Google rolls out Website-reported Autofeeds to simplify local inventory updates

Google has introduced Website-reported Autofeeds, a feature that automates updating local inventory in Google Merchant Center using a Google Tag Manager tag on your website. This removes the need for manually uploading local inventory data when adding in-store stock.

How Website-reported Autofeeds Works

When a customer checks product availability on your site (e.g., by clicking a "Check in-store availability" button), a Google Tag Manager JavaScript tag triggers. This tag collects key inventory data such as Merchant Center ID, Product ID, availability status, store codes, price, country, and language, then sends it to Google. Google matches this data with your Merchant Center listings, updating them in real-time. As a result, customers searching nearby see accurate local inventory, encouraging visits to physical stores.

Requirements

• Your product pages must support browsing in-store availability and pricing.
• Google Tag Manager integration is mandatory for deploying the tag.
• Dedicated IT resources are needed to implement the tag and supply product and inventory data, requiring knowledge of your site's architecture and JavaScript.

Implementation Steps

1. Merchant Center onboarding: Activate local inventory ads or free local listings after adding your stores.
2. Choose product page experience: Opt for product pages with or without store-specific pricing and availability, ensuring landing page and data source compliance.
3. Google Tag Manager setup:
   • Add the Google Inventory Collector tag, entering your Merchant ID and configuring parameters (Target Country, Language, Item ID, Store Code, Price, Availability).
   • Set triggers based on user actions, such as clicking availability check buttons.
   • Validate the tag using Google Tag Manager's Preview mode and publish after verification.

The feature automates local inventory reporting, ensuring accurate and timely product availability data for customers. FAQs address how the tag works, whether it creates local inventory data in Merchant Center, implementation details, and data source requirements.