UPC Finder

Some of you may be aware that in 2008 I created a competitor analysis tool. This allowed users of Google Merchant Center to view their competitors listings along with their own in terms of price and attributes being provided. Since then my tool set has expanded and I now offer a UPC finder/collector for those of you who do not have this information to hand.

As we all know, UPC's are required within Google Merchant Center now, without these, you can find yourself disapproved and have your listings removed from results!

Although, it is always best to gather the UPC's direct from the manufacturer, for those of you who cannot, or are missing only a few then this tool can offer some assistance.

Below you will find some screenshots which take you through the process of using the tool.

Tomthedeveloper Tools Home Screen

UPC Finder Home Screen

Enter your accountID within the text entry box, select your target country from the drop down menu and perform your search.

If you are unsure of your accountID then using the "find" text located above the entry box, type your store name.

A choice of stores matching your entry will be displayed. Locate your store and click to enter the AccountID automatically in the entry box.

Once you have entered your AccountID, you can perform your search.

A list of products will be displayed. You will find the UPC that you currently supply (if applicable) listed along with other users entries. If your current value is displayed in both areas, this will be highlighted to you. The number located within brackets following the UPC denotes the times used.

If you notice a yellow bar running across the lower part of the screen, this is due to the fact you are using the limited version of the tools. This will limit your results and although will provide you an insight into the tool, will not sadly provide you with your complete feeds results.

If you have an account, then please login with the details you will have been provided.

Your limit will then be lifted and you will be provided full access to the tool, allowing you to view results for all items linked to your account.

FAQ


1. How do I get full access?
You can request an account by emailing me directly, however, as there are limits in place, I cannot guarantee you will be granted unlimited access right away. Please feel free to contact me and I can let you know the current status of testers.


2. My UPC's cannot be found?
Although the tools pulls all corresponding UPC's, it relys solely on information used in Google Shopping API and no external references are used in collecting UPC's, the results are based on 1000 returned values from a search using the title provided. If a particular UPC returns no values, then this is more than likely due to the lack of information being made available, or being provided to Google by other users. If you feel this is not the case, and you are having problems with all items, then please contact me.


3. I used a UPC that your tool suggested and Google state it is invalid?
Like above, we rely on other users supplied information to gather the UPC's. If there are more UPC's listed alongside the one currently used, then try another value, as it does not always ring true that the most popular used is always correct.


4. Can I download a complete copy of the UPC's relating to my account?
No, currently, you can see only that of 5 results per page.


5. Can I search using my title rather than AccountID?
No, the UPC finder uses your AccountID only, if you are looking specifically for one item, then I would suggest using the competitor analysis tool for this purpose. If this item you are searching for has a UPC supplied then this will be found beside the GTIN value.

Variant Apparel Listing in Google Product Search

If you are an on-line apparel retailer, then it is important to follow the set guidelines in place. Not only will including all these attributes ensure your processing and positioning within results, but you will also gain valuable keywords by completing each carefully and more importantly accurately.


Apparel products must include the following

United States Requirements.

ID - Do not change your original ID for items if you are altering your feed to include Item Group ID attribute.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
* Note - By adding the Item Group ID attribute, your title must follow one of two options.
1. Share an identical title (Item Name)
2. Vary only by the inclusion of the variant. (Item Name - Green), (Item Name - Blue) etc...
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing.
* -  Note - By adding the Item Group ID attribute, your resulting URL should have the variant pre-selected within drop down menus if possible. This is most important if your variants vary in price.
Image Link - Should be the variant product image, not a place-holder or different variant image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should relate to the variant item
Tax - Either include in your feed or within the tax settings found on your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.
Brand - The brand of the item, not your company name


The above are pretty standard across the board as required.


Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy.
Item Group ID - This again, can be anything you like, however, you must ensure you use it only for items that are variants of the same product. By including this you are informing Google to look for your item in a range of colors, materials, patterns etc.. as such at the very least one of the variants must differ in each item sharing the Item Group ID.
Gender - Male/Female/Unisex
Age Group - Kids/Adult
Color - Color of the Variant Item
Size - Size of the Variant Item
* - Not all items will have small, medium, large values, for items such as hats, I use One Size.
Material - Material of the Variant Item
Pattern - Pattern of the Variant Item

United Kingdom Requirements

ID - Do not change your original ID at any point in your feed.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing. Allowing each item a unique landing page.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy. (using the GB version, not all GPC's follow the same line of chains).
Image Link - You should always try to provide a large high quality image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should be inclusive of Vat.
Brand - The brand of the item, not your company name
Tax - Either include in your feed or within the tax settings found on your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.


If you are having trouble with creating your feed you could try using our data feed creation service.

Apparel Listing in Google Product Search

Guidelines for Apparel that is a single item, rather than being available in a variety of options.
Apparel products must include the following. Only use these requirements if you are not listing the items with more than one size or color available.

United States Requirements.

ID - Do not change your original ID on any uploads.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy.
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing.
Image Link - Should be the product image, not a place-holder or different than listed product image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should relate to the variant item
Tax - Either include within your feed or within the tax settings found within your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.
Brand - The brand of the item, not your company name
Gender - Male/Female/Unisex
Age Group - Kids/Adult
Color - Color of the Variant Item
Size - Size of the Variant Item
* - Not all items will have small, medium, large values, for items such as hats, I use One Size.

United Kingdom Requirements

ID - Do not change your original ID at any point in your feed.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy. (using the GB version, not all GPC's follow the same line of chains).
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing. Allowing each item a unique landing page.
Image Link - You should always try to provide a large high quality image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should be inclusive of Vat.
Brand - The brand of the item, not your company name
Tax - Either include within your feed or within the tax settings found within your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.


If you are having trouble with creating your feed you could try using our data feed creation service.

Books & Listing them on Google Merchant Center

Listing Books within Google Merchant Center has very similar requirements to that of Media, Video Game Software. The requirements are below, along with a few links to helpful resources.

United States Requirements.

ID - Do not change your original ID on any uploads.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy.
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing.
Image Link - Should be the product image, not a place-holder or different than listed product image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should relate to the variant item
ISBN - The identifier Google require for this is ISBN, unlike most other categories where you can supply your choice from 3 listed (EAN, UPC or ISBN) you are only allocated use of ISBN. This is either a 10 or 13 digit number given to the book itself. Never create a value for the above, the book will have one and it is your job to locate it. If you do not have this listed, then search within tools made available for this purpose.
If however, you have both available for use, Google have asked for the 13 digits as preference.
Tax - Either include in your feed or within the tax settings found on your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.

United Kingdom Requirements

ID - Do not change your original ID at any point in your feed.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy. (using the GB version, not all GPC's follow the same line of chains).
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing. Allowing each item a unique landing page.
Image Link - You should always try to provide a large high quality image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should be inclusive of Vat
ISBN - As above 10/13 digit valid numbers only
Tax - Either include within your feed or within the tax settings found within your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.


If you are having trouble with creating your feed you could try using our data feed creation service.

Media + Video Games Listing in Google Product Search

Media & Video Game Software listing within Google Merchant Center, should be relatively simple, with the only attribute over what your site should currently hold would be the Google Product Category, however, please find below the requirements for your target country.

United States Requirements.

ID - Do not change your original ID on any uploads.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy.
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing.
Image Link - Should be the product image, not a place-holder or different than listed product image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should relate to the variant item
UPC - The identifier Google require for this is UPC, unlike most other categories where you can supply your choice from 3 listed (EAN, UPC or ISBN) you are only allocated use of UPC. This is the 12 digit number associated with the product itself. Never create a value for the above, if you do not have an identifier contact the manufacturer or search within tools made available for this purpose. This would not be a product which will exempt from having a UPC so gathering it is the only option.
Tax - Either include in your feed or within the tax settings found on your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.

United Kingdom Requirements

ID - Do not change your original ID at any point in your feed.
Title - 70 Characters is the noted preferred by Google.
Description - Up to 10'000 characters can be used within this attribute. This allows you to include a rich, accurate, keyword full description. Match that of your site and product variant. For instance if you are listing a green version of the item, make sure you change the description to state so.
Google Product Category - Sticking Rigidly to the taxonomy. (using the GB version, not all GPC's follow the same line of chains).
Link - The link should feed directly to the item you are listing. Allowing each item a unique landing page.
Image Link - You should always try to provide a large high quality image.
Condition - New or Refurbished
Availability - In Stock/Out of Stock/Available for order/Preorder
Price - Price should be inclusive of Vat
UPC - As above 12 digit valid numbers only
Tax - Either include in your feed or within the tax settings found on your dashboard.
Shipping - As with tax, this can be specified in your feed or dashboard.


If you are having trouble with creating your feed you could try using our data feed creation service.