google shopping data feed updates

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Google claims they are going to check on stores and make sure the feed agrees with the actual page. By using a variant specific image for the feed, it is not going to match the actual page's main image. I'm not sure how to deal with that. Take for instance
shirt_blue_tie
shirt_blue_notie
shirt_red_tie
shirt_red_notie
When someone selects the option for tie, what do they see on the product page for the image, the main image? Or do they see a shirt with a tie. Which color do they see, blue or red. Then if they select the option for red, does the image change so they see a red shirt with a tie?

This is not like clicking the thumbnail additional images below the main image and seeing a new view. This is a whole different product based on two or more option selections. Some products could easily be 3 different attribute-option selections to make up the unique variant. So you can't just use the regular option pictures because that only deals with that option list, e.g. color. Next to blue, red, etc you can have a corresponding shirt or swatch for that color. But it would not include the tie or no tie option.

Looking for Miva folks to express their ideas on this.

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

I would think people already using the attribute machine to handle images have this info available in the custom field. No different than any other custom field if I'm correct?

Do you have an example of a product that is inventory variant based on 2 options combined, eg color and size, where the main image swaps out based on which two options are selected?

[alphabet]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

The product variants have unique product ID's that are created by conconcatating the attribute names.

Google says "Don’t submit the master item as a separate listing, only all "child" or variant items. Please remember that the image included in the 'image link' attribute has to display the particular variant of the product. If you don’t have an image of the particular variant, you may not submit the item as a variant product."

So I suppose they will be quality checking the link and image_link for each variant.

[Datagg]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

One thought that immediately comes to mind is the Images.... Damn, as we all know one of my stores we sell Lingerie and our manufactures don't even supply 10 images, or alternates of the products.... Lets alone variants of each one.... Google is going waaaaaaay over board with this. We have well over 2,000 items on Girlfriends Lingerie, how in gods name does Google think we can pull 10 images of each product out, let alone variants of every combination? This is just totally Ridiculous on every level!!

With that being said, I have no doubt that our modern day "Batman" aka Bill, will find a solution and make this a much easier transition for us all.... The Images is what concerns me, they just are not available in that quantity, unless you make them & all there variants.. and that is an outlook that just makes me sick.

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

And certain products, e.g. apparel, must be submitted as variants or they must be removed from your feed. I already have the separate line item for each variant working fine. I have a couple minor issues that will be easy to implement. But I have two major issues which have not been solved: 1) image source for the variants, 2) stock level status with Google's specific wording. I'm working on the images first, but need real world input from store owners (especially with apparel products) and thoughts from Miva (Rick).

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

One thought that immediately comes to mind is the Images.... Damn, as we all know one of my stores we sell Lingerie and our manufactures don't even supply 10 images, or alternates of the products.... Lets alone variants of each one.... Google is going waaaaaaay over board with this. We have over 2,000 items on Girlfriends Lingerie, how in gods name does Google think we can pull 10 images of each product out? This is just totally ridiculous!!

I think it behooves you (along with Miva folks) to contact Google and tell them how insane this is.

[Mark Hood]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Do you have an example of a product that is inventory variant based on 2 options combined, eg color and size, where the main image swaps out based on which two options are selected?

http://www.vermontgear.com/test.html

There is an image uploaded to every variant assigning the same image type which also means the main image in the same custom field. There is no image uploaded to the main product in this case.

[Datagg]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

I think it behooves you (along with Miva folks) to contact Google and tell them how insane this is.

I agree Bill 110%. Yet im just one small little obscure pebble to these tyrants... who im sure could care less what I have to say. What we need is numbers, a petition perhaps..something big for them to chew on and see just how freaking Ludicrous this is.

[Mark Hood]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

I think it behooves you (along with Miva folks) to contact Google and tell them how insane this is.

I will try this. However they are probably having a party right now.

[Datagg]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Lets also not forget, not all of us use the variant option to dynamically change a image... Our alternate images are called just to show a couple of alternate views of the main product... To conceive that an image to show the dynamic view of a variant as it is selected is insane as not even our manufactures supply those type of breakdowns in images... This all giving me a freaking headache..

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Mark,

Please list the steps you took to get the images in the databases. For example, did you create an image type? Code and description? Where did you upload it? Are you saying "custom field" or "additional images"? I need a step by step to see if I can duplicate it and retrieve the value. The solution has to work for all stores that are creating Google feeds. That means the location of the image url has to be in the same field name/code for every variant.

Does this work for MMUI stores or do they have to use CSSUI? Unfortunately, none of this is going to work for a 4x store so they will be out of luck with Google feeds if their products are apparel and whatever else Google deems "required".

[Datagg]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

I will try this. However they are probably having a party right now.

I would like to meet the person who decided to initiate this at the water cooler one day..... Oh, no no... not for violence purposes, just a good sit down and a conversation on the definition of "insanity"...!!!

[Mark Hood]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

The example is an MMUI store but CSSUI would not be different as far as I know because both put the path to an image in a custom field as long as you use image types.

So like I said there are no images at the main product level.

Step one is to create an image type which in my case (Code A) which creates a hidden custom product field.

Add attributes and auto generate the inventory variants

On the additional images tab of every variant you have to upload an image and the trick is to assign code A to everyone of the images. There are several different ways to do actually get the image.

One is click every individual product and go to the additional images tab.
Two it can be done by clicking products and using the batch image tab.
Three it can be done by putting the full size image path into a product import (once someone visits the page and selects the option it will then create the different image sizes and new files)

If you also sell a product without sizing and wish to use the additional images at the main product level assigning image code_a to one of them put the graphic path in the same custom field for code_a This is why if an if else statement was available it could be compatible with old and new products.

[wcw]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Stuck on step one. "Step one is to create an image type which in my case (Code A) which creates a hidden custom product field."

Where exactly do I create the image type?
Why code = A Is that A in the input for code. Or is it code_a for the input in the code field? How does the image machine know to use this code for the product image instead of some other code, eg B?

[alphabet]

Re: google shopping data feed updates

Edit Product > Additional Images Tab > Add Type