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Set up the Google & YouTube channel

The Google & YouTube channel automatically syncs your products and relevant information about your Shopify store with the Google Merchant Center. You can then update your Google product feed directly from Shopify. For eligible stores selling in the United States, products synced to Google Merchant Center using the Google & YouTube channel can display in Google Shopping tab search listings for free.

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Connect your Google Account to the Google & YouTube channel

You can install the Google & YouTube channel from the Shopify App Store and then connect to your Google Merchant Center account, your Google Ads account, and Google Analytics to Shopify. You can choose which accounts to connect to Shopify based on which Google products you want to use. For example, you don't need to connect a Google Merchant Center account when you want to use only Google Ads and Google Analytics, which don't require a Google Merchant Center account.

Learn how to install an app.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Sales channels > Google & YouTube.

  2. Click Connect Google Account, and then select a Google account or create a new one. You need to allow Shopify to access your Google account information.

  3. Optional: You can receive notifications about updates to the channel from Google. In the Emails from Google & YouTube app section, click Turn on.

  4. Review the setup requirements for your online store, and make any required changes.

  5. To complete the setup of the channel, set up any of these optional features:

Staff permissions for the Google & YouTube channel

If you're a staff member installing the Google & YouTube channel, then you need the following permissions:

  • General: Orders, Products, Marketing, Discounts
  • Online Store: Blog posts and pages, Navigation
  • Administration: Manage settings
  • Apps and Channels: Manage and install apps and channels

If you don't have the correct permissions, then contact the store owner to update your permissions.

Connect to Google Merchant Center to sync your products

After you install the Google & YouTube channel, you need to connect your Google account and Google Merchant Center account so that you can sync your Shopify products with Google.

Your store needs to meet a few requirements for the Google & YouTube channel to work. Review the requirements to learn if you need to make any changes to your online store or shipping settings.

Steps:

  1. Follow the steps to install the Google & Youtube channel and connect your Google account.
  2. Select or create a Merchant Center account:
    • Select a Merchant Account from the drop-down menu. The Merchant Center IDs listed are the IDs associated with your Google account where your Google account is an administrator.
    • If you don't have a Merchant Center account, then click Create new, and then create an account from Google Merchant Center.
  3. Verify yourself as the Merchant Center account owner:
    1. In the Verify it's you section, enter your phone number, select your country from the drop-down menu, and then click Get code to receive your verification code.
    2. In the Verify it's you dialog, enter the 6-digit code that you receive by text message to your phone.
    3. Click Verify.
  4. Optional: If you want to manually select the locations where you sell your products, then complete the following steps:
    • In the Countries and Languages section, click Manage.
    • In the Automatic sync section, click Turn off.
    • Select the countries and languages that you want to sync from Shopify Markets to your Google Merchant Center, and then click Save. View the supported languages.
  5. Optional: If you're setting up for paid marketing on Google, then click Manage beside Shipping settings, and then click the drop-down menu to select automatic or manual configuration of shipping rates:
  6. Optional: Set your product title and description preferences for products synced with Google. Learn about optimizing your product titles and descriptions for Google Shopping.

After you complete setup, products that are available to your online store automatically sync with Google. For eligible stores, products synced to Google Merchant Center using the Google & YouTube channel can display on relevant Google surfaces for free.

Learn about syncing your Shopify products with Google.

From the Overview page in the Google sales channel, you can view your product listing and marketing information:

Connect the Google & YouTube channel to Google Ads

You can connect a Google Ads account to your Google & YouTube sales channel with or without a Google Merchant Center account. First, install the Google & Youtube channel and connect your Google account. Then, follow the steps that match your setup. Learn about linking Shopify to Google Ads.

Before you connect to a Google Ads account, review the following considerations:

  • To set up Google Ads, you must have an existing Google Ads account.
  • The connected Google account must be an administrator on the Google Ads account.
Set up Google Ads without a Google Merchant Center account

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Sales channels > Google & YouTube.

  2. In the Just want to set up Google Ads conversion measurement? banner, click Get started.

  3. In the Google Ads section, click Get started.

  4. In the Connect your Google Ads account section, select an existing Google Ads account from the drop-down list. The Google Ads IDs listed are associated with your Google account, where your Google account is an administrator.

  5. Follow the prompts, and then click Complete set up.

Set up Google Ads with a Google Merchant Center account

Follow the steps to connect to Google Merchant Center.

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Sales channels > Google & YouTube.

  2. In the Advertise your products with Google Ads banner, click Get started.

  3. In the Set up up your Performance Max campaign section, select an existing Google Ads account from the drop-down list. The Google Ads IDs listed are associated with your Google account, where your Google account is an administrator.

  4. Click Connect.

You can disconnect this Google Ads account at any time by clicking Disconnect.

Connect the Google & YouTube channel to Google Analytics 4

You can connect an existing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property or create a new property to share your Shopify data with Google Analytics and track the performance of your online store. You can set up Google Analytics without a Google Merchant Center account.

Learn about Google Analytics.

Steps:

Follow the steps to install the Google & Youtube channel and connect your Google account.

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Sales channels > Google & YouTube.

  2. In the Looking only to set up Google Analytics 4? banner, click Get started.

  3. In the Connect a Google Analytics property section, select or create a GA4 property:

    • Select an existing property from the drop-down menu. The GA4 IDs listed are the IDs associated with your Google account where your Google account is an administrator.
    • If you don't have a GA4 property, then click Create new, and then create a property from Google Analytics.

  4. Click Connect.

You can disconnect this GA4 property at any time by clicking Disconnect.

Troubleshooting common setup issues

If you experience issues setting up the Google & YouTube channel, then try these solutions to common problems.

Troubleshoot Merchant Center account not appearing in dropdown

If your Google Merchant Center account doesn't display as an option when connecting to the Google & YouTube channel, then the issue is usually related to account permissions.

Steps:

  1. Confirm that the email address connected in the Google & YouTube channel matches the email address that has administrator access on the Merchant Center account.
  2. Open your Google Merchant Center account.
  3. Click the gear icon, and then go to Settings > Account access.
  4. Confirm that your email address is listed as a User with Admin access. If it displays as Standard, then update it to Admin.
  5. If your email address isn't listed, then click the + icon beside Add user to add your email as an administrator. Don't add the email as an email contact only.
  6. Wait approximately 10 minutes for the Google & YouTube channel to update after permissions are added.
  7. If your account still doesn't appear, then confirm that you're not using a multi-client account, which can't be connected directly to Shopify. Learn about multi-client accounts.
Troubleshoot domain verification errors

This error displays when the Google & YouTube channel can't automatically verify your domain with Google Merchant Center. Your domain must be verified and claimed in your connected Merchant Center account.

Steps:

  1. Confirm that the email address in the Google & YouTube channel has Admin access on the Merchant Center account.
  2. In your Google Merchant Center account, go to Settings > Business information > Website.
  3. Confirm that your primary domain (for example, yourdomain.com) is added, not a subdomain (for example, www.yourdomain.com).
  4. If the domain displays as verified and claimed, then disconnect and reconnect your Merchant Center account in the Google & YouTube channel.
  5. If the domain isn't verified, then verify it manually using the HTML tag method:
    1. In Google Merchant Center, select the HTML tag verification option.
    2. Copy the HTML tag provided.
    3. In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes, and click ... > Edit code beside your live theme.
    4. Open the theme.liquid file and paste the HTML tag directly below the opening <head> tag.
    5. Save the file.
    6. Return to Google Merchant Center and click Verify website.
  6. After verification, disconnect and reconnect your Merchant Center account in the Google & YouTube channel to clear the error.
Troubleshoot domain claimed on a different account

If your domain is claimed under a different Google Merchant Center account, then you have two options:

Option 1: Transfer the domain claim

If you want to use the new Merchant Center account with Shopify, then click Transfer my domain in the Google & YouTube channel to transfer the domain claim to the connected account. This action can't be undone.

Option 2: Connect the other account

If you want to continue using the Merchant Center account where the domain is already claimed:

  1. In the Google & YouTube channel, click Disconnect beside the current Merchant Center account.
  2. Select the correct account from the dropdown list. The account must have your email address listed as an administrator.
Troubleshoot phone verification errors

If you're having trouble verifying your phone number during setup, then try the following steps:

  1. Confirm that the phone number you entered matches the phone number in your store details settings.
  2. If a "too many attempts" error displays, then:
    1. Go to Settings > Store details in your Shopify admin.
    2. Make a minor change to your phone number and save.
    3. Change it back to the original number and save again.
    4. Retry phone verification in the Google & YouTube channel.
  3. Verification can be attempted 5 times within a 4-hour period. If you've exceeded this limit, then wait 4 hours before trying again.
  4. Try using a different internet connection or switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
Troubleshoot store requirements checklist issues

If certain items in the store requirements checklist remain incomplete even after you've added the required information, then try the following steps:

For refund policy and terms of service warnings:

  1. Confirm that your policies are added in Settings > Policies, not created as standalone pages under Online Store > Pages.
  2. Confirm that the policies are linked in your footer menu using the Policies link type, not as custom links to pages.
  3. In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Navigation.
  4. Edit your footer menu and confirm the handle is footer (the default).
  5. Add links to your policies using the Policies option when adding menu items.

For contact information:

You must have at least one of these contact methods displayed on your online store:

  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Mailing address
  • Contact form

After adding contact information, click the checkbox in the Google & YouTube channel to confirm it's been added. The channel can't automatically detect this information.

Troubleshoot shipping settings import errors

Automatic shipping import has specific requirements. If your shipping settings can't be imported, then review the following requirements:

  • Only rates from your General shipping profile can sync. Learn about custom shipping profiles, which can't sync automatically.
  • You must have a shipping zone set up for your target market country.
  • Carrier-calculated rates are only supported for certain carriers in Australia, Germany, and the United States. Check the supported carriers on Google Merchant Center Help.

If your shipping setup isn't compatible with automatic import, then select Manually set up shipping settings in Google Merchant Center and configure your rates directly in Google Merchant Center.

Troubleshoot product sync errors

Review the following common product sync issues and their solutions:

  • Missing description: Add a product description to the product page in your Shopify admin.
  • Missing image: Add at least one image to the product.
  • Unavailable landing page: Confirm the product is available to both the Online Store channel and the Google & YouTube channel.
  • Missing GTIN or MPN: Add the barcode (GTIN) to the product's inventory section, or add a brand and MPN through the Google & YouTube channel.
  • Promotional overlay on image: Remove any text, logos, or watermarks from product images.
  • Excessive capitalization: Change product titles from all capitals (for example, "GREEN SHIRT") to sentence or title case (for example, "Green shirt").

To view product errors:

  1. Open a product in your Shopify admin.
  2. In the Sales channels section, click Google to view any errors.

For detailed product requirements, learn about product disapprovals and warnings.

Frequently asked questions

Can I connect multiple Shopify stores to one Google Merchant Center account?

No. Each Google Merchant Center account can only be connected to one Shopify store at a time. If you try to connect an account that's already connected to another store, then an error message displays.

How long does it take for products to sync with Google?

Initial product syncing can take up to 24 hours. After the initial sync, changes to your products typically sync within a few hours. Google also sets a 30-day expiry policy on synced product data, so the Google & YouTube channel automatically updates your products within that period.

Do I need both a Google Merchant Center account and a Google Ads account?

No. You can choose which Google products to use based on your needs:

  • Google Merchant Center only: Sync products and list them for free on Google surfaces.
  • Google Ads only: Set up conversion tracking for your ads without syncing products.
  • Google Analytics only: Track your store's performance without syncing products or running ads.
  • All three: Get the full functionality of product listings, paid advertising, and analytics.
What happens to my products if my Merchant Center account is suspended?

If your Google Merchant Center account is suspended, then your products stop displaying on Google surfaces. You'll need to resolve the issue that caused the suspension and request a review from Google. Learn how to fix product disapprovals and suspensions.

Can I use the Google & YouTube channel with a headless storefront?

Headless storefronts can present challenges with domain verification because the front-end is separate from the Shopify admin. If your headless storefront uses a different domain than what's configured in Shopify, then your product links might not match, which Google doesn't allow. Contact Google for guidance on setting up with a headless architecture.

Before you contact Shopify Support about Google & YouTube channel setup

Before you contact Shopify Support, gather this information to help resolve your issue faster:

  • The Google account email address connected to the Google & YouTube channel
  • Your Google Merchant Center account ID (if applicable)
  • Screenshots of any error messages displayed in the Google & YouTube channel
  • The specific step in the setup process where you encountered the issue
  • Steps you've already tried from the troubleshooting section
  • Whether you've confirmed your domain is verified in Google Merchant Center
  • Your shipping settings configuration (automatic or manual)

Having this information ready helps Shopify Support assist you more efficiently.

Getting help with Google products

Contact Google to get help with the following topics:

  • Your Google Merchant Center account
  • Google Ads
  • Google Local Inventory
  • Google Analytics
  • Other Google topics not supported by Shopify

You can contact Shopify Support to get help downloading the Google & YouTube channel or setting up products.