How to set up Google shopping free listings

Last Updated / Reviewed: Feb 15th, 2023

Execution Time: ~10 minutes

Goal: To set up Google free shopping listings to improve product visibility and drive traffic to an online store.

Ideal Outcome: Products will be listed on Google Shopping for free, and customers can find and purchase products from the merchant's online store.

Requirements or prerequisites: Before setting up shipping returns in Google Merchant Center, merchants must have an active Google Merchant Center account that is verified and claimed with their websites and product feeds linked to their Google Ads account.

Why this is done: To increase product visibility and drive traffic to the merchant’s online store at no cost. Merchants can increase their reach and attract new customers by making products more discoverable.

Where this is done: In Google Merchant Center.

When this is done: Anytime. However, doing this as soon as possible is recommended to take advantage of the free advertising opportunity.

Who does this: This may include the business owner, marketing team, or operations team, depending on the size and structure of the organization.

Checklist Point

This checklist point is for new users in Google Merchant Center. You may ignore the checklists if you are already managing your Google Merchant Center linked to your Google Ads account.

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1. Set up a Google Merchant Center
   SOP 213: How to set up Google Merchant Center
2. Set up a Google Ads account
   SOP 014: Creating a Google Ads account
3. Link Google Merchant Center with Google Ads
   SOP219: How to link Google Merchant Center to Google Ads account
4. Prepare your Google Merchant Center feeds
   SOP 218: How to set up Google shopping data feed
5. Claim and verify your website on your Google Merchant Center
   SOP 214: How to verify your website on Google Merchant Center
6. Set up shopping campaigns in your Google Merchant Center
   SOP 216: How to set up Performance Max for Google shopping

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How to set up Google shopping free listings

1. Sign in to your Google Merchant Center here. Choose the appropriate Gmail account and log in with your password. Click “Next”.
   
   
2. Click “Manage programs” under “Growth” and activate “Free product listings”. Click “Get started” to set up.
   
3. If you are new to Google Merchant Center, do refer to the Checklist Point before you click “View Google policies”. Make sure to read through the full Google policies before you hit “Start final review”.
   
4. Under “Products”, click “Feeds” to review your product listings. Click on the product(s) or feed name.
   
5. Finally, you should be able to see a blue ticked box named “Free Listings” on the right under “Products” > “Feeds”> “Settings” tab. This means that your product listing is now activated with Google Merchant Center’s free listings.