Google Shopping is updating their feed specifications as part of the rollout of the new Google Shopping based on product listing ads. The changes will affect accounts in the U.S., as well as globally.
The biggest change is for Google Shopping accounts that are currently exempt from using unique product identifiers, often used for things such as custom goods, vintage items, and collectibles. Those accounts will no longer be exempt from using unique product identifiers, but will now use an “identifier exists” attribute. More details on all the Google Shopping attributes can be found here.
Another change that will have the biggest positive impact to shoppers is Google’s recommendation of using high resolution product photos of at least 800 x 800 px. Shoppers love the ability of having larger product images they can zoom in on products. This change is only a recommendation, not a requirement, so those merchants with sub-optimal images don’t need to worry, although for increased revenue it makes sense to make better imagery available.
Lastly, for those sellers with a mix of non-family safe items on a family safe site, you can now tag those items individually as non-family safe.
The full list of changes can be found here.
Not all of the changes will be made available immediately, but Google wants to give merchants enough time to adapt to the changes prior to them being officially released.
The change from those exempt from requiring product identifiers will take place on July 15 in the U.S. and September 16 globally, while enforcement for other accounts will begin July 15 in U.S., France, Germany and the UK, and globally September 16.
You can view the new feed specifications and the summary of attribute requirements for more details for Google Shopping merchants.