer a straightforward, automated setup.
Method 2: Manual Categorization
To manually set up your products according to the Google Product Category, there are two ways.
- By creating and uploading a fresh primary product feed to the Google merchant center along with the correct Google Product Category.
- The other is using a supplemental feed, through which you can make a partial update to your existing product data.
Let’s look at both methods.
Through Primary Product Feed
We already discussed above how you can prepare a feed and upload it to Google Merchant Center and then it will automatically assign Product Categories.
But let’s say you are uploading your products for the first time to the Merchant Center, you can prepare the feed yourself and submit it along with product categories for all items.
That will help you in sending accurately categorized products to Google Shopping.
How to do it?
- Visit Google Product Taxonomy: Go to the Google Product Taxonomy page to find the most accurate category for each of your products.
For instance, if you sell men’s T-shirts, the appropriate selection would be “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops > T-Shirts.”
- Note the Category Code: Each category is associated with a numeric code. Make sure to note this code, as you will need it for categorization.
- Prepare Your Product Feed: Prepare your product feed file. You can download a sample Google Sheet from the Google Merchant Center for guidance.
| For more information about adding a product source and new products, refer to the process that we discussed above. |
Once you have the sample, manually add a column titled ‘google_product_category’ to the sheet to include the appropriate categories for your products.
This is because the sample feed file doesn’t contain the ‘google_product_category’ column.
- Enter Category Details: In the newly added ‘google_product_category’ column, enter the numeric code or the full path of the category for each product.
- Repeat for All Products: Make sure to assign the most specific category possible for each product before proceeding to the next.
- Upload Your Updated Feed: Once every product has been categorized, upload the Google Sheet back to the Google Merchant Center. And your listings will get updated with the correct categories.
Best Suited For
Sellers who prefer complete control over their product categorization to ensure accuracy and relevancy.
| Note: You can also use your primary feed to override the categories that Google assigns automatically. |
Through Supplemental Feeds
Supplemental feeds are used to provide additional data that can be merged with the primary feed. These feeds are helpful for making partial updates to your product data.
Let’s learn how to create a supplemental feed that can be used to update or add product categories to all items.
- Step 1: Log in to Google Merchant Center.
- Step 2: Click on Products > All Products in the left-hand menu.
- Step 3: Click on the download icon.
- Step 4: Open the zip file and extract the file.
- Step 5: Change the file extension from .tsv to .csv to open it in your spreadsheet editor.
Copy and Paste Data:
- Step 1: Open the Excel file. You will see all your product data and their details in the sheet. We need to copy it.
- Step 2: Ensure you always copy the ID column.
- Step 3: Copy any other columns you wish to overwrite. In our case, we will select the Product Category as well.
- Step 4: Paste the data in a new sheet. And download it.
Add Supplemental Feed:
- Step 1: Go to Google Merchant Center > Data Sources > Supplemental Sources.
- Step 2: Click on “Add Supplemental Product Data”.
- Step 3: Select “Add Product Data From a File”.
- Step 4: Upload the new sheet we created. And then click on ‘Continue’.
- Step 5: Enter the Feed Label and Select a Language. Then, Create a Data Source.
- Step 6: And that’s it. Your products will get updated!
Best Suited For:
Sellers who need to update or correct categories for existing products without altering their entire primary feed.
Method 3: Automatic Categorization
As a merchant, you can also update Google product categories using automated methods such as by creating and implementing feed rules (attributed rules), and through category mapping.
Let’s understand both one by one.
Through Feed Rules
Feed rules allow you to manage and modify your product data more effectively in Google Merchant Center.
These are helpful even in the case of overriding existing data for your products.
Let’s learn how you can easily create feed rules and update product categories using that.
Step 1: In your Merchant Center account, click on the Settings & tools icon.
Step 2: Select Data sources.
Step 3: Under the “Product Sources” tab. And then, under “Primary Sources”, select a source.
Step 4: Click on the “Your Attribute Rules” tab.
Step 5: If you haven’t created attribute rules for the attribute you want to edit, click “Add attribute rule”.
Step 6: Inside, you will see two options. Click on “Processed Attributes” and select the “Google Product Category” attribute from the drop-down list. If you want to edit an existing set of attribute rules, use the search bar to find and click on the attribute you want to edit.
Step 7: Choose Data Replacement Method
- Set to: Create a new value or use a specific value from your data source for this attribute. This is used to assign a category directly from your available data or enter a new one manually.
- Extract: (optional) Use this option to extract category data based on specific keywords found in your product data. Understand more about how to use keywords in Google Shopping feed through this detailed guide on Google Shopping ads keywords
- Take Latest: (optional) This option uses the most recent category value from multiple data sources.
Step 9: Modify and Review Data (if applicable)
- If modifying existing rules, select the rule from “Processed Attributes” and make necessary changes.
- For new setups, you can enter specific values or select options that appropriately categorize your products based on Google’s taxonomy.
Step 10: Save and Test Your Rules
- Save as Draft: Initially save your changes as a draft to avoid immediate impact on your live data.
- Test Rules: Test the draft rules to ensure they apply properly to all items without any errors.
Step 11: Apply Changes
- Once confirmed, click “Apply Changes” to update your product data with the new categorization rules. This will synchronize the changes across your Google Merchant Center listings.
And done! Woah. That was quite a process, right?
But guess what? We have successfully updated the Google Product Category across all your listings through attribute rules (feed rules).
Best Suited For
Sellers looking to automate category adjustments based on specific attributes or conditions within their product feed.
Through Category Mapping
Category mapping is a process where you link your online store’s product categories with those used by external platforms like Google Shopping.
This is typically done using third-party product feed management tools, which give sellers more control over how their products are categorized rather than relying on Google’s automatic classification or doing it manually.
Standard Category Mapping Process Using a Third-Party Tool:
- Select a Product Feed Tool: Choose a tool that supports category mapping and integrates well with both your product database and Google Merchant Center.
- Map Your Categories: Use the tool to align your internal product categories with those in Google’s product taxonomy.
- Upload the Mapped Feed: After mapping, the tool generates a feed file. Upload this file to Google Merchant Center, or if supported by the tool, sync directly.
- Monitoring and Adjusting: After uploading, monitor the performance of your products in Google Shopping and make adjustments to your category mappings as necessary.
It’s also important to note that there are different tools (that can help with category mapping) for each platform, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.
So, choose one that best aligns with your e-commerce platform and meets your specific needs.
Some feed management tools like AdNabu, which are built specifically for Shopify merchants, allow them to perform category mapping in bulk. This means you can assign categories to entire collections at once, such as a specific collection for t-shirts or bicycle parts.
Through this, merchants can ensure that all products within a specific range are consistently classified. And that can further help enhance the accuracy and relevance of their Google Shopping listings.
| Learn how AdNabu helps Shopify merchants update their Google product categories for their products here. |
Best Suited For
This method is best suited for businesses with extensive catalogs, as it saves time and minimizes errors associated with manual entry.
Method 4: Mixed Categorization (Combining Manual and Automated)
As the name suggests, this method involves both automation and manual effort in setting up Google Product Categories for a product.
- Automated Categorization: Start by using a third-party tool or, alternatively, Google’s own automatic categorization to quickly categorize a broad group of items.
For example, through automatic categorization, all generic baby health products are categorized under “Baby & Toddler > Baby Health”
This method is fast and covers large groups of products easily.
- Manually Categorization: After the first stage, you realize that some products need more specific categories to ensure they show up in the right searches. For instance:
- Nasal Aspirators.
For such products, you will have to refer to Google’s taxonomy and manually place these under “Baby & Toddler > Baby Health > Nasal Aspirators.”
This will help ensure that such specific products are accurately categorized, making it easier for users to find them during targeted searches.
Best Suited For
Ideal for merchants who manage a diverse range of products, especially those with both general and highly specific items.
Let’s now understand how to update product categories in Shopify.
Updating Product Category in Shopify
Now, let’s understand how to update product categories in Shopify.
Shopify’s Standard Taxonomy
Before updating categories, it’s important that you are familiar with Shopify’s taxonomy. Why so? It’s because as per Shopify’s official guidelines, your products should be assigned a specific category from their Standard Product Taxonomy.
| Important Note: Shopify’s taxonomy also provides mappings for channels like Google, ensuring that your products are correctly categorized on external sales channels. Leveraging these mappings can help improve how your products are listed and found by customers on Google. However, be careful to select only those categories from the taxonomy that are supported by Google. For example, Product Categories like ‘Services’ and ‘Product Add-Ons’ are not supported on Google. |
Updating Product Categories via Shopify Admin
- Access Shopify Admin: Go to your Shopify admin panel and select “Products.”
2. Select a Product: Choose the product you want to update or create a new product.
3. Scroll down to ‘Categories’: Once you click on the product, you will see all its details like title, description, etc. Scroll down to ‘Categories’.
4. Choose the Right Category: Select the most specific category that best describes your product and will also be valid for the Google channel.
For example, if you’re categorizing Mattresses, you might choose “Furniture > Beds & Accessories > Mattresses > Latex Mattresses.”
- Use Metafields: If applicable, add category metafields like size, color, fabric, etc., which help enhance product listings and improve searchability and filter options on your store.
- Save: Press on ‘Save’ at the top of your screen, and your product and its category will get updated.
Using Category Metafields
When you assign a product category, Shopify allows you to add or customize category metafields. These metafields are associated with specific categories and can include details like size, color, fabric type, etc. For example:
- Add Standard Entries: If you categorize a product as a shirt, you can add metafields for the sleeve length, fabric type, or color.
- Customize Entries: You can modify existing entries to better suit your branding, such as changing “black” to “graphite.”
Bulk Editing Product Categories:
Shopify also offers tools to edit product categories in bulk, which simplifies updating multiple products at once:
- Go to Bulk Editor: From the Products page in your admin, use the bulk editor to update categories for multiple products simultaneously.
- Select Products: Choose specific products, variants, or select all items on a page or in your store.
- Edit Categories: If the Product category column isn’t visible, add it via the Columns option. Then, adjust categories using the dropdown menu, accepting or rejecting suggestions as needed.
- Save Changes: After making your selections, click Save to apply the changes.
Syncing Updated Product Data with Google Merchant Center
After updating your categories, you can use Shopify’s sales channel apps to sync your updated categories and products with external channels like Google Merchant Center.
This ensures your products are correctly categorized on platforms like Google Shopping, improving visibility and searchability for potential customers. Here’s how you can do it:
- Install a Sales Channel App: Add the Google & YouTube sales channel to your Shopify store from the Shopify app store.
- Sync Your Products: Configure the app to sync your products along with their updated categories to Google Merchant Center.
| Pro Tip: Making Products Available to the Google & YouTube Channel When you set up the Google & YouTube channel for the first time, all products available to your online store are automatically synced with Google Merchant Center. If you prefer to choose which products to sync, you can change the availability of a single product manually or do a bulk action to change the availability of several products. |
| Note: You can also sync your products with Facebook using the Facebook sales channel app. For products missing Google Product Categories, update them using the bulk product editor in the Facebook and Instagram app by Meta. |
Using the sales channel app to sync your updated products to the Google merchant center is one way. You can also use product feed management software like AdNabu to update Google Product Category for your products and instantly sync the updated product data to GMC.
Let’s learn how.
Spoiler Alert: AdNabu also helps you with other aspects of feed management and optimization.
Using AdNabu to Update Google Product Categories in Shopify
AdNabu is a ‘Built For Shopify’ app that streamlines product feed management for Shopify merchants.
It helps you with:
- AI Feed Optimization powered by the advanced GPT-4o-mini model.
- Multilingual and Multicurrency Google Shopping Feed Creation.
- Bulk Editing products and variants.
- Sync your Shopify products to leading marketplaces like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, Bing Shopping, and Snapchat.
- Create Merchant Center feed rules to easily auto-update product details.
It also simplifies the process of adding or updating Google product categories for Shopify merchants, ensuring your products are well-organized and easily discoverable on Google Shopping.
How to Update Google Product Categories Using AdNabu
- Open AdNabu: Start by launching AdNabu from your Shopify store’s app section.
- Navigate to Products: Once in the app, go to the ‘Products’ tab to see your list of items.
3. Edit Product Details:
- Select a Product: Choose the product you want to update.
- Access Category Settings: Scroll to the section labeled ‘Shopify’s Google Product Category’.
- Customize Category: Click on ‘Customize’. A dropdown menu will appear, displaying all the product categories according to the latest Google Taxonomy. Select the appropriate category for your product.
4. Save Changes: After selecting the correct category, make sure to save your changes.
5. Sync Changes: To update your Google Merchant Center, click ‘Update Feed’. This will instantly sync all changes to your feed.
Bulk Editing Google Product Categories Through AdNabu:
AdNabu also offers functionality for bulk editing, which is especially useful for merchants with extensive product catalogs.
- Select Products:
- Choose Products: On your Google Shopping Feed app’s product page, use the checkbox in the top left corner to select products. You can select all products displayed or pick specific products individually.
2. Bulk Edit:
- Click on ‘Edit products’.
3. Update Categories: In the bulk edit menu, find and select the ‘Google Product Category’ field. Start typing the category you need, and choose the correct one from the auto-suggested options.
3. Apply Changes: If necessary, apply the changes across all languages and countries.
4. Submit Changes: Press ‘Submit’ to finalize your edits.
5. Sync to Google Merchant Center: Like individual updates, press ‘Update Feed’ to sync the changes to Google Merchant Center, ensuring your product listings are updated and accurate.
| Important Note: We suggest that customers perform bulk edits based on specific collections. For example, in an ideal case scenario, a merchant should bulk edit collections for t-shirts and cycle parts separately. This allows for easier and more accurate category assignment to your products. |
How to Set Up Product Category In Magento
If you manage your product data in Magento, setting the Google Product Category is straightforward and ensures your products are properly categorized for Google Shopping:
- Access Your Admin Panel: Sign in to your Magento admin panel.
- Go to Products: From there, navigate to “Catalog” under the “Products” menu.
- Choose a Product: Click on the product you need to update.
- Edit Product Info: On the product editing page, find the “Google Shopping” section; the name might vary depending on the Magento version or extension.
- Locate the Category Field: Look for a field named “Google Product Category.”
- Set the Category: Click this field to see a dropdown of Google Product Categories and select the one that fits your product best.
- Save Your Changes: Click “Save” or “Save and Continue Edit” to apply your changes.
- Repeat For Other Products if Necessary: For other products needing updates, follow the same steps.
Best Practices for Google Product Categories
Below we have discussed some best practices for using Google Product Categories:
Use the Most Specific Category Possible
- Avoid Broad Categories: Broad categories can reduce ad relevance and performance because they provide less context about your product.
- Be Precise: Select the category that most accurately describes your product. The more specific you are, the better Google can match your product to relevant search queries.
Example: Instead of choosing “Electronics” select “Electronics > Video > Video Accessories > 3D Glasses” if that’s what you’re selling.
Use Google’s Official Product Taxonomy
- Reference the Latest Taxonomy: Always use the most recent version of Google’s Product Taxonomy. Google updates this periodically, so staying updated is crucial.
- Copy Exactly: Use the category names and numerical IDs exactly as they appear in the taxonomy to prevent errors.
Match Categories Accurately to Your Products
- Understand Your Product: Ensure you fully understand the product’s purpose and features to assign the most appropriate category.
- Avoid Misclassification: Incorrect categories can lead to disapproved products or poor ad performance due to irrelevant targeting.
Use Numerical Category IDs
- Preferred Method: While you can use the full category path, Google recommends using the numerical ID for accuracy.
Example: Use “157” instead of “Cameras & Optics > Optics > Binoculars” - Language Independence: Numerical IDs prevent issues related to language differences or typos.
Keep Language Consistent
- Match Feed Language: If you choose to use the category path instead of the numerical ID, ensure it matches the language of your product data feed.
- Avoid Translation Errors: Do not translate category names manually; use the version provided by Google for your target language.
Regularly Update Your Product Categories
- Stay Current: As you add new products or Google updates its taxonomy, make sure your product categories are up-to-date.
- Automate Updates: Use feed management tools that automatically update categories based on changes in your product catalog.
Leverage Feed Management Tools
- Automation: Tools like AdNabu, DataFeedWatch, Feedonomics, or GoDataFeed can simplify category mapping and updates.
- Bulk Editing: These tools allow for bulk changes, saving time and reducing the chance of errors.
Use Custom Labels for Advanced Segmentation
- Additional Segmentation: Use custom labels to further segment products beyond the standard categories for better campaign management.
- Strategic Bidding: This allows for more precise bidding strategies based on performance metrics.
Common Challenges with Google Product Categories (And Their Solutions)
Navigating Google Product Categories can present various challenges. Here’s how to address them:
Challenge 1: Misclassification Issues
Explanation: Products may be categorized incorrectly within Google’s system, which can lead to ad disapprovals or decreased ad visibility.
Solution: Regularly audit and adjust your product categories to ensure they are accurate and reflective of your inventory.
Challenge 2: Outdated Categories
Explanation: Google’s taxonomy can change, leading to certain categories becoming obsolete or less effective.
Solution: Stay informed about changes in Google’s taxonomy to ensure your categories are current and effective.
Challenge 3: Broad vs. Narrow Categories
Explanation: Overly broad categories can dilute the relevance of your ads, leading to less effective targeting and performance.
Solution: Opt for the most specific categories available. This enhances ad targeting, leading to better ad performance and more appropriate customer engagement.
Challenge 4: Managing Large Inventories
Explanation: Handling categorization for large inventories manually can be cumbersome and prone to errors.
Solution: Use automation tools and category management software to streamline and ensure accurate categorization across extensive product ranges.
Additional Guidelines for Google Product Categories
There are also some additional guidelines that you must know before using Google Shopping categories:
- Check Local Requirements: Always review the rules carefully to see if they apply in your area or for your specific products. If you don’t follow these rules, your products might be disapproved.
- Tax Rules in the USA: For products sold in the United States through Google, the Google product category values you provide help determine the correct tax rates in different states.
- Organizing Shopping Ads:
- In countries like Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, the UK, and the USA, you can organize your product groups in Shopping ads campaigns using the Google product category.
- In other countries, you must use the product type attribute for organizing bids in your Shopping campaigns.
- Be Considerate about the Product Category for Alcoholic Beverages:
- Always follow the policy for alcoholic beverages.
- Use specific categories like “Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages” or “Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies” for these products.
- Product Bundles:
- For bundles, use the category that best fits the main product. For instance, a digital camera with a bag should be categorized under “Cameras & Optics > Cameras > Digital Cameras.”
- Mobile Devices with Plans:
- For mobile phones or tablets sold with contracts or installment plans, use categories like “Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phones” or “Electronics > Computers > Tablet Computers.”
- If offering mobile phones with a contract, you might list the price as zero and categorize it under the specified mobile phone category.
- Gift Cards:
- Categorize gift cards under “Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Gift Giving > Gift Cards & Certificates.”
- Software Subscriptions:
- For software subscriptions, use categories such as “Software > Computer Software” or subcategories like “Antivirus & Security Software.”
Conclusion
Understanding Google Product Categories helps your items show up in the right searches. This guide showed you how to pick and update these categories, making sure they work well on Google Shopping.
Always keep your categories up to date to help shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for. This helps your products stand out and can lead to more sales.
Keep things simple and accurate, and you’ll see great results.
FAQs
- How do I find my Google Product Category?
To find the correct Google Product Category, visit Google’s Taxonomy List. Use keywords to search or browse the categories that best match your product. Shopify’s Google channel also has an option to search within categories, simplifying the process for products in your store.
- What is Google Product Category used for?
Google Product Category organizes your products for ads and search. It helps Google understand your item and show it to relevant shoppers. Using a precise category improves ad performance by enhancing targeting accuracy.
- What is a product category example?
An example of a Google Product Category is “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear > Coats & Jackets”. This type of structured category guides Google in correctly classifying your product for searches and ads.
- What happens if I don’t assign a Google Product Category to my product?
Without a Google Product Category, your product might struggle to appear in Google Shopping ads. Assigning a relevant category can help ensure your products reach the right audience, preventing underperformance in ad campaigns.
- How can I add or change Google Product Categories in my Shopify store?
To add or change Google Product Categories in Shopify, go to Products > Google fields within your Shopify admin. Select the product, then assign the category that best fits. Shopify’s integration with Google’s taxonomy helps streamline this process.
- Do I need to update my Google Product Categories regularly?
Yes, updating your Google Product Categories is advisable when you introduce new products or see updates in Google’s taxonomy. Regular updates keep your listings accurate and optimized for visibility in Google Shopping ads.
- Is Google Product Category the same as Product Type?
No, the Google Product Category is different from the Product Type. While Product Category is chosen from Google’s preset taxonomy, Product Type is custom and created by you, often reflecting your business’s own product classifications.
- Can incorrect Google Product Categories lead to disapproval of my Google Shopping ads?
Yes, incorrect Google Product Categories can lead to disapproval. If your products are misclassified, they might fail Google’s review process, impacting ad eligibility.
- What is the difference between Google Product Category and Taxonomy?
Product category is a specific category in Google’s taxonomy such as clothing, and accessories, while taxonomy is the system that organizes products into categories.
