Google Shopping Not Showing Products? Here's What to Do

Why Aren't My Products Appearing on Google Shopping?

When your products are absent from Google Shopping, it's often due to issues with your free listings setup in Google Merchant Center. Start by ensuring your data feed is accurate and hasn't been altered in a way that violates Google's policies or disrupts the submission format. If your setup is correct and compliant, the issue might be competitive—your products may not be ranking high enough in relevant searches.

The 10 Most Common Reasons Your Products Aren't Showing on Google Shopping

Here are the frequent errors we encounter when eCommerce stores face issues with their products not appearing on Google Shopping:

1. Website Not Verified or Claimed

A frequent oversight is failing to verify or claim your website in Google Merchant Center. This step is essential for your products to be visible on Google Shopping. To resolve this, navigate to “Business information” in Merchant Center and ensure your domain is both verified and claimed.

If you haven't completed this process yet, you might find a guide on how to list on Google Shopping helpful.

2. Improper Product Feed Formatting

Mistakes in your product feed can stop your listings from appearing. Typical problems include vague titles, descriptions, or images that fail to meet Google’s standards. Address these by crafting keyword-rich titles and descriptions, using high-quality images without watermarks, and ensuring your prices and availability align with your website.

For more guidance, explore these Google product feed examples:

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<rss version="2.0" xmlns:g="http://base.google.com/ns/1.0">
  <channel>
    <title>Outdoor Journey Store</title>
    <link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com</link>
    <description>Gear and apparel for camping, hiking, and backpacking</description>

    <item>
      <g:id>TL-1001</g:id>
      <g:structured_title>
        <g:digital_source_type>trained_algorithmic_media</g:digital_source_type>
        <g:content>"Rest Under the Stars: AI-Enhanced TranquilLight Sleeping Bag (Regular)"</g:content>
      </g:structured_title>
      <g:structured_description>
        <g:digital_source_type>trained_algorithmic_media</g:digital_source_type>
        <g:content>"Stay warm on cool nights with the AI-Enhanced TranquilLight Sleeping Bag. Designed to retain heat while remaining breathable, it ensures restful sleep for backpackers and car campers alike."</g:content>
      </g:structured_description>
      <g:link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/tranquillight-sleeping-bag</g:link>
      <g:image_link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/images/tranquillight_sleeping_bag.jpg</g:image_link>
      <g:availability>in_stock</g:availability>
      <g:price>99.99 USD</g:price>
      <g:brand>TranquilLight</g:brand>
      <g:color>Red/Grey</g:color>
      <g:condition>new</g:condition>
      <g:shipping>
        <g:country>US</g:country>
        <g:service>Standard</g:service>
        <g:price>7.50 USD</g:price>
        <g:min_transit_time>3</g:min_transit_time>
        <g:max_transit_time>5</g:max_transit_time>
      </g:shipping>
      <g:shipping_weight>2.0 lb</g:shipping_weight>
    </item>

    <item>
      <g:id>RR-2002</g:id>
      <g:title>RangeRider Hiking Boots</g:title>
      <g:description>Durable boots designed for traction and stability on rugged trails. Leather and mesh construction to keep feet protected and comfortable through any terrain.</g:description>
      <g:link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/rangerider-hiking-boots</g:link>
      <g:image_link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/images/rangerider_hiking_boots.jpg</g:image_link>
      <g:availability>in_stock</g:availability>
      <g:price>129.95 USD</g:price>
      <g:brand>RangeRider</g:brand>
      <g:color>Brown</g:color>
      <g:size>10</g:size>
      <g:gender>male</g:gender>
      <g:condition>new</g:condition>
      <g:shipping_label>OvernightEligible</g:shipping_label>
      <g:custom_label_0>Backpacking</g:custom_label_0>
    </item>

    <item>
      <g:id>AF-3003</g:id>
      <g:title>AquaFlow Hydration Pack</g:title>
      <g:description>Lightweight 2-liter hydration backpack with breathable shoulder straps. Perfect for trail running, mountain biking, or day hikes.</g:description>
      <g:link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/aquaflow-hydration-pack</g:link>
      <g:image_link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/images/aquaflow_hydration_pack.jpg</g:image_link>
      <g:availability>in_stock</g:availability>
      <g:price>45.00 USD</g:price>
      <g:brand>AquaFlow</g:brand>
      <g:color>Blue</g:color>
      <g:condition>new</g:condition>
      <g:product_detail>
        <g:section_name>Reservoir</g:section_name>
        <g:attribute_name>Capacity</g:attribute_name>
        <g:attribute_value>2 liters</g:attribute_value>
      </g:product_detail>
      <g:product_detail>
        <g:section_name>Material</g:section_name>
        <g:attribute_name>Fabric</g:attribute_name>
        <g:attribute_value>Ripstop nylon</g:attribute_value>
      </g:product_detail>
    </item>

    <item>
      <g:id>SM-4004</g:id>
      <g:title>SummitMaster Cookware Set</g:title>
      <g:description>Compact cookware kit with a non-stick pot, pan, kettle, and foldable utensils. Stacks together for easy packing, ensuring a quick meal after a long day on the trail.</g:description>
      <g:link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/summitmaster-cookware</g:link>
      <g:image_link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/images/summitmaster_cookware.jpg</g:image_link>
      <g:availability>in_stock</g:availability>
      <g:price>39.99 USD</g:price>
      <g:brand>SummitMaster</g:brand>
      <g:color>Grey</g:color>
      <g:condition>new</g:condition>
      <g:cost_of_goods_sold>22.00 USD</g:cost_of_goods_sold>
    </item>

    <item>
      <g:id>CE-5005</g:id>
      <g:title>CampEasy Folding Chair</g:title>
      <g:description>Sturdy, portable folding chair with a built-in cup holder and carrying strap. Ideal for relaxing around the campsite or cheering at outdoor events.</g:description>
      <g:link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/campeasy-folding-chair</g:link>
      <g:image_link>https://www.adventuregearpro.com/images/campeasy_folding_chair.jpg</g:image_link>
      <g:availability>in_stock</g:availability>
      <g:price>24.50 USD</g:price>
      <g:brand>CampEasy</g:brand>
      <g:color>Green</g:color>
      <g:condition>new</g:condition>
      <g:product_highlight>Lightweight frame built for quick setup</g:product_highlight>
      <g:product_highlight>Durable fabric supports up to 300 lbs</g:product_highlight>
    </item>

  </channel>
</rss>

3. Policy Violations

Products may be disapproved due to policy violations, such as misleading availability or restricted items. To identify any flagged items, go to “Products” > “Diagnostics” in Merchant Center. Resolve issues like out-of-stock products, restricted goods, or incomplete business information to comply with Google's policies.

4. Free Listings Not Activated

Many sellers miss out on potential visibility by not enabling free listings. To correct this, go to “Free listings” in Merchant Center and ensure there is a green checkmark indicating that your products can be shown organically.

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5. Incorrect Target Countries and Languages

Incorrectly setting target countries or languages can restrict your product's reach. Make sure your listings are configured for the correct target country and language, and adjust your shipping settings as necessary.

6. Inadequate Product Title and Description Optimization

Even if your products are visible, they may not rank well due to poor optimization. Enhance your product titles and descriptions with relevant keywords, following Google’s guidelines to improve your ranking.

7. Low-Quality Images

Low-quality images can negatively impact click-through rates. To improve visibility and attract more clicks, ensure your product images are clear, professional, and adhere to Google's standards.

For detailed image requirements, refer to Google's guidelines for free listings:

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• Non-apparel product images: At least 100 x 100 pixels
• Apparel product images: At least 250 x 250 pixels
• Images should not exceed 64 megapixels
• Image files should not be larger than 16 MB
• Use a white or transparent background

8. Slow Website Speed and Poor User Experience

A slow-loading website or poor mobile optimization can hurt your listing rank. Enhance your website speed and user experience to improve your product visibility on Google Shopping.

Remember, both paid and free listings make you eligible to list, but they don't guarantee placement. If your SEO isn't competitive, Google may favor other listings over yours.

9. Infrequent Monitoring of Merchant Center

Neglecting to regularly check Google Merchant Center can result in unresolved issues. Stay proactive by monitoring alerts and data feed issues, addressing them promptly to maintain your product presence.

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10. Misinterpretation of Organic Shopping Traffic

Misunderstanding your traffic data can lead to incorrect conclusions about your product visibility. Use Google Analytics to access your acquisition reports and look for “Organic Shopping” or “google/cpc” to accurately assess your listings' performance.

11. Outdated Product Feed

An outdated product feed can lead to disapproved items or lower rankings. Regularly update your feed so Google has the most current product information, especially for price changes, stock levels, and any new products you’ve added. Keeping your feed fresh ensures your listings are accurate and competitive.

12. Lack of Structured Data Markup

Not using structured data markup can hinder Google's ability to accurately display your product information. Ensure your website uses structured data (schema.org) for products. This helps Google parse detailed product info directly from your site, improving data quality and aligning your on-site information with your feed.

13. Not Utilizing Merchant Promotions

Missing out on Merchant Promotions can mean lost opportunities to attract customers. If you run sales or promotions, set up Merchant Promotions in Google Merchant Center to highlight special offers like discount codes or free shipping in your listings. This can make your products stand out and potentially increase click-through rates.

14. Not Segmenting Products with Custom Labels

Failing to use custom labels can make it harder to optimize and report on product performance. Custom labels allow you to group products based on criteria like season, profit margin, or clearance items. This makes it easier to analyze performance and adjust strategies for different product groups.

15. Poorly Optimized Landing Pages

Landing pages that are not relevant, fast-loading, or mobile-friendly can negatively impact user experience. Ensure your landing pages are optimized to provide a better user experience, which can indirectly boost your free listings by keeping visitors on your site longer and signaling to Google that your product pages are high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about Google Shopping not showing products:

How long does it take for products to appear on Google Shopping after I upload my feed?

Products typically start showing within a few days, but this can vary based on Google’s review process and the accuracy of your data feed.

Can I see performance data for free listings in Google Merchant Center?

Yes. In Merchant Center, go to “Performance” > “Dashboard”, and select “Shopping listings” to see impressions and clicks for free listings.

Why are some products showing while others are missing?

This often occurs if only certain products pass Google’s compliance checks. Check each product for data quality, policy adherence, and image or pricing issues.

Do I need to pay for Google Shopping listings?

Not necessarily. You can list products on Google Shopping for free via free listings. However, you can also run paid Shopping campaigns to further increase visibility.

Is there a limit to how many products I can list on Google Shopping?

There is no specific limit, but each product must comply with Google’s Merchant Center policies. The higher the data quality, the better your listings will perform.

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