Google Base Feeder Support Thread [OLD]

saplanet:

1.10.2 is released.

http://www.numinix.com/google-merchant-center-feeder

Will do the update today and see if it fixes the errors on the google, and comply to the new requirement.

The change log says:
Notes:
This version only partially satisfies the new requirements set out by Google which will come into effect on September 22nd, 2011. In particular, all of the variant attributes for apparel are not yet supported. To prepare for the next update, begin making "read-only" attributes in your Zen Cart admin and set the option name to the name of the variant attribute (i.e. Age Group, Material, Size, Color, Pattern, Gender, etc). The final version of our module will require Stock by Attributes (SBA) to be installed and stock IDs to be created for each of the product variations that you offer. A bug in SBA prevents us from moving forward with this plan due to the fact that read-only attributes cannot be used with SBA. We are working on our own version of SBA which we will continue to support through the Numinix.com website as soon as it is ready, The Google Merchant Center Feeder will automatically begin using these attributes.

However, if you set up these attributes to NOT be read-only and create stock IDs for all of your combinations including these attributes, GMCF will automatically begin using them in version 1.10.2.

Modified
/docs/google_merchant_center/readme.html
/googlefroogle.php
/includes/classes/google_base.php
/install.sql
/module_version/google_merchant_center_feeder.txt

Added
/update_1_10_2.sql

My most problematic feed definitely improved with the new version. He rewrote the sanitizer function and it cleaned up the product descriptions better.

Adding support for a stock with attributes contribution is a major step and writing his own version of that mod is a great thing! Can't wait for that. I actually stopped recommending using that mod due to some problems with the way that is written.

So what he's done is added a google product category field to use as the only category. For folks who have apparel or media sites who have to have this, this resolves this problem for the immediate future. If you want to be able to use different google categories on different products, you can't with this mod. As I said before there is one sold that does this. That firm is not so responsive though. I'm not fond of them but am using that product with one website now.

Looks like he also added/improved support for additional images, availability and product variants.

So I believe he's taken care of all of the upcoming requirement changes at this point. The only thing that may be lacking is the requirement for apparel variants of ###### and age group. If you have those variants for your products now, they may be available in the feed and satisfy that requirement but I don't have anyone that I'm working with who has apparel so really don't know.

So once again, thanks to Jeff at numinix.com, we are still in the game!

I have uploaded this latest version to the contributions section here on zen cart. Should be available soon.

Anyone posting for information in this thread should be using 1.10.2 from now on. If you are not, do not expect an answer to your question. <<<<<<<

Quick question. Should I remove the previous version of the feeder before installing 1.10.2, or does the install.sql patch handle that? Also, I assume Product Fields 1.2.0 is still the latest?

If your previous version is 1.10.1, just upload the files and use the provided sql file.

If it was an earlier one, then you may need to remove and reinstall. I have occasionally had to do that.

I was impatient and didn't wait for a response. :laugh:

My previous version was very old. Installed it when I built the site 2 1/2 years ago. I installed the latest without removing the previous. I'd also like to note that this was a site where I had never installed the product fields mod. It's my site with the most items, so I've been reticent to mess with it. (I have other sites where I've installed later versions).

That said, all is well so far. Installed product fields, got the usual errors I always get with that one, fixed the issues. Installed the new version of the feeder. No errors or issues. Created and uploaded the feed, and Google is processing it right now.

Will report back after the processing is done.

Well, that was quick. It already processed. Here's the warnings:

Missing recommended attribute: mpn (521 warnings)

I always get this one, and it isn't an issue. I sell antique/vintage stuff and Google granted me an exemption from the product identifiers requirement.

Missing recommended attribute: google product category (521 warnings)

This is one I thought this update was supposed to solve. I do have some items that fall under apparel and media; specifically comic books and costume jewelry. Is there a setting somewhere that I'm missing?

Missing recommended attribute: brand (197 warnings)

This one is new. I have quite a few items where the manufacturer is unknown, but the previous feed generator simply populated that field with my site name. A setting I missed somewhere?

Okay, another question. Was I supposed to run update_1_10_2.sql? The install doc doesn't mention it, only install.sql.

1.10.2 installed.

I must be the dumbest installer on the planet. For the life of me, I can't configure the Google Product Category correctly.

http://www.google.com/support/merchants ... wer=160081

I tried a breadcrumb basic path: Animals > Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies .... (ERROR)

Next I tried just .... Dog Supplies (ERROR)

Product type DEFAULT ( generates as [array] in the product field xml file) (ERROR)

Can someone explain in PLAIN ENGLISH how to program what Google wants? And what of the sub categories? This mod does not explain how to include that info.

TIA

RescoCCC:

Okay, another question. Was I supposed to run update_1_10_2.sql? The install doc doesn't mention it, only install.sql.

I compared file sizes, and they were different, so I ran both the 1.10.2 update and the main install.sql files. It will reset all your config files, so you will need to edit those.

Good thing I'm bald now, as I'm in the process of pulling out what hair is left trying to figure why Google is telling me I'm a BAD BOY :O (errors in feed results)

I need GURU help!

xcergy:

1.10.2 installed.

I must be the dumbest installer on the planet. For the life of me, I can't configure the Google Product Category correctly.

http://www.google.com/support/merchants ... wer=160081

I tried a breadcrumb basic path: Animals > Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies .... (ERROR)

Next I tried just .... Dog Supplies (ERROR)

Product type DEFAULT ( generates as [array] in the product field xml file) (ERROR)

Can someone explain in PLAIN ENGLISH how to program what Google wants? And what of the sub categories? This mod does not explain how to include that info.

TIA

Had the same error myself.
It turned out that I forgot to upload the very first googlefroogle.php file in the install folder.

A little tip for those that cant get the AVAILABILITY tag to show.

Make sure that
Show Quantity
Include Zero Quantity
are set to TRUE, then the availability tag will show in your feed.

Might save you a few hours like I just wasted :yes:

Interceptor:

Had the same error myself.
It turned out that I forgot to upload the very first googlefroogle.php file in the install folder.

Just double checked my upload. All files are there.

The errors from Google still continue :yuck:

Hi I have updated to lastest merchant center and it all seems to run fine, except I am a bit mythed about something :( I sell bikes and there are various sizes that each have a different EAN number. On each bike i have an attribute for each size, how do i allocate a EAn number to each size? So for example :

Bike 1 :

size attribute Ean Number

Small : 32523523
Medium : 414124124
Large : 2414141
Xl : 4154151

I downnloaded numinixs product fields and I see I can add one EAn number to a product but this doesnt really help? Is there a way I can make an attribute that does each EAN Number. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Shiftypow:

Hi I have updated to lastest merchant center and it all seems to run fine, except I am a bit mythed about something :( I sell bikes and there are various sizes that each have a different EAN number. On each bike i have an attribute for each size, how do i allocate a EAn number to each size? So for example :

Bike 1 :

size attribute Ean Number

Small : 32523523
Medium : 414124124
Large : 2414141
Xl : 4154151

I downnloaded numinixs product fields and I see I can add one EAn number to a product but this doesnt really help? Is there a way I can make an attribute that does each EAN Number. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Ok sorry I got confused it is not EAN it is MPN and that numinixs feed takes the product model as this MPN number, how do I do it on one product lisitng for multiple sizes with different MPn numbers?

RescoCCC:

Well, that was quick. It already processed. Here's the warnings:

Missing recommended attribute: mpn (521 warnings)

I always get this one, and it isn't an issue. I sell antique/vintage stuff and Google granted me an exemption from the product identifiers requirement.

Missing recommended attribute: google product category (521 warnings)

This is one I thought this update was supposed to solve. I do have some items that fall under apparel and media; specifically comic books and costume jewelry. Is there a setting somewhere that I'm missing?

Missing recommended attribute: brand (197 warnings)

This one is new. I have quite a few items where the manufacturer is unknown, but the previous feed generator simply populated that field with my site name. A setting I missed somewhere?

Update to this. Google Product Category now solved. Just click the name of the category in the Google taxonomy and it fills in the correct info. Paste it in to Default Product Category.

Added a manufacturer of "Unknown Maker", and am editing the products with none to that to solve the missing brand attribute.

Shiftypow:

Hi I have updated to lastest merchant center and it all seems to run fine, except I am a bit mythed about something :( I sell bikes and there are various sizes that each have a different EAN number. On each bike i have an attribute for each size, how do i allocate a EAn number to each size? So for example :

Bike 1 :

size attribute Ean Number

Small : 32523523
Medium : 414124124
Large : 2414141
Xl : 4154151

I downnloaded numinixs product fields and I see I can add one EAn number to a product but this doesnt really help? Is there a way I can make an attribute that does each EAN Number. Thanks in advance for suggestions.

None that I know of. You might need to break them into separate listings, bt I am no expert on the subject.

It seems my xml file is missing the products category tag:

< item >
< title >
< brand >
< condition >new</g:condition>
< product_type >Array</product_type>
< expiration_date >
< id >
< image_link >
< link >
< price >
< tax >
< rate >
< mpn >
< upc >
< quantity >
< currency >
< weight >
< payment_accepted >
< shipping >
< description >
< /item>

Any suggestions?

xcergy,

Enter Animals > Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies in default product category. Enter nothing in default product type.

Just installed the latest version (downloaded today) 1.10.2 exactly as instructed. Go to my admin -> tools - Google Merchant Center Feeder , select feed type products, leave both fields blank (fewer than 700 products currently) click Confirm button, and everything SEEMS to work just fine.. BUT

My XML file is BLANK :censored: nothing in it - completely emty, zero-byte file.

Turned on Debug in configuration, deleted xml, tried again, and still no joy - generating the feed appears to work for all intents and purposes, but the resulting xml file is blank .. WHY!!??

:(
NOT happy!