Google Product Feed UPI Changes
As you have likely heard, Google is making changes to their Google Product Search (GPS) feeds which will affect many Bonanza merchants. It’s important that you take note of this change as it will soon determine whether or not your items appear in GPS.
As of May 3rd, Google is now requesting unique product identifiers (UPI) for most products uploaded.
What is a UPI? Unique product identifiers (UPI) are product codes or other values associated with an individual product/listing. A UPI is something like a UPC code, MPN (manufacturer part number), or brand. These values are very important for matching users' searches to your products. This means that, unless your products fall into the categories listed in the next paragraph, or you file for an exemption (see below), you will need to specify UPC, Brand, MPN, or ISBN data, as applicable to your item. Again, these attributes need to be included on items by May 3rd.
Categories not currently requiring a UPI: Apparel (including accessories like jewelry), collectibles, vintage, antiques, one-of-a-kind, and custom made goods.
How do I update my items to include UPIs? We have worked to ensure that all applicable categories now include the required Google UPI fields as item traits. For example, if your item is in any subcategory of “Books,” there is now an “ISBN” trait that you can fill out to become UPI compliant. If your item is in a more ambiguous category, like “Everything Else” or “Electronics,” Google is asking that you include two of the three traits between “UPC,” “MPN” (manufacturer part number) and “Brand.” The easiest way to ensure all of your items have the applicable traits is to visit the “Item Traits” page of the batch editor and click the “Edit traits for all filtered items” link, pictured in the screen shot below.
Is this really that important? If you like visitors finding and buying your items, yes. Google Product Search is a big traffic generator, accounting for about half of Google traffic for many of our merchants. Products lacking a UPI (again, with the exceptions previously mentioned) will likely not be shown in Google Product Search.
Even though your item would still show up in Google organic search (i.e. searching on Google.com) and of course the Bonanza site search, you are missing out on a lot of free traffic if you fail to include UPI information. In filling out your UPI information, often the UPC database can help with locating the UPC. Manufacturer websites can often help with the MPN.
My items do not have UPIs. What am I supposed to do? Google Product Search has provided an exemption form to address this exact quandary. The application process is not particularly difficult. Just complete a few questions on a simple form, submit and wait with fingers drumming on desk for a reply. To help you along with the process, we have included step-by-step instructions, below.
1. First check out the new item exemption form.
2. Complete each field on the Exempt form and submit it to Google.
Google product review will respond in 3 business days or less letting you know if your exemption has been approved or not. To find your Account ID just sign-in, visit your 'My Bonanza' page and click on the 'Google' link. You can see where in the two screenshots below.
What if I am denied? If your items do not have UPI’s, then re-apply for another review providing better details on the exemption form. If the exemption is denied because other retailers have included the UPI’s. then search Google Product for the information, use upcdatabase.com to locate the UPI’s or manufacturer websites and catalogs for the MPN.
Do I have to file for an exemption each time I list items? No. Once your product is exempt it is not necessary to apply again. If you start listing other product that the UPI’S are available for, you should include the UPI’s with those listings.
What if I have some items that are exempt and others that are not? Apply for exemption for product that do not have the UPI’s. If you have the UPI for any product, always include it when listing.
That’s everything. If you have questions I strongly encourage you to read more about the changes and Unique Product Identifiers via the two links below. This is a Google requirement that we are working to accommodate so chance are most of your answers can be found....by Googling.
Changes for Google Product Search | Google Merchant Help on UPIs
- Alex
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136 responses to Google Product Feed UPI Changes
First in line
1. If all the info has already been done as attributes do we need to do all the traits as well?
2. I thought the google exemption form had to be submitted by the site?
3. Link to where we find the exemption form please and thank you
Sofyblu2
Attributes are for Google product
item traits are for the Bonanza site search. Completing the Item traits will also complete the appropriate attribute. And that gives you the best of both worlds.
Bonanza site search filtering as well as the Google attributes
Of course, you can always manually add just the attributes to your listings but remember that without Item Traits, the listing cannot be shown to prospective buyers if the searcher is using the Item Traits to Refine a search.
The exemption form can be submitted by the seller. Bonanza has provided the Google account id number on the Google page.. Go to “My Bonanza” home page, Click on Google.
The account id is located there
The exemption form is located here
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
After much searching I found this link for the exemption form.
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
Google sure could use some redesigning of their site.
2 more ?’s please
1. Will going back and doing traits over top of attributes that have been done create a problem?
2. Just for clarification for others, on the exemption form, is that to be submitted for each item or just for our booth?
Something to consider how to deal with..if people can’t find the UPI’s or are just unwilling to to do the work they will most likely re-categorize their items under one of the exempt catagories..can already see collectibles and antiques becoming a “dumping grounds”
sofy
The category isn’t what Google is going to consider. Moving items to collectibles or apparel will not exempt an item from the UPI requirement.
So how do we get items exempted, if the category doesn’t do it, and if, for instance, the item is handmade, but only fits in the furniture category? What if you have dozens and dozens of items that need to be exempt? I think Google is going to be swamped with those forms :/
I just checked the UPC database, but that’s only good if you already have the UPC.
Hi
Handmade custom made items are exempt.
[quote]
From the Google Merchant blog announcement
Starting May 3, we will require unique identifiers for all products except apparel and one-of-a-kind items
From the Google product review team:
custom made goods and do not have unique product identifiers, so, there is no need to provide unique product identifiers.
[/end quote]
Thanks Judy/Blue
My pleasure
Question-why am I being asked for MPN and UPC for vintage and antique toys in this category?
Toys & Hobbies >> Vintage & Antique Toys
I just submitted for exemption on my comic books. If they deny me I will just delete them.
moving this down..sorry comment above won’t let me delete
1. Will going back and doing traits over top of attributes that have been, done create a problem?
2. Just for clarification for others, on the exemption form, is that to be submitted for EACH item or just for our booth?
timespan, the traits are probably for the parent cat. Toy & Hobbies, and just filter down to all the children cats.
Question 1:[deleted] – saw the answer above
I tried to search for a 1983 McCall’s pattern that HAS a bar code. I put the whole code in. Google said it does not exist. Tried again – no go. Took off some numbers. Finally one or another group of numbers brought up an inkling of the product [along with total gobbledy-gook] that indicated that a Pattern Number would find me some others. Now I will have the pattern number in the title. Isn’t that enough! That is how the other same items on Google came up – with the pattern number, but would NOT come up with the UPC.
I can assure Google that buyers would rarely look for a UPC for a sewing pattern, whether vintage or new, much less the pattern number. They search by name of style or article they wish to sew or knit. Rarely, they may be an avid collector – then they would search by pattern number which they already know exists and they are looking for it. But UPC? Never! And as I learned, the UPC will bring up a “does not exist”.
Question 2: What part of the UPC goes into the attribute? All, the “0”, the first group of numbers? The last group?
Question 3: How to determine if the product ITEM number [such as the pattern number] OR the UPC is the number to give the allotted slot?
Question 4: Is this number, whichever it is, going into a box, or after a prompt, or do we have to do this ourselves with one of these [[ UPC:123456789 ]] …?
This is all fine and dandy for the seller of new items or the drop shipper, but will be bloomin’ h*ll for the vintage, retro and “I don’t know where it came from” tchotchke seller. Because if a number ever existed, there might be only one guy in the universe who has the original box and he puts it in his listing, and now the rest of us with the same item will be denied …unless we find that one guy’s listing!
If there has been ANY number on an item, I have always put it in the description. Including ISBN. But I learned and proved to myself that if the ISBN is put solely in the provided traits box that comes up on the Bonanza lister, the book will NOT be picked up by Google in Shopping but it will be if the ISBN is in the description – at least that was true in January. Which brings me to…
Question 5: Is it enough to list the UPI, what ever it may be – UPC MPN or ISBN – in the description – i.e.,visible to the naked eye – or must it be in some specific form?
Just out of curiosity, like patterns, how many buyers search for a book by ISBN, or a board game by UPC? If they know the ISBN then they must have a copy of the book in front of them, or they FOUND the ISBN after searching by or reading or hearing about the title and author [or either].
So now the shopper who is IN the brick and mortar store, scans the UPC of an item, goes to Google and checks to see if he can get it cheaper on-line. That’s the whole reason for this!
Hi EclecticStuff
Great questions
1.) Google product shopping uses attributes to filter and organize product listings with their database. Keywords are not what is used. Keywords are great for organic searches and for site search.. So by all means, yes, yes, yes, include the information at least in the description field. But in order for the items to be included in Google product shopping, the product must have the Unique Product Identifiers, (unless the item is exempt from requirement)
Item Traits are what is mapped to the Google product Attributes. So completing the Item traits will get the information to the right attribute and sent to google product.
The Unique product identifiers (UPI) are to organize for price comparison within Google Product Shopping (GPS). The UPI must be included so when a searcher is looking and clicks the “Compare prices” the buyer is shown product that is truly related to what they are looking for. The UPI does not impact any organic search.
2 & 3. Complete the Item Trait field with only what the trait is labeled. i.e. UPC is only for the UPC code. MPN is only for the Manufacturer part number (in your case is the pattern number) etc.
4. The Item Traits have been added to all Bonanza category levels to make it easier. So the category is going to have UPC, MPN, Brand item traits which when completed will map to the attribute in the file sent to GPS. No worries
Vintage, Collectible, Antique, One of a kind, custom handmade items are exempt. Apparel is also exempt from the UPI requirements.
Here is a link that may help with determining the UPC code ..
http://www.softbars.com/barcodes.html
I’ve been working on mine as time permits. One question of clarification, though. Many of us will have an item or two for which we just can’t find the necessary information. Or perhaps, try as we might, we miss the item. If one item is in “violation” of these new rules, does that mean that one item is rejected, or is the entire booth rejected, from GPS?
In the “Pottery and Glass” and “Home and Garden” categories is “Brand” by itself enough?
@abbysattic
From the Google product Merchant blog
[quote]
Products without unique product identifiers may not be listed in Google Product Search, though the feed may not be disapproved.[/end quote]
@bmorganovich
From the Google UPI page
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=160161
At least two of the following three identifiers:
Keeping in mind that collectibles, vintage, antiques, one-of-a-kind, custom/handmade products and apparel which includes jewelry are exempt.
Thanks Judy. Drat…looks like I’ll be guilty of adding to the collectibles dumping ground!! I believe imported faience and pottery pieces belong in pottery and glass, but there are no UPC,EAN,JAN or MPN numbers available. I know they are handpainted but not sure if they’re handmade. I’m thinking sofyblu’s prediction is probably right on the money.
HI there
Moving product to what is considered an exempt category does not remove the UPI requirement. That only compounds the issue
If your items do not have the UPI< then file for exemption.
I redid all my traits the other day and submitted my exemption to Google. Clicked on the first item (books pre 1970) and added a note to include the rest and that I sell antiques & collectibles. Received an email today denying everything because I had some film listed which I forgot about. I deleted it & will try again. Will be interested to see if they find something else or if that was the only thing they found.
1. Will going back and doing traits over top of attributes that have been, done create a problem?
2. Just for clarification for others, on the exemption form, is that to be submitted for EACH item or just for our booth?
Thanks, bluepenny!
You wrote:
At least two of the following three identifiers:
What is an EAN? What is a JAN? What are the exact words for an MPN …number or name?
Why does Pottery require 2 UPI’s?
Abbysantiques says her entire booth items were eliminated because one product was missed. That does not seem to be consistent with Googles assurances or other statements here.
What’s the real skinny? If we make one mistake, do we lose all?
@Bluepennylady – could you explain what you mean? “collectibles, vintage … are exempt” and “Moving product to what is considered an exempt category does not remove the UPI requirement. That only compounds the issue”
If I put a piece of pottery (which was made in the 1930’s and has no identifying number) in the collectibles category, is it exempt from the requirement, or do I need to request an exemption?
The film was listed under electronics which seems to be why they flagged it. It looks as if they flagged the whole booth because of it.
For pre-1970 books, does the exemption form cover the ENTIRE BOOTH without mentioning titles?…
Or, does the form need to include every book title?
I would also like to know the answers to these two
1. Will going back and doing traits over top of attributes that have been done, create a problem?
2. Just for clarification for others, on the exemption form, is that to be submitted for EACH item or just for our booth?
also, vintage, collectible and antique dolls/bears are now in toys and not dolls/bears
will they need an exemption because they do not have these either.. even dolls that are newer are collectible and may not have the identifiers
Pre-1970 books were already exempt from the ISBN requirement. Do we now need to submit a form for that to continue?
What does EAN, JAN
MPN Mean?
Also Item Specifics need a drop down space to fill name brand if it is not on the drop down menu for Brand names on China
Thanks, Cyndi
@Abbysantiques
I will email you directly concerning the email you received.
@sofy
Item Traits will override matching manually entered attributes
So if the UPC, MPN, EAN, JAN was manually added as an attribute, completing the Item Trait will overwrite the manually entered attribute.
How the exemption form is filed depends on what the seller sells. It is not item by item. That would require a single seller to file umpteen exemption forms.
The exemption being applied for is determined by what the seller chooses on the exemption form.
@CrystalBlueAttitude
Books printed prior to 1970 do not require the ISBN and no exemption needs to be filed. Consider completing the year item trait when listing books printed prior to 1970
Vintage, collectible, antiques, custom made/handmade and apparel are all exempt from the UPI requirement.
If the doll/bear is a collectible, consider listing in collectible category
@frstyfrolk
Great idea, will pass that along.
Thanks for information posted so far, but I am still confused.
As I mentioned above, in the category for
Toys & Hobbies >> Vintage & Antique Toys
there are boxes to fill in the traits for MPN and UPC.
Do we ignore the boxes for MPN and UPC if an item is antique or vintage, or do we need to file for an exemption?
WOW I am so lost…. I thought it was going to be eaiser to sell here since the changes… Now I know that coins are collectibles, however I can see all my coins getting lost in such a big category with toys, dolls, books and such. There isn’t even a coupons section for Coins anymore. Talk about getting lost in translation!!!!
Hi
Vintage, collectibles, antiques are exempt from the UPI. you can file for an exemption if you wish to do so. That is fine
BUT be sure that all product in your booth that does not qualify for the UPI exemption has the UPI"s already in place before applying..
When google review comes in to check your items, they are not going to give an exemption when they are looking at items that need and have the UPI along with items that are going to be exempt.
Thanks Judy, for all the info.
Here’s one example for exemption denial..everything was kosher exect for McIntosh amplifier.. I made sure to put that in my exempt form including that Mac has never issued upcs. Someone somehow has upcs listed on Amazon for other amps. Just called The Mac company..they have no idea how the upc or ean numbers are being derived. She has sent me a statement from the company to include to google that they do not use upcs/ean’s.
Link does not work – do you have another? You cited it above and it says [above] have to use TWO of the UPI’s:
“Google Merchant Center › Help articles › Page not available”
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?answer=160161
At least two of the following three identifiers:
I thought this was a marvelous site to explain UPC EAN JAN
A plethora of links, too. Last updated 6/2010 but seems to be fully active – even a list of which country’s code is in the bar code:
Bar Code 1®
A Web Of Information About Bar Code
UPC and EAN Bar Code Page
http://www.adams1.com/upccode.html
@electicstuff
Yes you must use at least two of the three identifiers
UPC, EAN or JAN is considered one
Brand
MPN
Are two other UPI
So for a particular item the UPI’s could be
Brand + UPC
or
Brand + EAN
or
MPN + UPC
or
MPN+ JAN
JUST found out that there is now a sub cat for dolls and bears in collectibles
let me ask about this
>>>>Item Traits will override matching manually entered attributes<<<<<
can we still override product type with a manual attribute… I realize it is not a trait.. but just wanting to know if we can still do that since all the changes
The seller can still enter in their own product_type attribute if they so choose.
????
good to know
Judy, what about items sold as “lots?” Should we ask for an exemption or can we use more than one UPI attribute. Example: In a 3 book lot, have 3 isbns as attributes?
Oh, boy. I’m rather lost, too. I am the manufacturer for things that are handmade in my other booth. I do wholesale as well as retail. As far as some sort of MPN, I just have them listed on my spreadsheets with an alpha-numeric code. Those codes aren’t registered with anyone, per se. Just my own way of keeping track of what and where. If I create a new, original pattern and produce the product for sale, what do I do with those things? I’m also registered as a Publishing Company for all my eBooks/ePatterns.
So, that said, where does that leave my rather segmented business? Do I need to do exemptions on all of the above types of items? If so, EGADS … that will be a chore.
I understand that I’ll need all that UPI stuff for many of my items and will start wading through that this weekend. I put in ISBNs on all my non-self-produced books, so that’s not a problem. Need to go over your screen shots again more thoroughly.
This is actually very interesting and I’m quite glad Google is wanting to get the real product to searchers/buyers. They’ve needed to cull out a lot in there.
And thanks, Bonanza, for your support and for making this do-able. I agree with Abbysantiques … Google really needs to work on their site’s navigation.
HI MKDesigner
Custom made/handmade, One-of-a-kind items are exempt from the UPI requirement.
The exemption is not filed for each individual product, it is filed more by product line or group.. If you are going to file an exemption remember— Products that have identifiers available should have the identifiers applied prior to submitting the exemption form.
My exemption was denied in my mixed bag of stuff in my booth. Quote "Thank you for your email requesting an exemption for unique product identifiers. We’ve reviewed your request and understand that a lot of the items you sell are vintage and pre-1970.
However, upon deeper analysis, we noticed that some of your items that are flagged, require unique identifiers. For example, ’McCall’s Crafts pattern 7980 Sewing Sisters uncut’, found at: http://www.bonanza.com/booths/Cabincrafts/items/McCall_s_Crafts_pattern_7980_Sewing_Sisters_uncut.
Therefore, we were unable to grant you an exemption at this time. Please make sure you include unique product identifiers for all the products whenever they are available. "
This looks to me like nothing will show up if you have one bad thing in your booth.
Has google been purchased by eBay? Seems like a lot of small sellers won’t be able to cope with this. I’ve already deleted stuff from the booth as it wasn’t worth trying to figure it out (ie a set of 8 magazines).
Even if you can figure this out and spend hours trying to comply, the next thing to roll out from Google is everything has to have a shipping specification as of June 6.
I also wonder about the future.. say you had gotten that exemption now.. do they keep checking.. what if you skip putting an identifier by accident.. if you are listing a ton of patterns you could easily miss doing one.. then suddenly are you unexempt again
Just an idea if you have to remove items because you don’t have necessary information. I’m posting them to Craig’s list, and trying my luck over there. I got inspired after reading about some gal who is making $400 a month selling stuff on Craig’s list that she cleans out of foreclosed houses.
why would you remove them cabincrafts… do not do that.. just because they do not show on google shopping they will still show on google orgainic and other search engines… GS is just one piece of the pie and no reason to remove ones that do not show there
this selling crap is getting WAY too complicated for me
I removed and am still removing stuff because it seems to me that since my exemption was denied (see above) none of my stuff will show up in Google Product Search if there are flagged items in there. If anyone knows for sure what the story is, please respond. Google organic and other search engines don’t pick up my booth stuff. And I agree, it is getting more and more complicated all the time, especially for us little guys with just a few things.
reading
@Cabincrafts
@Cabincrafts
The issue is the items in the booth that do have identifiers available were not added prior to filing for exemption..
Add the identifiers to the product that has it.. OR remove (place on reserve) that product until you can add the identifiers..
then reply to the exemption denial notice and request another review.
The shipping attribute has been included in the file for a long time. There is no worries.. If your listings have shipping configured such as calculated, flat rate or free shipping, the shipping attribute is already there. So you are good to go.. no worries.
This change isn’t made to eliminate smaller sellers but rather to level the playing field so small sellers have the opportunity to show up right next to the big boys. No need to delete items. Put them on Reserve as you work on adding the Identifiers.
HI all
It is the seller’s responsibility to remain compliant. Adding identifiers when listing an item is a matter of completing the Item traits. That addresses the UPI requirement.
Just as google content periodically reviews feeds now, they will review exemptions.
The feeds may not be disapproved but the items without UPI’s will not show up in google product.
@CrystalBlueAttitude
I have an inquiry out on how to handle lots of product when it comes to the identifiers.
I will let you know when I get a response back.
Thanks, Bluepennylady,
One of the things I removed was a large crochet hook, used, with no packaging. How would I have identifiers to add to something like this? Nothing available other than a Brand name. I also removed a vintage package of knitting needles which had a brand name and a No. 301 but nothing that resembled what the identifier asked for that I could tell.
Appreciate all your knowledge in this area. Tita
Regarding the feeds “may” not be disapproved issue If “may” is replaced with “will” that would change the landscape.
Cabincrafts, on your pkg. of knitting needles your attributes would be Brand and MPN (301) so you should be good on that one.
@Cabincrafts
The verbiage concerning feeds may not be disapproved is taken from the Google product blog. I think they are reserving the right to disapprove a feed although not all feeds will need to be disapproved. I can easily see instances were a whole feed disapproval for missing identifiers would be appropriate.
And instances were just disallowing the item(s) without unique identifiers is just as appropriate.
Hence that is why I believe they chose the language “may”..
Just supposition.
?????????????
Victorianspice says:
04/16/11 at 06:03:38
this selling crap is getting WAY too complicated for me
i came here from ebay and it seemed to be very easy..now the great minds are messing with this cajun.. but since my wife and i only make most of the stuff we sell maybe i wont have much trouble..
will
Ack, this is so confusing, Id rather hire someone to go through my 1000 items. Just seems like a heck of a lot of work. My items are all over the board, dolls, toys, stuffed animals, blankets, collectibles. ack ack
Change is never pleasant although necessary.
I will have to spend a few hours and a few days going over this if I want to sell more.
It will be time consuming and confusing, and I am sure I will hit the glitches along the way.
Oh well, I will keep referring to this helpful information and maybe it will make sense.
I couldn’t get my items to post to google anyway. Now with all this….I give up!
First off how am i supposed to use that Google form? Where do i find one I can fill out?
Second, google constantly changes their standards for listings. They make things as complex and confusing as possible. They are impossible to deal with and there is no way to communicate with them.
Tell me again how important they are for selling. I have NEVER sold anything because of a google listing.
There is no reason for them to run things as they do. They are just jerky geeks torturing outsiders.
NICE
I just took a look at the Google Merchant forums regarding this situation and I find that they are saying the ONLY categories that are exempt are clothing (for now) and one of a kind. They said nothing about collectibles being exempt.
This is one confusing mess!!!!!
I don’t understand why Bonanza is asking us to deal with filling out this form. According to the Google help page at the merchant center the site is that submits the feeds is the one who responsible for this and as individual we are not allowed to submit the info. Since Bonanza is submitting the feed they are the one who supposed to take care of this. Which may be why so many who are filling it out are being rejected. Sales have been so slow here the last three months may just dump this site anyway. Am selling on other sites but barely anything here, hearing the same from others that I know that sell here also.
Hi
Hi
Google product indicates the marketplace must provide the account id numbers so the seller can submit the exemption form.
[quote]
For the exemption requests, they can get the account IDs from the marketplace to request exemptions [/end quote]
The above quote is from the product review team. The sites do not submit the exempt forms for unique identifiers.
@ihuntjunk
custom made/handmade items are exempt from the unique product identifiers (UPI) requirement.
[quote]
As far as collectibles, vintage and antiques items are concerned these are mostly one-of-a-kind custom made goods and do not have unique product identifiers, so, there is no need to provide unique product identifiers.
[/end quote]
HI all
Compliance here at Bonanza is far easier than some other sites.
Bonanza allows manually adding attributes.
The Item Traits map to attributes. So completing the Item traits will conquer two things
1;) Site filtering
2:) google product UPI
@oakteak
Directly from Google product review
[quote]
As far as collectibles,vintage and antiques items are concerned these are mostly one-of-a-kind custom made goods and do not have unique product identifiers, so, there is no need to provide unique product identifiers. [/end quote]
It says in the post, “These values are very important for matching users’ searches to your products.”
HUMBUG!! This is crazy! I would wager that fewer than 150 people—not percent—actual people—search by such numbers!
They type in the NAME of the product they want: “Nancy Drew Books”; “Air-Soft Equipment”; “Water Filters”; “Camping Gear” … etc. NOT the UPI/MPN or any other ‘alphabet soup’ number!
There are plenty of items in the “vintage” category that were mass-produced—but that was before the days of any such numbers, and any actual stock or manufacturing numbers that may have existed are lost to history, especially if the manufacturer is no longer in busines.
This is just another ploy to complicate people’s lives and yet another push to shove individuals and mom-and-pop businesses out the door, leaving only giant corporations able to earn any money online.
I’ll be taking my old video games and such things to the flea market instead. Up yours, Google!
HI
Google product exempts vintage, antiques, custom made/handmade, and apparel..
Bonanza is not making this easy at all. The other sites that I sell on are taking care of this for their merchants. I have yet to see a link to the form. In the past I have had some good sales here but the last couple of months sales here have been next to nothing. Not so on my other sites, would like to continue selling here but it may not be the effort if we have to deal with this individually. I still do not understand why each seller is expected to submit this information, google merchant help center indicates that the site doing the feed is the one that needs to fill the form out.
HI there
The exemption form can be found here
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
As long as the seller has their account id number, there is no need for the marketplace to file.. it is much better for the seller to be able to communicate directly with the Google product review team than second hand.
Easier for Bonanza. If you read closely on the google marketplace information you will see that any errors or problems need to be addressed by whomever submits the feed information. As I mentioned before the other sites that I sell on are taking care of this for their sellers because they are registered as the ones/site submitting feeds. Since Bonanza does the feeds and we pay them in the form of commissions they should be the ones dealing with this. And from what I have read they should be asking for a site wide exemption for items that are vintage, etc or don’t have numbers. This is not something that each individual seller here should have to deal with. I know you had mentioned classifying items as collectible but you simply can’t dump items into areas that are not revelant, that will get you booted from google. I have yet to see any post that their feed was approved without a problem. This change is clearly geared towards sellers of new items. Books have had this requirement for quite sometime and there are exemptions in place for sites that sell vintage, handmade and antique if they are notified by the site owner, not each individual seller on the site.
Heck, all of this is just driving me batty. I just came back to Bonanzle because of the friendly atmosphere and everything, and now I got to find UPI’s for things I can’t find them for….my suppliers don’t even list UPC, Brand, etc. So what the heck am I gonna do, make ‘em up? But this ain’t my first rodeo…I am selling on ecrater, and addoway, too, and they are asking for the same thing to be done for the products to be submitted to Google. Guess I got to do what I can to comply with their requests, or just sell everything myself from my own webstore at my own domain.
I create my very own unique ID for each of my items, but I don’t think there is a space for me to enter it.
None of my vintage jewelery has any kind of numbers – most of it doesn’t even have any kind of markings.
How do we know which categories do and do not need numbers? Ask for a papal dispensation & see what they do not like? I don’t have anything in those items that they have for me to check off but books, and I have entered all the ISBN’s as I went since I know that’s how I shop for a book.
It’s Google’s change, so everywhere we sell we will have to be compliant. If we sold on Amazon, we would have to have UPC codes for everything we sell.
This is just not explained very well in clear English without acronyms. MPN? WTF?
Well I just checked on ecrater and they say to email them and they will request an exemption if you sell vintage, antiques, etc. This is exactly the way Bonanza should handle this. All of the items that I sell do not have bar codes,etc. So glad that the other sites I sell on are doing this on our behalf.
@pjthedj09
Google product requirement will apply to any seller submitting items to the Product shopping. So yes regardless of where you sell, qualifying products must have the identifiers applied.. It is not a site requirement, it is a Google product requirement.
@richknobsales
vintage and handmade items are exempt. You can file for an exemption here..
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
@yesterdaystreasure
Placing items into the collectible category will not remove the Google product UPI requirement for any particular item, if the product does indeed have identifiers.
The site provides information to the individual seller so the seller can correct the information they provided for their item. The feed review provides each seller with the feed status review so they can make the necessary adjustments to traits or manually entered attributes.
I am resubmitting my request for an exemption after laboring for several days to try to get my items into compliance. Will let you guys know what the result is. I have a feeling that if you have your own webstore, you won’t be picked up by Google product unless you have this information there as well. Without that, I believe you are dead in the selling waters, unless you can manage to get into the regular search which I have previously tried and requires months of effort.
yippee! I submitted my exemption request yesterday (thanks for providing the URL cuz I doubt I’d have been able to find it plus the info on where to find ID, etc) and it’s already been approved. Really appreciate all the info provided in this blog!
@Cabincrafts
You are correct. The requirement is for all sellers that send files to google product. Keep us posted
on the exemption status
@bloomintreasures
That is excellent news! Thank you for letting us know…!
I have some very old dishes that belong in categories like Dinnerware. Some are antique and some very vintage. That category is one that requires UPCs. Well, those didn’t exist at that time, nor can I look one up. These types of items do not belong in the Collectibles type of categories. I know it will generate an error and have no idea how to approach this situation correctly. Where do they belong??
I guess then, that my very old and desirable dishes will not be seen in Google’s Shopping category.
I believe that this is an unforseen consequence that Google just has not thought through very well. Where are their great minds in cases like this?
Unless, of course, Google’s desire is to eliminate all vintage and antique sellers from their shopping venue, and concentrate on sellers of new items, period.
This is a mess from the get-go. How is Google going to sort through millions and millions of exemption files to make determinations? I don’t believe this will be done by individuals, but rather by some bot program, which means that they will be looking for certain key words to accept or deny exemptions.
Another question, if I have some items that do have a UPC and are listed in a Collectibles category, and I ask for an exemption, is it the right thing to add the UPC anyway, in spite of the exemption, or is it better to just leave well enough alone, until they eventually get denied, then take it from there?
Are the exemptions based on one item at a time, or is it based on the entire store? There are people that have thousands of items listed, does that mean that they will have to submit thousands of individual item exemptions? And does this mean that if one of their items is not in compliance, their entire store is deemed not in compliance or just that item.
I see no clarity on these issues, and there doesn’t seem to be any continuity to the answers here, on the Google forums or on other sites. It’s flying by the seat of the pants type of thing, and putting out fires as they happen. Not good solid planning at all.
What’s the “GTIN†they are talking about on that exemption request page? http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
I’m not spotting those letters here in the blog after a quick scroll. Have waded through almost 1/3 of my merchandise in this booth. Spending all of today to try and get the rest done.
Probably a silly question, but if I have the ISBN already in place on some of my items, do I have to do the ‘attribute’ thingy too (like in batch edit) or is that form I fill out when listing going to suffice?
Here is the quote I received from Google today. "Thank you for writing back in and for your efforts in complying with our policies. We’ve re-reviewed your account and are happy to inform you that your exemption has been approved.
However, please ensure your items include valid product type attribute in order for our system to categorize them appropriately. For more information regarding product type values, please visit http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=160081
Additionally, while reviewing your account I noticed that you have included invalid unique product identifiers. Please add valid unique product identifiers, or leave this attribute blank. Otherwise it’s
possible that none of your items will appear in Google search results.
I haven’t had time to investigate what these might be but it looks like I’m not out of the water yet. At this point, I’m about ready to delete everything except for handmade. The effort is certainly far greater than the return.
@oakteak
I am sorry you have not found the answers to your questions. Let’s see if we can clear up the muddy waters
Ronald from Google product stated that they were aware that some “tweaking” might be needed as they move forward with the new implementation. Just as with any new implementation, there are always unexpected rough edges to smooth out.
The exemptions are reviewed by Google product review team members. Just as the product files are periodically reviewed by product review team members. An exempt form submission is usually responded to within 3 business days. And yes initially it will be alot of work for the review team but they are responding to exemption submissions in a very timely manner.
Antique, Vintage, are exempt..So you file the exemption form for the products in the booth that are exempt.. Not each item individually. Google product is not attempting to eliminate vintage or antique sellers. If so, no exemption would be available for that type of product.
If you have applied for an exemption and the exemption is accepted for the product, it is better to refrain from including the identifier unless Google product requests you to do so.
Any products in your booth that do have identifiers must have the identifiers applied prior to filing for the exemption.
The Item Trait field does not have to be completed, If there is no identifier then do not add anything. Apply for exemption for the vintage dishes..
@Cabincrafts
That is good news. The exemption is accepted. Excellent.
Go to Batch Edit > Item Traits. and review the item traits..
If you manually added attributes then check Batch Edit > Search Optimize to locate invalid identifiers.
@MKDesigner
Gtin is Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
UPC< EAN and JAN are examples of the GTIN.
If the ITem Trait ISBN has the ISBN in it, then you are good to go. No need to manually add the isbn attribute.
Judy/blue
Hi Judy,
Re: your page 13 post on http://www.bonanza.com/forums/1/topics/158953?page=13#posts-2239105
“Here is the bottom line, and although we may not like it or think it fair, If the items have identifiers and we do not include them because we do not want to include them whatever the reason, we take the risk that our entire booth may be disapproved.”
I know I can get the exemptions for my hand crafted and self-published items. My patterns & self-made craft supplies definitely qualify. BUT, when I submit that exemption form and they find some of my other items don’t have the required info, are they going to deny my entire booth on ALL items, or just the ones they say don’t meet the criteria??
My other booth, KnitsNMore, definitely qualifies! Everything there is hand made or self published. I’ll be submitting that exemption form later today once I have a chance to go thru the inventory to make sure everything is labeled hand crafted or self published.
Marge
HI Marge
If there are any items in the booth that have identifiers available but those identifiers are not yet applied, and you file an exemption, the exemption will be denied.
That is why I said to be sure that all identifiers have been applied to the items that need them before applying for the exemption
OR move the items to reserve and then only put them back up For sale when the identifiers are applied.
for bluepenny-
Please run this by Ronald
“If you have applied for an exemption and the exemption is accepted for the product, it is better to refrain from including the identifier unless Google product requests you to do so.
Any products in your booth that do have identifiers must have the identifiers applied prior to filing for the exemption."
The above statements from Ronald appear to be the exact ones that are causing much, much confusion. On the one hand, he says to add them, on the other he says to not add them. Could it be any less clear???
In addition, what about Collectibles in general. Some people say that category does not have that requirement, and others say it does. In the Collectibles categories, there are many, many vintage items, and there are also many, many other items which are not. Some have UPCs and others do not. Are Collectibles categories in and of themselves, exempt?
How about the folks who sell pre-owned items with no box and no access to the original UPCs. How is this going to work for them? Google says that if one seller in the whole world comes up with a UPC for that item, the others who do not have access to a UPC for that item will be denied a listing on Google Shopping. And in addition, there are some who have said that in that case the seller’s ENTIRE store will not be listed.
This is a horrible mess, and the more I read about it, the less I know.
I bet I am not alone in this.
We all want to comply, but how can this be done when you are selling older and pre-owned items?
And what about artwork?
Please, Google, write up some rules and regulations in ordinary plain English in a form that makes sense so we can all have the advantage of being able to comply. And make it as comprehensive as possible. Hopefully, you will have several people on staff who also sell used, vintage and antique items and know how this will impact other similar sellers.
This has a tremendous and potentially very negative effect on sellers of mixed products.
Thanks, Judy.
I’ve gone through each individual item, pulled many from the shelves when I didn’t have an identifier in the listing and have double-checked Amazon on printed matter and googled all sorts of things. Everything now has an identifier /isbn / product code, etc, of some sort. So I’m going to send it off and we’ll see what happens.
Will let you know the response.
Marge
HI
Let me see if I can help.
The statement about adding identifiers for product that does have them is in reference to sellers that have mixed items. Some with and some without identifiers.
If product has identifiers, then add those identifiers before applying for exemption.
For the ones that do not and the seller applies for exemption. Once the exemption is accepted don’t go adding stuff to that item.. There are some sellers that are making up identifiers and adding them after the exemption is accepted. They do not want the sellers to do that.. Making I
If the items do not have identifiers such as vintage, antiques, collectibles, then apply for an exemption. It isn’t the category it is the product. Google review literally looks at the booth and product when reviewing the exemption ..
hey Marge
please do!
now I am realy confuse,mainly I sell jewelry put some are vintage ,then i have handmade,etc, then also carry few antiques,and handbags what am I supposed to do help,,,,,,,,
HI,
We are selling mainly vintage toys, most are 50’-70’ which have none of UPC no., so it seems this new system is not suitable.
Furthermore, if the UPC searching is an addition method to Google search, we believe everyone will welcome one more way for their items to expose. But if this is replacement for the title search, then it is non-sense, as for searcher/user of google search they mainly search some items that they want to buy or they want to find, this mean the searcher don’t have the item at their end, then how can they get the UPC to use for searching, we believe most people are actually use title for search, UPC searching is only suitable for some professional or business users only.
So conclude, please keep title searching as main method and UPC can add as additional method for more expose chance.
HXS
@hg52789
File for an exemption.. Vintage is exempt and so is apparel.. Apparel includes accessories.
Here is the link to the exemption form
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
@HobbyXStyle
Google product is who is implementing this change not Bonanza. The UPC is not for google organic but google product.
The use of the UPC, EAN, JAN, MPN and Brand is how price comparisons are done in Google shopping.
Keyword search still works for site search and organic search. Google shopping has always used attributes for search filtering.
Okay, I’m really confused! It sounds like I have to get an exception for my hand made jewelry, but the categories of items on the form do not include handmade or acessories.
Is anybody on the staff of Bonanza available to read this forum and try to clear some of this up? If people are removing items, that will be bad for Bonanza’s business, as well as our own.
@aliciafaith
Use the “none of above” text box section on the exempt form to apply for the handmade jewelry exemption
@Cabincrafts
Did I miss someone else’s inquiry? If so, I apologize for overlooking.
So easy with the batch editor… Yaaaay Love you all people! almost done with my booth UPI’s submission.
I haven’t read the whole thread but just sharing how I didt it… in case it helps.
Most of my products have the UPC label that is physically in each item, this is the UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE (UPC)
you go to Batch edit…. then do a search or filter for all your items.
choose item traits
then
TYPE the UPC code in the appropiate UPC box in each item
Save page by page
and Voila… that’s it!
Good Day DominicanLounge
Excellent news. Thank you for sharing!
I am so lost. Do not understand any of this at all.
HI lilyladys
Let me see if I can help.
Google product is requiring that sellers add what is called unique product identifiers (UPI) to their listings..
Apparel (which includes accessories, vintage, antique, custom made/hand made items are all exempt.
If your items are exempt from the requirement. then you can file for exemption with Google product.
The link is here
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
The UPI’s that Google wants are
UPC, EAN, JAN
Brand
MPN (manufacturer part number)
They want two out of the three…
If you complete the Item Traits on your listings, all will be well.
I sell all homemade products such as soaps,candles ect. Are my items exempt?
HI there
Yes handmade custom made items are exempt
File an exemption form
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
The website URL is your booth URL
The Account id is found by going to
“My Bonanza” then clicking on the green Google link.
The Account id is located on the following page
Judy/blue
Hello, Just to confirm.
I have a booth with only costume jewelry in it. So, since that is an exempt catagory, I don’t have to file for an exemption, correct??? Or, do I?(reading the answers to questions at the top of this list, it looks like it don’t need to file an exemption, but reading your lastest answers makes it look like I do need to file one…..)
Thanks, bjb20
A couple more questions,
1. I have another booth with books, some pre-1970, so I believe I do need to file for an exemption for this booth, correct?
2. Also, do books also need two identifiers, or is just the ISBN enough?
3. An earlier member asked what to do about book lots…have you found an answer for book lots yet?
Thanks, bjb20
HI
File for an exemption for product that is exempt.
Books require the ISBN. Books that do not have an ISBN should include the year attribute . Books prior to 1970 are not required to have the ISBN .. So use the year..
Thanks for information posted so far, but I am still confused.
I sell all Private Lebel Rights e-books products such as scripts ,e-digital book ect.
Are my items exempt? I dont have Brand ,UPC MPN
Hi there
If your Private label right items do not have UPI, file the exemption form. Google product responds quickly to the exempt forms.
http://www.google.com/support/merchants/bin/request.py?contact_type=unique_id_exemption
Hi. I hoped this question hasn’t been asked a million times before—I guess everyone is having trouble with Attributes. I went through all my items and put in ISBN if the book had it, MPN amd UPC if I could find them. I applied for an exemption and received the following email (in part) back from the Powers That BE, "You can view the details of this and several other items that have been flagged for not having valid unique identifier values on your Data quality page, under the section ‘Invalid Unique Product Identifiers’ in your Google Merchant Center account’ At last, here’s my question. I cannot find the Data Quality Page or the Invalid Unique Product Identifiers. Please help, I’d like to get this project out of the way once and for all. Thanks
HI all
Run your feed status report by going to “My Bonanza” home page.
Click on the green Google in the Sell section.
on the Google page is the link to request the feed status review.
My turn, having read the Blog above it says we will need to specify UPC, Brand, MPN or ISBN. The “or” is what has me, is having just the Brand name good enough? I have over 300 toys listed and maybe 2000 more to list and they all have different UPC codes. All of these items I sell for under $10 and that includes S&H. Seems like a lot of agro for so little considering I have under 50 total sales in 2 years?
One other question I have a small amount of items that I have no idea who the MFG or the Brand is as they have no makings on them and are being sold as used items. What about them?
I am glad my booths are on vacation right now!!! I seem to understand that if I want to list an exempted category such as my artwork at Bonz, then I will have to fill out an exemption for my artwork???? That the exemption is not an automatic thing for an exempted category?
Thank you Bluepenny Lady for all your patience and answering some of the same questions over and over to help clarify this new req.
Yet there are still a few things that I haven’t seen answers for yet….
What happens when I add more to my booth after I have filed an exemption? Such as when I place more items that are exempt or list items that I cannot find a UPI for?
Also, what to do with items that have known UPI’s by Google, but that the seller does not have the information on or can’t find the information on….
Does anyone know of web pages/sites that offer help in finding the valid identifiers by description of the item????
There is a UPC data look up site called upcdatabase.com, but this only helps if you already have a UPC code that you are checking on. They don’t seem to have a “reverse lookup” feature.
UPCdatabase does let you add an item to their list, if you have a UPC’d item that is not in their database yet. I had to do that with a figurine last year.
Although I can see how having the same identifiers for the same items will mean (in theory) that Google should be able to track items better, so that small-time sellers should show up next to the big guys for the same item.
For example, I noticed that an item I had for sale last year did not come up in particular searches for that item. If I typed in my exact title, then my item showed as the best price, but leave one word out in my search and my item did not show for sale. I hope this new attribute requirement will help in this type of searching problem.
Still if I can’t find the UPI of an item that is not in an exempt category and that Google says has to have a UPI listed, then I may have to list those items with Craig’s list or a site that takes care of this exemption form hassle for their sellers. I understand that me talking directly with Google is a good thing, but may take more time then I have to spare and time is money.
I have two houses full of stuff that have to be sold, given away or recycled. All that stuff has got to go somewhere!!!
=^..^=
Having recently disposed of a house full of stuff, here are my suggestions:
For valuables, find a good auction house with internet auctions and let them do it. You can’t sell valuables on eBay any more without taking a tremendous risk of bad buyers who will be supported by eBay.
For semi valuables, find a busy consignment shop.
For interesting or unique things, you could try Bonanza or another web site. Anything you know the value of, Craig’s list would work if it is viable where you live. Where I live, it’s pretty slow.
For the rest, massive garage sale.
Leftovers, you can get rid of almost anything via Freecycle. Craig’s list has a free section. Charities in your town are always happy to have stuff and take the tax writeoff. Some of them will come pick up as well.
I agree, you have to figure in the time with how many sales you make at Bonanza. I do believe, though, that all websites are going to make you add this information; even eBay now has a slot to fill in UPC. If the site doesn’t submit it, the feed won’t happen.
Good luck! Tita
there is no end to google’s nonsense. It is impossible to understand them or keep up with the constant change for the sake of change. A worthless chasing of one’s tail.
A pox on all of them. It is obvious that what the big guys want is big sellers with modern retail type products. Small folks can’t compete in this market and they don’t want you to be there.
My choice is to list on eBay, Bonanza, Ecrater and sell what I can. But I concentrate selling at Antique Shows, Flea Markets, etc. and park items on the other sites hoping for the once in a while order. Who has the time to research 500+ items so you can get listed on google. The heck with that. I have kept track of emails from people I sold to in the past and send out periodic notices to them. I promote Bonanza and eCrater and wish everyone did. Its no accident that the eBays make it harder to do business, they don’t want you. They make more money on big sales volume of small number of products from the supersellers and they use less assets to do it and skim off whatever they get from us. Me I have no intention to jump through hoops for the puppetmasters. Maybe if none of us did they would notice we were gone but likely they won’t care. Finally eBay is searched by many people and is the first place they go to find items and value. My hope is one day Bonanza et al form their own serch site limited to stores on those sites and then maybe we could see a jump in visitors.
But thats just what I think.
I sell mostly collectible books, but about 40% of my items are post-1970 books. I’ve emailed Google, but have never gotten a clear answer about whether I can get an exemption on those books which don’t have an ISBN. Yes, there are many such books, including my third-highest-priced item. So if I can’t get an exemption on that and the other post-1970 books without an identifier, I will either have to do without a Google feed on my whole booth or else delete those books. I think it’s ironic that Bonanza advertises “Everything but the ordinary”, but this Google situation will make the ordinary more likely to remain and the unusual items more likely to be deleted!
@ThePurpleKattery
Concerning adding product after the exemption
IF the items have UPI, then include the identifiers.. Always include identifiers if you have them.
For product that does not, list as normal.. Retain the exemption granted acceptance email you receive from Google content.. At some point they may review your feed. OR if items are returned invalid because no identifiers. Then you can use that email to communicate with google content again
This UPI requriement is going to be just like anything else. They will do periodic feed reviews. Just like they do now.
Judy/blue
@billwicker3
Your particular category of toys will require two UPI’s .
two of the following
UPC, EAN, JAN
MPN
Brand
So the toys that are not collectible, vintage/antique will need two identifiers.
Search google product to see if anyone else has the information available.
After applying all the Identifiers to all the product you can in your booth, then file an exemption for remaining product line(s) in your booth.
I guess the flip side of the coin is what if adding the identifiers doubles or triples your booth traffic. More traffic will ultimately generate sales.
Omitting the identifiers means that the product will not be included in google product. So there is no chance of traffic coming to you from that search engine.
Just something to consider.
Judy/blue
Hope this might help somewhat….
Got this info -
You can look up UPCs or EANs at the Internet UPC Database website, which includes many, though not all product identifiers that have been issued. Go here it may help – http://www.upcdatabase.com/
You can look up ISBNs at ISBNdb.com. You can also check ISBN-13 on Google Product Search.
Still trying to figure this out as I go, But lets not forget there are other search engines out there.
Swede
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
-————————————————————————————OK RUNNING INTO A MAJOR PROBLEM!
Hi,
Now I am really confused I listed just one item to test this out, and I did not get any boxes for UPN and so forth. I just place that info in the product description for people to read.
Here is the link: http://www.bonanza.com/booths/Goodies4You
Should I have added it like this for google:
[[ UPC:123456789 ]]
Also is the excel bulk upload sheet have these upi’s for google? I work on excel offline then upload when finished.
(using Verizon’s Mi-Fi hot spot, which gives me only 5GB a month) and listing one item at a time will eat up my data usage.
:(
When I go to “batch edit” then “item traits” and finally “Edit traits for all filtered items” I see my items and the item trait boxes, however, for some of my items (like dishes listed in Pottery & Glass) there are no item trait boxes for any type of identification number, just color, design, etc.
Do we only need to have UPI info for the items that come up with those boxes?
Thanks
I am soooooo confused !
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