How to fix Google Shopping GTIN error for antique coins?

[GrindstoneDsn]

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to fix the error I posted below on my store, classycoins.com. All of our products are antique coins which typically don't have barcodes or identifiers. What can I do to get my products listed on Google Merchant? 

Would putting the Brand Name "Classy Coins" work? Is there a plugin or app that will help be assign them to all of my products?

Thank you!

[EmmanuelFlossie · Accepted solution]

The correct way to submit the data in your case is to not submit brand, mpn or gtin and set identifier exists to no. As the Google Channel does not allow you to do this, you need to use feed rules instead.

Here is the official guide: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7450276?hl=en

And if you want a step by step guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvilyMb2Bo&t=199s

Make sure to reprocess the feed after you have applied the rules, to ensure it is applied: https://feedarmy.com/kb/how-to-reprocess-content-api-in-google-merchant-center/

Also make sure that you set the condition to used, and not new. Which you can also use the feed rules for.

[ilanadavis]

Hey @GrindstoneDsn 

If you sell products that have a GTIN or MPN, you need to include that in the Barcode field for Shopify.

Then your theme needs to include that field in the structured data. Most themes don't do this automatically so you can either code it into your theme or use an app to include the data for you.

If you don't use the GTIN or MPN, there is a setting in Merchant Center that you can use for custom products that will lean on the Brand. But your theme still has to include that in the structured data or you have to use an app.

My app, JSON-LD for SEO also has a setting that can use the SKU for your MPN if that's appropriate. If the barcode field is blank, we'll default to the SKU.

If you add the barcode field to your products or don't want to use the barcode field and just need an overall assessment of your structured data, feel free to email me at support@ilanadavis.com.  I can do a free structured data audit to see if your theme includes the information for you or if the JSON-LD for SEO app would be beneficial to you.

[EmmanuelFlossie · Accepted solution]

The correct way to submit the data in your case is to not submit brand, mpn or gtin and set identifier exists to no. As the Google Channel does not allow you to do this, you need to use feed rules instead.

Here is the official guide: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7450276?hl=en

And if you want a step by step guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvilyMb2Bo&t=199s

Make sure to reprocess the feed after you have applied the rules, to ensure it is applied: https://feedarmy.com/kb/how-to-reprocess-content-api-in-google-merchant-center/

Also make sure that you set the condition to used, and not new. Which you can also use the feed rules for.

[GrindstoneDsn]

Hey Emmanuel,

Thank you for your quick response! I just completed the steps in your video and liked + subscribed to your channel! 

However now I am facing an issue with my account being suspended by google merchant due to my products being "Used or Refurbished" and then imported into the Buy Now Google Listings which violates there policy. 

Is there a way for me to filter the data feed from Shopify to only direct to the Free Listings in my Merchant account to keep my account from being suspended? ( I assume if I delete then in GMC now they will just repopulate when the next pull occurs)

Thank you so much for your help!!

[EmmanuelFlossie · Accepted solution]

Buy on Google does not allow used products, so the suspension sounds correct by design.

You can use Shopping Ads, and Free listings.

You can uncheck buy on google by going to Google Merchant Center > products > feeds > click on your feed > settings > uncheck buy on Google.

Then reprocess the feed, if you can not reprocess the feed, follow the steps here: https://feedarmy.com/kb/how-to-reprocess-content-api-in-google-merchant-center/

[GrindstoneDsn]

Thank you so much!  that worked perfectly!

[DaveD]

Thanks a lot for the links. After I had recognized that 50% of my products had been not approved my google merchent, I had implemented the changes/ rules from your linked youtube video.

However, now I wanted to do this:

https://feedarmy.com/kb/how-to-reprocess-content-api-in-google-merchant-center/

But I dont understand this part:

1. Open the file using your favorite spreadsheet editor and copy the ID column (it can also be called item_id, if so change the header from item_id to id).
2. Go to Google Sheets
3. Paste the ID column contents

What do I have to do exactly? For me I use excel. For CVS files I know that it should be imported as data. and then?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

And then copy the id column and paste it in the google sheet.

[DaveD]

Your fast response is much appreciated.
So if I open in excel, the second column is called "id"

but what do i want in google sheets? Copy all the content in an empty sheet?! I guess not. I dont get it 😑

In addition I just recognized that now more and more items got approved in the last ten minutes (after I had set the rules).
Do I even have to do this csv-file-thing?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

Yes, you need to paste it, could you let me know why you are confused, as I want to update my article if its unclear. At the moment I don't see which part of the tutorial is unclear.

As to, do I have to do it, that is up to you. If you want the data to be reprocessed yes, if you don't mind waiting up to 30 days, then no, you don't need to do it.

[DaveD]

Emmanuel, for me is not clear what I have to do with the csv/ excel file. what I need to add and what to do next. But I may check your video again.

In addition, my products are considered to be just for adults, google support advised me:

..I recommend you add adult attributes in your feed with yes as the value of the attribute. ..

I came across this page, but I dont know exactly how to setup the feed correct. Could you advise?

https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324508?hl=en&ref_topic=6324338&sjid=1227188419306454183...

Thank you

[EmmanuelFlossie]

You can use feed rules to set adult to yes, here is the official documentation: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7450276?hl=en

[DaveD]

Thank you for the link 🙂

at step 8 i am not sure which modification is required. I guess below example would be wrong.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

If you want to set adult, yo uneed to choose add data source, not a modification.

Also not sure why you want to set adult values based on GTIN, but in any case, setting values must be done using data source.