If your Shopify products aren’t showing up as expected in Google Shopping, incorrect or missing product categorization could be the reason. Adding the correct Google Product Category in Shopify can make a big difference by helping your products get found more easily. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to do it step by step so you can boost your store’s visibility and improve your chances of reaching the right customers.

💎Read more:

• How To Use Google Shopping
• How to Set Up Google Shopping for Your Shopify

What is Google Product Category?

A Google Product Category is a way Google organizes products for sale on its shopping platform. Retailers use it to label their products according to Google’s standards, making it easier for customers to find what they need.

For example, if you are selling dresses, you can categorize them as “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Dresses.” This helps your products appear in relevant search results, making it easier to attract potential buyers.

How important is Google Product Category for your Shopify Store

In my opinion, getting the Google Product Category right is more crucial than many Shopify store owners realize—it directly impacts how easily people can find your products. Now, I’ll explain why this is so important and how it can help solve some common visibility issues you might be facing.

• Improves Product Visibility: By correctly categorizing products, they appear in the right searches on Google Shopping. For example, when I categorized my coffee mugs under “Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Tableware > Drinkware,” they started showing up for shoppers searching specifically for drinkware, resulting in a noticeable increase in traffic.
• Boosts Ad Performance: Google Product Category helps Google Ads target potential customers more accurately. I noticed my campaigns had a higher return on investment (ROI) when I used precise categories, as ads reached people actively searching for similar products.
• Enhances Shopping Experience: Proper categorization helps customers easily find what they need. When I used accurate Google Product Category, my Shopify store had fewer abandoned carts because shoppers could quickly locate the exact items they wanted.
• Increases Conversion Rates: Products appearing in the right searches lead to higher chances of purchases. For instance, after aligning my product categories with Google’s system, I saw a noticeable spike in conversion rates on popular items like handbags and shoes.
• Simplifies Product Approval in Google: Using Google Product Category ensures that your products meet Google’s requirements, reducing the chances of disapproval. Initially, I had issues with rejected products, but once I implemented GPCs, the process became seamless.
• Improves Competitive Edge: Accurate GPCs ensure your products stand out against competitors in relevant search results. For example, my skincare products gained better rankings compared to similar items that weren’t correctly categorized.

How to add a Google Product Category in Shopify

From my experience, setting up Google Product Categories properly in Shopify can feel a bit confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with it. I’m going to explain how to add these categories step by step so you can make sure your products are categorized correctly and show up where they need to be:

Step 1: Access the ‘Products’ Section

Log into your Shopify admin panel and click the ‘Products’ tab in the left-hand menu on your dashboard.

Step 2: Select or Add a Product

Click on the product you want to edit or add a new one. Then, you can proceed to the category-adding stage later on.

Step 3: Choose the Google Product Category

In the Category section, you can:

• Enter your product category and select the most accurate result from the Category list.
• Click through each level of the categories and subcategories to find the most accurate product category.

Make sure to provide the most specific category possible, using the full category breadcrumb.

Step 4: Save Your Changes 

Click Save to apply your changes.

Note: If you are using a CSV file to manage your products, you can also add the Google Product Category by including it in the appropriate column of your CSV file. Ensure that the category matches Google’s values in English or the ID so it can be recognized correctly.

Google product category requirements

For products located in Apparel & Accessories, Media, or Books, Google Product Categories have special requirements that you need to keep in mind. Let’s find out below:

For apparel and accessories product

Products in this category may need some special data before being published. Therefore, click on the links below to see if the information you include is complete and correct:

• Age group
• Gender
• Color
• Size

When adding Google product categories for apparel and accessories, make sure to specify detailed attributes like gender, age group, and size. Categories such as “Clothing & Accessories > Clothing” are needed to ensure your products are properly categorized for searches.

For media product

Media product category, including Music, Movies, or Video games, needs a unique product identifier such as UPC, EAN, or JAN. Learn more about Google’s unique product identifiers to know exactly which product identifier your product matches.

For media items like movies, music, or video games, it’s important to classify them under appropriate categories like “Media > Movies” or “Media > Music & Sound Recordings.” This helps Google place them in the right context, improving visibility to relevant shoppers.

For book product

Books need to be categorized clearly, usually under “Media > Books,” and you should provide extra details like genre and author. This makes it easier for people searching for specific books to find exactly what they need through Google Shopping.

Google product category troubleshooting: Common Issues & Solutions

From my background and the latest trials, getting Google product categories right can be a real headache, especially when errors keep popping up, and there are no clear solutions. Below, I’ll go over some of the most common issues and how to solve them so you can get your products showing up properly without all the hassle.

Incorrect Google Product Category Assignment

This issue occurs when users select a category that doesn’t accurately match their product. For instance, assigning a category like “Clothing” to a pair of running shoes instead of “Clothing & Accessories > Shoes > Athletic Shoes” can mislead Google’s algorithm and reduce product visibility. When adding GPC, users may face difficulties identifying the most specific and relevant category, especially when dealing with niche or multi-use products.

Solution: To resolve this, always refer to Google’s product taxonomy list, which provides clear guidelines. Use the search function within the list to pinpoint the correct category, ensuring your products are accurately classified for better visibility.

Rejected Products in Google Merchant Center

While preparing a new product line for my Shopify store, I forgot to add GPC to several items, leading to rejections in the Google Merchant Center. This often happens when you’re managing a large inventory and overlook key details during product setup. The rejection not only delayed the launch but also impacted my marketing schedule.

Solution: I addressed this by implementing a checklist during product uploads to ensure every required field, including GPC, was filled. I also used Shopify’s Google Channel to identify missing fields quickly and correct them in bulk, significantly reducing errors in the future.

Using Overly Broad Categories

Early on, I categorized my pet products under “Pet Supplies” instead of more specific options like “Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies > Dog Toys.” This generic categorization resulted in my products appearing in less relevant searches, leading to lower click-through rates. This issue commonly occurs when users are unsure about the most suitable category or want to save time.

Solution: After realizing the problem, I researched similar stores and how they categorized their products. Adjusting my categories to be more precise immediately improved my click-through rates and helped my ads reach the right audience.

Syncing Errors Between Shopify and Google Merchant Center

I once encountered a frustrating issue where my updated GPC data wasn’t syncing properly with Google Merchant Center, leaving some products uncategorized. This typically happens when there’s a technical glitch or when the sync process is interrupted.

Solution: I resolved this by manually refreshing the feed in Google Merchant Center and checking for errors. When the issue persisted, I switched to using a dedicated app like Feed for Google Shopping, which provided better syncing options and detailed error reporting, making future troubleshooting easier.

Final words

In a nutshell, this post helps you better understand the Google product category and how to add Google Product Category in Shopify. Therefore, you can find something useful from the information of this article to take advantage of the Google product category effectively, help you complete sales strategies and achieve the goals you want. Follow us by clicking on the related posts below for more great tips to make your business more successful.

⭐See more: How to add product categories in Shopify

FAQs

What should I put for the Google product category?

You should choose the most specific category that matches your product. For example, instead of selecting a broad category like “Clothing,” choose something more detailed like “Clothing > Women’s Clothing > Dresses.” This helps your product appear in relevant searches on Google Shopping.

How to choose a product category in Shopify?

To choose a product category in Shopify, go to the product page, scroll to the Category section, and either search for the category by typing keywords or browse through the available options. Always choose the most specific category that fits your product.

How do you check a Google product category?

You can check your Google Product Category by reviewing the category you selected for your product in the Category section of your Shopify product page. Ensure that it’s the correct and most specific category for your product. You can also use Google’s Product Taxonomy list to cross-check your category.