Google Shopping has a number of attributes that allow users to pinpoint the exact size, fit, color, pattern, theme, and other product features. In this article, we’ll cover the size attribute for product feeds and explain what it is, how to satisfy Google’s formatting requirements, how to add size to your feed, and other useful tips.
Let’s dive in.
This article is part of our Google Shopping Feed hub.
Table of Contents
What Is the Size Attribute in the Product Feed?
The size attribute allows advertisers to indicate a product’s size. This is especially useful when a product’s size is important for users to decide to purchase it.
Entries for this attribute serve to filter search results by product size and can affect the way product variants are shown to users.
Is the Size Attribute Required?
Yes, size is required for some categories of products, mostly clothing and shoes, or more specifically, products that belong to the following two categories in Google’s product taxonomy list:
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing (ID 1604) and
- Apparel & Accessories > Shoes (ID 187)
The size attribute applies to free listings and to Shopping campaigns in select countries (USA, UK, Brazil, Germany, France, and Japan).
However, advertisers can use this attribute to specify the size of any product in their inventory, especially if such information can influence the sale.
How Is the Size Attribute Used in Google Shopping?
Google uses product data about size to filter search results. For instance, when a user specifies the size of the item they search for, products that have values for the size attribute will show as top results (if the size corresponds to the search).
So, the values advertisers provide for size are shown to users. Keep this in mind when you configure the size attribute for your product feed.
Also, if the product variant is defined by size, this attribute will help Google show the exact item to users. Please note that size may be only one of the product features that define the item. For example, when users search for “large green pants”, the products with values for size (large) and color (green) will appear higher in the search results.
Remember, Google’s goal is to standardize Shopping ads and suggest relevant results to users (i.e. results that lead to conversions). Follow the formatting requirements and provide rich product data, including data on product size, and you’ll have a better chance to rank high.
Let’s check the formatting standard for the size attribute.
Options for Size
The format for size in product feeds for Google Shopping is flexible. Entries need to be consistent and can have up to 100 characters, although it’s obvious that you’ll probably need much less than that.
Let’s check how to format entries for the size attribute.
Two file formats are supported:
- For text feed: “M”
- For XML feed: <g:size>M</g:size>
We’ll now cover additional attributes related to size (both of which are optional).
The Size Type Attribute in Google Shopping
Advertisers can use size_type to indicate the cut of the product. This info about product size serves as an additional filter when Google tries to hone in on relevant results for search queries.
There are six supported values for size_type:
- Regular
- Petite
- Plus
- Tall
- Big
- Maternity
Also, the size type attribute is a repeated field and can include up to two values for product size.
The entries should be formatted in the following manner:
- for text feed: “Big and Tall”
- for XML feed: <g:size_type>Big and Tall</g:size_type>
It’s recommended to use the size_system attribute as well, so let’s see what it’s all about.
The Size System Attribute in Google Shopping
Values for size_system specify the sizing system your store uses when labeling products. These are standardized size formats and usually go by country systems (and country codes).
The entry for size_system should have a two (or three) letter country code to indicate sizing standards. Supported values include: AU, MEX, CN, BR, US, UK, JP, etc.
For example, this is the format for such entries:
- Text feeds: “JP”
- XML feeds: <g:size_system>JP</g:size_system>
When advertisers configure the size attribute for their product feed, it’s advised to provide as much product data as possible. Aside from size_type and size_system, you can also populate the gender attribute and use item_group_id when appropriate.
All this data about product size will be used to filter results and show product variants in a way that’s likely to bring better performance for your store.
Let’s now check the method for uploading size info in the feed.
How To Add Size to Your Product Feed
There is more than one way to provide values for size, however, this type of product data is usually first added to an ecommerce platform and then shared with Google Merchant center.
Also, product data about size in these ecommerce platforms often goes together with other attributes which define product variants.
For example, if you have the same product (for example, a t-shirt) in more than one size (small, medium, and large) and more than one color (red, green, and blue), there will be a total of nine different product variants.
Depending on the ecommerce platform you use, you will probably have a list of variants for a specific product – these can be found on a product details page.
Now, let’s check common issues for size.
Common Problems With the Size Attribute
Google may disapprove of your item if you don’t follow the formatting requirements for the size attribute. The most common issue is when advertisers don’t use consistent entries for size.
Let’s check some tips on how to avoid this and other potential issues:
Entries have to be consistent
Use the same format for values, i.e. “Small, Medium, or Large” is correct, while “S, med. or Lrg” makes it hard for Google to standardize the size shown to users.
Submit only one value per product
Only the first value counts, and everything that follows after a comma will be discarded by Google.
Provide only info about product size
Use respective attributes to provide other product features, like color, material, pattern, etc.
Use a slash to separate size info for multiple dimensions
For example, “17/33” for neck and sleeve length. If you separate these two size dimensions with a comma (17,33), Google will only show “17”.
Add size info using additional size attributes
Use the two attributes relating to size – size type and size system, but use other attributes as well to provide rich product data.
Stick to standardized formats for expressing product size, particularly for clothing and shoes, and double-check the formatting requirements – this will solve most of the potential feed issues with size.
Help Google Learn More About the Products You Offer
As a general rule about Google Shopping, add as much info about your products and you are more likely to get relevant visits, and with that, more conversions. This also applies to items’ size, especially if you sell apparel.
In a way, Google rewards you for providing rich product data by considering your offer before those without a specified size (and similar attributes). And it’s easy to format the values, so, don’t hesitate to add this type of product info for items in your feed.
