How can I link the products in my Shopify storefront to an existing Google Ad campaign?
Great question Megon. So what you can do is use a free app such as the google and youtube app, and publish your products to Google Merchant Center.
https://apps.shopify.com/google
However, I prefer to use the following app for my clients, as it has a lot of options: https://apps.shopify.com/multiple-google-shopping-feeds
Then link your Google Merchant Center account to Google Ads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5vvLM82oww
And now you can create a standard shopping campaign or performance max campaign.
However, before you start connecting your feed, to avoid getting suspended follow the guides and policies below:
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-video/318699100
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/304792695
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6363310/follow-the-merchant-center-guidelines
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13693865
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6149970
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/9158778
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150244
https://support.google.com/google-ads/community-guide/241068758
Hi Emmanuel, thanks so much for the response!
I currently have a feed set up and linked to my campaign, I just wanted to know if you would recommend using a manual feed as opposed to the Google & Youtube app?
I would never use a manual feed, because the down side is that you have to manually always update the price and availability. And most likely you will forget to update this. That means when it’s not correct for even 1 day, Google will flag your account, and if it happens to much or for too long a period, you get a pre-emptive warning and if you don’t fix it in 28 days, you get suspended. Repeat offense will also trigger a suspension.
So no, don’t use a manual feed.
However, what I do, is use manual feeds to overwrite the primary feed, this is only to enhance the basic feed that was already added. But this does not include the price and availability, but other data to increase product ranking.
Thanks for the advice - I took the account over from an ads agency in November, and that is how they did it.
Can you please elaborate on the below?
“However, what I do, is use manual feeds to overwrite the primary feed, this is only to enhance the basic feed that was already added. But this does not include the price and availability, but other data to increase product ranking.”
In Google Merchant Center there are primary feeds, and supplemental feeds.
My comment you quoted are supplemental feeds, these are there to allow merchants to enhanced product data. Let’s call it an overwrite.
There are multiple ways to overwrite data, have a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9neaNemcws
So should I rather change the feed at the bottom (“New Products”) to a supplemental source?
No, you should not.
First you need to setup a feed using the google and youtube app.
Or for more control and features use the multifeed app
My Google & Youtube app is linked to my Google Merchant Center account, as well as my Ads, Analytics, and Business account - how do I then make that the primary feed?
You may need to disconnect / connect. If it doesnt work, contact support here: https://support.google.com/merchants/contact/shopify_3p_support_app