Froogle Merchant Center merged into GoogleBase

[Pixxi]

Ok! I have returned products_image_large. Download

Thanks Andrew

But doesn't this section need to be commented out now?

        // check for a medium image else use small
        if (!file_exists(DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'medium/' . $products_image_medium)) {
          $products_image_medium = DIR_WS_IMAGES . $products_image;
        } else {
          $products_image_medium = DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'medium/' . $products_image_medium;
        } 

[Pixxi]

We have the newest version from Andrew and it DOES NOT have all the Google Base required attributes.

Google has stated that if the feeds they receive DO NOT have these REQUIRED attributes, the feeds will be rejected - period

They've also stated that if you're unable to provide all of the attributes they now require in the feed, they will work with you to find an acceptable solution.

I think the potential problem is likely to be that Zen doesn't store some of the newly-required Froogle attributes in a standard format (ie field in a table) - for example, 'colour' and 'size' will likely be stored in Zen as *Zen* attributes, although some shops may use the 'model' field instead.

[j0ney3]

I just received this email as well, doesn't look like a big deal, just a few extra fields.

What we currently have:
The default set:
* product_url (link)
* name (title)
* description
* price
* image_url (image_link)
* category
Configurable extended set:
* offer_id
* instock
* shipping
* brand
* product_type
* language
* ship_to
* ship_from

What we will be required to have:
* brand
* condition
* description
* expiration_date
* id
* image_link
* link
* price
* product_type
* title

What we need to add:
* condition
* expiration_date
* id


We have until the end of Feb to implement these changes, lets all make sure we're talking about the same file, then we can implement the changes appropriately.

Btw, I'm looking at file version:
// $Id: froogle.php 12-02-2005 [email protected]

[JLA]

They've also stated that if you're unable to provide all of the attributes they now require in the feed, they will work with you to find an acceptable solution.

I think the potential problem is likely to be that Zen doesn't store some of the newly-required Froogle attributes in a standard format (ie field in a table) - for example, 'colour' and 'size' will likely be stored in Zen as *Zen* attributes, although some shops may use the 'model' field instead.

I believe that will work with you on OPTIONAL attributes and perhaps before on REQUIRED attributes - but I think they have changed their tune now on the REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

From an e-mail we received yesterday

Froogle Merchant Announcement
New product upload requirements
Hello,

As you know, we're always looking for new ways to improve our product search experience, both for our users and for content providers. We've found that one of the most effective ways to help users conduct faster and more effective searches is to describe products with relevant attributes - ideally those assigned by the people who best understand their own products, meaning you.

That's why we're asking all Froogle merchants to send us bulk uploads in the Google Base format, with five additional attributes (along with the basic ones you've submitted in the past). Because we think it's important to provide a consistent user experience, we will no longer list items that don't meet a minimal number of attributes by the end of February 2007. Please review the following bulk uploads - they do not currently meet the minimum attribute requirement:

xxxxxxx

For further explanation please visit our FAQ section

You can review this attribute requirement page to learn about these new guidelines for general product attributes and specific attributes per product type. You can also learn how to submit your feed using Google Base here. We recommend that you include as many attributes as possible; the more information you provide, the better chance you'll have of matching users' "refinement" queries.

We hope you'll continue enjoying the benefits of listing your products on Google, and even increase your potential customer base using the new Google Base format.

Thanks,
The Google Base Team


The REQUIRED product attributes now are

Required Attributes
Attributes for all products
You are required to include these attributes for all of the items in your bulk upload file.

brand
condition
description
expiration_date
id
image_link
link
price
product_type
title

[JLA]

They've also stated that if you're unable to provide all of the attributes they now require in the feed, they will work with you to find an acceptable solution.

I think the potential problem is likely to be that Zen doesn't store some of the newly-required Froogle attributes in a standard format (ie field in a table) - for example, 'colour' and 'size' will likely be stored in Zen as *Zen* attributes, although some shops may use the 'model' field instead.

I just received this email as well, doesn't look like a big deal, just a few extra fields.

What we currently have:
The default set:
* product_url (link)
* name (title)
* description
* price
* image_url (image_link)
* category
Configurable extended set:
* offer_id
* instock
* shipping
* brand
* product_type
* language
* ship_to
* ship_from

What we will be required to have:
* brand
* condition
* description
* expiration_date
* id
* image_link
* link
* price
* product_type
* title

What we need to add:
* condition
* expiration_date
* id


We have until the end of Feb to implement these changes, lets all make sure we're talking about the same file, then we can implement the changes appropriately.

Btw, I'm looking at file version:
// $Id: froogle.php 12-02-2005 [email protected]

The newest version available from Andrew has Expiration data and ID but DOES NOT have CONDITION.

[j0ney3]

Awesome!

Condition as spec'd by Google:

condition
The condition of the product.
Format:
Text. Appropriate values include: new, used, and refurbished.
Tab-delimited example:
refurbished
XML example:
<g:condition>refurbished</g:condition>

Well, this will be especially easy for those of us who only sell "new" products as we can just hardcode "new" into every field. Does zencart have supporting database structure for this?

Also, I'm going to d/l Andrew's version now so we're all on the same page.

[Pixxi]

The required attributes vary depending on the type of item you're selling - see the link in my earlier post above.

BTW, the feed already has offer_id and expiration_date.

Here's what Google say about *required* attributes:

What if I don't have the information for all the required attributes?


Please reply to the email we sent you with your provider account login and the reason you don't have all the information. We'll do our best to help you submit your information.

http://base.google.com/support/bin/a...01&topic=10610

[j0ney3]

The required attributes vary depending on the type of item you're selling - see the link in my earlier post above.

BTW, the feed already has offer_id and expiration_date.

Here's what Google say about *required* attributes:



http://base.google.com/support/bin/a...01&topic=10610

Hrm...

http://base.google.com/base/products.html

Are we reading the same info? It appears to me that the only items that are REQUIRED are listed up top, the other's (by product) only help, but won't invalidate your upload if not present. Please correct me if I'm reading wrong.

[JLA]

Yes, it can be hard coded but it seems it should be pretty easy to duplicate what Andrew did for the product type field

There are two approaches that one can use

Since ZEN does not have the ability currently to specify whether a product is new, used or refurbished, perhaps just as Andrew did for product type, we can specify for all products "see description" for the condition field.

It says on Google

Appropriate values include which to means does not mean LIMITED TO so the "see description" should be appropriate

Regardless, the FAQ about required attributes is no longer valid at least according to our contact at Google. All feeds MUST have these fields period.

[JLA]

Hrm...

http://base.google.com/base/products.html

Are we reading the same info? It appears to me that the only items that are REQUIRED are listed up top, the other's (by product) only help, but won't invalidate your upload if not present. Please correct me if I'm reading wrong.

Required Attributes
Attributes for all products
You are required to include these attributes for all of the items in your bulk upload file.

brand
condition
description
expiration_date
id
image_link
link
price
product_type
title