Shopify pre order app not working with Google Merchant Centre

[FoDB]

I'm stuck with a problem and have only a few weeks to fix it. We started using a pre order app earlier this year and it was running fine until we received an email from the Google Merchant Centre that the product feed coming from Shopify is incorrect. Google removed all our pre order products from Google Shopping.

The pre order app shows the product availability as "pre order" on the website but the product feed shows "in stock". This is against the Google Merchant Centre guidelines. Availability must match on the product page and the product feed. (Content API)

I've contacted Shopify support and the app developer but they don't have a solution.

So now I'm looking for a pre order app that updates the product page and the product feed as well. I tried searching for an app that has these features but couldn't find any.

Has anyone had this issue before? Is there a pre order app that has this feature? Maybe there is an alternative solution.

[Kalen_Jordan]

Maybe timesact will support this - not sure off hand though - https://apps.shopify.com/timesact-discount-pre-order - cool preorder app I've come across recently.

[FoDB]

Thank you. I have contacted Timesact support but unfortunately the solution I need is not possible. I quote:

"The way pre-order apps work in Shopify is to switch on the Continue Selling When Out of Stock option in Shopify's back end and manipulate the button and flow in the store to a Pre-Order flow. However, Google Merchant Centre looks only in the backend and sees it as in stock because the Continue Selling has been turned on."

[Kalen_Jordan]

Ah bummer. Surprised there isn't a more straightforward way to do this. @EmmanuelFlossie had a good suggestion below though.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

If you can find an app that keeps the data in a metafield, then the below data feed app can pull this info and set it for the availability status: https://apps.shopify.com/multiple-google-shopping-feeds

I know it's not the solution for the pre order app itself, but at least it's the solution for accurately submitting data to Google Merchant Center.

Also don't forget to update / ensure the structured data shows the same info.

[Kalen_Jordan]

Nice. Weird there's not a more native solution. I saw this mentioned in shopify's main google shopping feed post:

 

[Kalen_Jordan]

Looks like there's also a rules engine on the google shopping side? Do you know if it's possible to use this to set the status to preorder?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

I think it is, from reading some posts long time ago, but I would not know how or what to do.

[FoDB]

You can manually change the availability status in the Google Merchant Centre account but we have hundreds of products in pre order status, so that's not a solution for us.

[Kalen_Jordan]

No, this wouldn't be a manual thing. The Google Merchant Center Feed Rules are automatic: https://shoppingsolutions.withgoogle.com/expertise/merchant-center-create/#:~:text=Google%20Merchant....

[FoDB]

Thank you. I will check this this app.