The most common types of product variations are supported by detailed product attributes for:
- color
[color], - size,
[size], - pattern
[pattern], - material
[material], - age group
[age_group], - gender
[gender], - size type
[size_type] - size system
[size_system]
You might not be able to use these attributes to thoroughly describe your variants if you sell build-to-order custom products or products that vary by other qualities. The best practices in this article provide tips for how to submit variants when your products don't fit the detailed product attributes Google provides.
If you aren't familiar with the terms used in this article, learn more about detailed product attributes and variants.
On this page
- Best practices for submitting products that vary by unsupported variants
- Best practices for submitting custom products
Best practices for submitting products that vary by unsupported variants
- Don't submit multiple iterations of the same product for each compatible third-party product. For example windshield wipers that are compatible with a variety of cars or phone cases that are compatible with a variety of phones. Instead list all of the product’s compatibilities in its product description.
- If you're selling different variants of a similar product, where each is considered a different product by design make sure to:
- Specify the difference in the title and description.
- Ensure that each product has a corresponding GTINs or other unique product identifier, which confirms its uniqueness.
Example
You sell auto parts, and each component sold differ based on the model of the car. Since the Products Data Source Specification doesn't have attributes for make and model, you can't submit variants with an item group ID [item_group_id] attribute.
Instead, you should submit each unique product only once in your product data and specify the compatibility information, like the auto part's target make and model, in the description [description] attribute for each product.
Note that a unique product is identified by having its own manufacturer part number [mpn] and a manufacturer-assigned brand [brand] or a valid GTIN [gtin] obtained from the manufacturer.
Learn more About submitting compatible or refurbished third-party products.
Best practices for submitting custom products
- In your product data, submit either the complete configured product or the components for a product.
- If you submit a completely configured product, submit products that are readily available and best-sellers.
- If you submit a component of a product, make sure that the image, description, and price reflect the component you're selling. Learn more about Best practices for advertising customized products.
- If your inventory and prices change frequently throughout the day, you might consider using automatic item updates.
Example
You're a custom jewelry manufacturer, and you allow customers on your website to customize options to create the final product. These combinations are too many to list in the item group ID [item_group_id] attribute in your product data. Instead, you decide to promote only your best selling configurations on Google. In these case, customers will view the price and image of the completely configured product.