Google Shopping XML Feed Guide

Detailed guide for preparing XML product feeds compatible with Google Shopping

This guide explains how to prepare an XML product feed that is compatible with Google Shopping. Follow the steps below for the correct structure of your product feed.

1. Root Element <rss>

The XML feed starts with the root RSS element and Google Shopping namespace:

<rss version="2.0" xmlns:g="http://base.google.com/ns/1.0">
  <channel> ... </channel>
</rss>

2. Channel Metadata <channel>

Within the <channel> element, define basic information about your store:

<channel>
  <title>your store name</title>
  <link>https://www.example.com</link>
  <description>short feed description</description>
</channel>

<title>your store name

<link>link to homepage

<description>short feed description

3. Required Product Fields

Each product in the feed must contain the following required fields:

<item>
  <g:id>123</g:id>
  <g:mpn>7002011</g:mpn>
  <g:title>Primer izdelka</g:title>
  <g:description>Visoka kvaliteta</g:description>
  <link>https://www.example.com/izdelek/123</link>
  <g:image_link>https://www.example.com/slike/izdelek.jpg</g:image_link>
  <g:availability>in stock</g:availability>
  <g:price>19.99</g:price>
  <g:brand>Primer znamke</g:brand>
</item>

<g:id>unique product ID

<g:mpn>manufacturer number (EAN)

<g:title>product title

<g:description>product description

<link>link to product page

<g:image_link>main product image

<g:availability>stock (e.g., 3)

<g:price>price (e.g., 19.99)

<g:brand>product brand

4. Optional Fields

For better results and more information, you can also add the following fields:

<g:shipping>shipping cost

<g:product_highlight>short description (displayed below the title)

<g:sale_price>sale price

<g:canonical_link>canonical product link

<g:additional_image_link>additional product images

<g:product_type>custom category hierarchy

<g:product_detail>additional product attributes (size, color, form)

5. Complete Product Example

Below is a complete product example with all required and some optional fields:

<item>
  <g:id>31142</g:id>
  <g:title>Primer izdelka</g:title>
  <g:product_highlight>To je primer kratkega opisa.</g:product_highlight>
  <g:description>To je primer opisa izdelka.</g:description>
  <link>https://www.example.com/izdelek/31142</link>
  <g:image_link>https://www.example.com/slike/izdelek-glavna.jpg</g:image_link>
  <g:availability>in stock</g:availability>
  <g:price>49.99</g:price>
  <g:sale_price>39.99</g:sale_price>
  <g:shipping>2.99</g:shipping>
  <g:brand>Primer znamke</g:brand>
  <g:mpn>EX-MPN-001</g:mpn>
  <g:additional_image_link>https://www.example.com/slike/izdelek-stran.jpg</g:additional_image_link>
  <g:product_type>Prehranska dopolnila > Vitamini</g:product_type>
  <g:product_detail>
    <g:attribute_name>Oblika</g:attribute_name>
    <g:attribute_value>Kapsule</g:attribute_value>
  </g:product_detail>
  <g:product_detail>
    <g:attribute_name>Velikost</g:attribute_name>
    <g:attribute_value>100 kapsul</g:attribute_value>
  </g:product_detail>
</item>

6. Best Practices

✓

Freshness

Update the feed regularly (at least once daily) for accurate prices and stock.

✓

Quality Images

Use high-resolution images (at least 800x800px) without watermarks.

✓

Clear Titles

Titles should be descriptive and include the brand, product name and key features.

✓

Detailed Descriptions

Descriptions should include important product information (ingredients, usage, packaging).

7. Additional Resources

For detailed specifications and latest requirements, visit:

Google Merchant Center – Product Data Specification ↗

Need Help?

If you need help preparing an XML feed or have questions about integration, contact us at info@zdravaizbira.si.