Google Merchant Center Content API

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SHOPLINE TW Copywriters

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With the Content API connection, you can automatically upload your product info into Google Merchant Center, which can be accessed through Google Ads, YouTube LIVE Shopping feature, and other Google services.

⚠️ Before you begin: 

  • [Coming Soon] In response to Google's policy updates, the Content API will be discontinued on 18 August 2026 and replaced by the Merchant API. Please complete the API upgrade as soon as possible to avoid disruptions to product uploads and ad delivery.
  • Please remove the Product Feed before using the Google Content API. The two cannot be used simultaneously.

 

This article will cover the following:

 

1. Install the app

Step 1

In the SHOPLINE Admin, go to [Apps] > [Apps Store] and select Google Merchant Center - Content API. Then, click Install Now. For more instructions, please refer to this article.

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Step 2

Agree to the privacy terms and terms of service and then click Install & authorize.

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Step 3

Upon installation, click the Open App button on the top right.

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You can also go to [Apps] > [My Apps] and click Open App next to the "Google Merchant Center - Content API" section.

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2. Manually connect to Google Merchant Center

i. Make sure you have connected your Google Merchant Center account

If you have not connected your Google Merchant Center account in the Admin > [Settings] > [Basic Settings], click Setup Now and follow the instructions in this article.

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If you have connected your Google Merchant Center account, it will appear as follows.

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ii. Fill in the availability date

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iii . Authorize Content API service account access 

Please follow the 12 steps below to complete the settings:

Step 1

Create an account for Google Cloud Console.

 

Step 2

In the search bar at the top of Google Cloud, type "Content API for Shopping".

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Step 3

Click ENABLE.

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Step 4

Click CREATE CREDENTIALS.

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Step 5

Select "Application data" and click NEXT.

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Step 6

Fill in the "Service account details" and click DONE.

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Step 7

Go to [Enabled APIs & services] > [CREDENTIALS]. Click to enter the service account you created in the previous step.

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Step 8

Copy the email of the service account.

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Step 9

Go to Google Merchant Center, click the 截圖 2024-10-01 上午11.51.29.png icon at the top right, and select "People and access". Add the copied email address and allow the "Admin" access type.

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Step 10

Return to Google Cloud > [Service Accounts] > [KEYS].

Create a new key and select "JSON" as the key type.

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Step 11

You have successfully retrieved the API key.

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Step 12

Go to SHOPLINE Admin and upload the key file you have retrieved in the previous step.

*Notes: 

  • After uploading, wait 10 minutes and check the connection status in Google Merchant Center. If the products are displayed, the Content API has successfully connected.
  • If you modify the store URL or store name, please follow the instructions below to re-activate Content API:
    • Confirm that the store URL and name have been modified successfully.
    • Go to [Apps] > [Apps Store] and click the "Open App" button next to "Google Merchant Center - Content API".
    • Click the file in the "Authorize Content API service account access" section to download the previously uploaded file.
    • Remove and reinstall the "Google Merchant Center - Content API" feature.
    • Complete the relevant settings and reupload the file downloaded above.

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iv. Set up placement area and language

Google Merchant Center will display product ads according to your placement area and language.

Choose the placement area and language. Then, click Add new languages to the list below.

*Notes:

  • If you set Taiwan as the only placement area, your ads and YouTube Shopping products will be visible exclusively to customers in Taiwan through livestreams, videos, and Shorts. To reach customers outside Taiwan, add another placement area. Ensure that your store logistics options support the selected area.
  • If you select "English" as the "Placement Language", please ensure that the "Name", "Summary", and "Description" fields for all products in the store contain corresponding content in English. If not, the products will not be uploaded.

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You can switch on/off the toggle for each area.

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Save the content before leaving the page.

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[Coming Soon] 3. Upgrade to Merchant API

Step 1

Open the "Google Merchant Center - Content API" app and click Sign in with Google.

*Notes:

  • We recommend that the store owner perform the authorization to avoid disruptions caused by changes to a staff member's account status or permissions.
  • Modifying existing Content API settings is not supported until the Merchant API upgrade is complete.

 

Step 2

The system will automatically redirect you to the Google sign-in page. Select the account you want to use.

 

Review the privacy policy and terms of service, and click Continue and Allow.

 

Step 3

Upon authorization, the signed-in account will appear on SHOPLINE Admin. Click Upgrade now to upgrade to Merchant API.

*Note: We recommend using the store owner account to perform the authorization. To change the signed-in account, click Logout.

 

Step 4

Once upgraded, the system will display your Merchant Center ID. You can continue to the next setup. 

 

[Coming Soon] 4. Automatically Create and Connect to Google Merchant Center

i. Create and connect to the Google Merchant Center account

Step 1

Click Sign in with Google.

 

Step 2

Review the details in the pop-up window and click Confirm.

*Note: If your store is already connected to a Google Merchant Center account, clicking "Confirm" will disconnect the existing account and automatically create and connect a new one. This action cannot be undone. Please double-check before proceeding.

 

Step 3

The system will automatically redirect you to the Google sign-in page. Select the account you want to use.

 

Review the privacy policy and terms of service, and click Continue and Allow.

 

Step 4

Once authorized, click Connect now. The system will automatically create a Google Merchant Center account using this account and connect it to SHOPLINE.

 

Step 5

Once authorized and connected, your email address and Merchant Center ID will be displayed in the SHOPLINE Admin.

*Note: Click the "Disconnect" icon to remove the connection. This will stop product syncing and terminate any linked ads.

 

Step 6

Check your inbox and accept the Google Merchant Center invitation to activate the account.

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ii. Merchant API setup

By connecting the Merchant API, product data is automatically updated to Google Merchant Center in real-time.

*Notes:

  • If you choose not to connect the Content API, you must manually update the Product Feed in Google Merchant Center, and the related settings below will not be displayed.
  • If you previously connected the Content API and later switch to "Do not connect Content API", products previously synced via the API will be deleted from Google Merchant Center.

 

iii. Availability Date

Google Merchant Center calculates the expected availability date based on the deferred fulfillment days and displays it in the product delivery information.

 

iv. Ad Placement Area and Language

Google Merchant Center will display product ads according to your placement area and language.

Choose the placement area and language. Then, click Add a language to the list below.

*Notes:

  • If you set Taiwan as the only placement area, your ads, and YouTube Shopping products will be visible exclusively to customers in Taiwan through livestreams, videos, and Shorts. To reach customers outside Taiwan, add another placement area. Ensure that your store logistics options support the selected area.
  • If you select "English" as the "Placement Language" please ensure that the "Name", "Summary", and "Description" fields for all products in the store contain corresponding content in English. If not, the products will not be uploaded.

 

You can switch on/off the toggle for each area.

 

Once completed, click Save.

 

5. Notes

  • The system will only upload products with the following information to Google Merchant Center. Please make sure that the information is available in the placement language.
    • Name
    • Summary
    • Description
    • Image
    • Price
  • [Coming Soon] If you need to reconnect Google Merchant Center after disconnecting, please follow the steps for Automatically Create and Connect to Google Merchant Center.
  • When reconnecting Google Merchant Center, the system needs to re-sync all product information. Please turn off the existing placement language setting and turn it on again.

     

 

 

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