Google Merchant Center Account Setup Made Easy: Launch in Minutes
Google Merchant Center helps businesses reach more customers, increase product visibility, and manage ads more effectively on Google. But to enjoy all these benefits, you need to set up and optimize their accounts for it properly. Here is a guide on everything you should know about creating and managing your Google Merchant Center account.
What is a Google Merchant Account for?
A Google Merchant Center account allows businesses to upload, manage, and optimize their product data, where they are made visible through Google Search, Maps, YouTube, and across their Google properties. The account is cost-free, and one can simply add and update all their products directly into the Merchant Center.
How to Create a Merchant Account?
Merchant account setup is essential for listing your products on Google Shopping, follow this step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Sign in to the Google Merchant Center
Answer the questions provided by Google Merchant Center.
If you sell products online, select “Yes” and enter your website address.
If you own a physical store, select “Yes” accordingly.
Then, click “Continue” to proceed.
Step 2: Provide Business Information
Fill in your business details, including: Business name, and country where you want your products to be displayed.
You can also choose to:
- Receive news and tips about Google Merchant Center via email.
- Participate in surveys and pilot programs.
After completing the details, click “Go to Merchant Center Dashboard.”
Step 3: Introduce Your Business and Products on Google
Fill in the data iteratively for the following areas in this step:
1. Add Business Details: This requires detailed business information such as address and phone number (phone verification needed).
2. Verify & Claim Website: Google wants to know if you own the website. There are 2 ways to do this:
- Add the provided HTML tag to the <head> section of your website’s homepage.
- Upload the provided HTML file to your website.
3. Set Up Shipping: For shipping information, you will need to provide details such as:
- Shipping service name
- Country
- Currency
- Shipping address options
- Estimated delivery time
- Shipping cost
4. Configure Sales Tax: Google will recommend a tax setup based on your business location. You can either allow Google to automatically calculate the sales tax or configure it manually. Additionally, you can specify whether shipping and handling fees should be taxed.
5. Add Products: There are 3 ways to add products:
- Add products one by one: Manually enter product details directly in GMC.
- Add products from a spreadsheet: Use a Google Sheets template to bulk upload product data.
- Add products from a file: Upload a formatted Google Shopping product feed file (e.g., CSV, XML, TXT) for bulk imports.
Now you’re all set to send the application to Google by filling in every required field.
However, if you are using The FeedNexa App to automate feed generation and submission for Google Shopping and Shopify, it does everything smoothly for you with a very minimal number of product errors and real-time updates.
How to Link GMC with Google Ads & Google Shopping
Step 1: Access Linked Accounts
- Sign in to your Google Merchant Center account.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Select Linked accounts.
- Click Link to Google Ads.
Create a Google Ads account under GMC at this step, if you do not have one.
Step 2: Link an Existing Google Ads Account
If you already have a Google Ads account, you can choose from two options:
Option 1: Link Your Own Google Ads Account
- Enter your Google Ads account ID.
- Click Link.
Option 2: Link Another Google Ads Account
- Click Link.
- Enter the Google Ads account ID you want to link.
- Click Send link request.
Once the link request is sent, the owner of the Google Ads account needs to approve it. After approval, both accounts will be successfully linked.
Step 3: Manage Linked Accounts
Once your Google Ads and GMC accounts are linked, you can manage them directly from Google Merchant Center. You have the option to:
- Cancel a link request (if it hasn’t been approved yet).
- Unlink a Google Ads account if you no longer want them connected.
Step 4: Cancel a Link Request
If the link request has not been approved yet, you can cancel it by following these steps:
- Sign in to Google Merchant Center and click the Settings icon.
- Select Linked accounts.
- Click Google Ads.
- Find the Google Ads account in the list.
- In the Action column, select Cancel request.
- Click Continue to confirm.
If your GMC and Google Ads accounts are already linked, you can unlink them at any time.
The steps are similar to canceling a link request, but instead of choosing Cancel request, select Unlink.
Google Merchant Center Account Registration Status
#1 In Initial Review
When the account under Google Merchant Center is new, Google will send it for manual verification, which generally lasts 1 to 3 days. You will receive a notification indicating that your account is under review, and all submitted products will be rejected until approved.
What to Do:
- Monitor any issues or alerts on your account.
- Address errors or warnings (especially red errors) as soon as possible by accessing Google’s support center and following the provided instructions.
- Keep track of your account status. If your account is marked as “Suspended”, review your information carefully and submit an appeal if necessary.
#2 Suspended
Your account may be suspended if it breaches any of Google’s policies. However, in case you believe you did not breach any rule, you may appeal to have your suspension reconsidered.
What to Do:
- Check your account for issues and warnings in the admin panel. If you see a red warning, visit Google’s support center and follow the troubleshooting steps.
- Verify accurate product descriptions, active product/image URLs, and clear business, shipping, and return policies. Avoid misleading ads or unrealistic guarantees.
- Contact Google via email, explain the suspension, provide evidence of compliance, and request clarification. Once updated, submit a reconsideration request in Google Merchant Center.
#3 Approved
Once your account is approved, you can list your products and run ad campaigns on Google Shopping. However, Google may re-evaluate your account within the next 1–2 months. To avoid issues, ensure that all activities on Google Merchant Center comply with platform policies.
What is The Most Common Issue with Google Merchant Center Accounts?
Data quality issues are one of the most common reasons for product disapproval in Google Merchant Center accounts. This includes missing product identifiers such as GTIN or MPN; incorrect prices; incomplete descriptions; and violation of Google’s advertising policies, like prohibited item sales, or selling misleading product information.
Wrap up
Through these “How to create a Google Merchant account” guidelines, Feednexa hopes you can easily set up your Google Merchant Center account to boost your business sales. If you want to master Google Merchant Center and effectively reach potential customers, be sure to check out Feednexa’s other articles.
