In short. Add the required product data, map existing global attributes to Google fields, and use the built-in inventory field for GTINs.
Definition: A Google product feed is product data submitted to Google Merchant Center, Google's product data service. Missing feed attributes in WooCommerce are supplied through product fields, Google-specific product values, or rules that map existing attributes to Google's fields.
Key facts
- As of 17 October 2026, WooCommerce's Product Feed Information documentation states that Google for WooCommerce skips products missing a title, description, ID, link, or image.
- Google's product data specification distinguishes required attributes from attributes whose requirement depends on the product or target country.
- A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) identifies a trade item. WooCommerce's GTIN guidance recommends its built-in global unique ID field for Google synchronization.
Where is the missing attribute reported?
WooCommerce's feed documentation gives this WordPress administration path:
Marketing > Google for WooCommerce > Product Feed
The Account Issues and Product Issues tabs identify problems, including missing required data. The same documentation explains that category-specific information stored in custom global attributes needs attribute mapping to reach Google. For apparel and accessories, it points to Google's age group, gender, color, and size requirements.
How is missing product attribute data created?
A global attribute is a reusable product characteristic with named values, called terms. WooCommerce's product attribute documentation describes creating one under Products > Attributes, adding its name, and selecting Add Attribute. Configure terms adds its available values.
Creating the attribute makes it available across the store. Assigning it to a product is a separate step: the product editor's Product data > Attributes tab offers Add Existing, followed by selection of the relevant values. This supplies the product data that a mapping rule can read.
How does an attribute mapping rule work?
WooCommerce's mapping use cases describe opening Marketing > Google for WooCommerce and selecting Create Attribute Rule. A rule selects a target Google attribute, a source value, and the product categories it covers.
For its clothing example, the documentation maps the existing global Product Size attribute to Google's Size target using Use value from existing product field. The category selector restricts the rule to clothing categories. Save rule prepares it for synchronization.
A fixed value is suitable when the same value applies throughout the selected categories. The documentation illustrates this with a store-wide brand value. An individual product's Google-specific attribute takes priority over the rule.
Where does a missing GTIN go?
WooCommerce's GTIN documentation directs new entries to the product's Inventory tab; that data synchronizes automatically to Merchant Center. It also documents migration of identifiers previously stored by the extension into the core fields.
Google's product specification says to submit a GTIN only when its correctness is certain. Guessing a number or making one up can result in disapproval when the submitted value is incorrect.
Related terms
- How do I check Google product feed issues in WooCommerce?
- Where do I enter a product's identifiers in WooCommerce?
- Does every product need a GTIN in Merchant Center?
- How do I create a variable product in WooCommerce?
FAQ
Why does one product ignore my mapping rule?
Check its Google-specific product fields. WooCommerce's mapping examples show that a brand entered in the individual product's Google for WooCommerce section overrides the brand supplied by a rule.
What if my product has no assigned identifiers?
Google's identifier exists documentation permits no or false when the product meets its absence-of-identifiers requirements. Use that setting only when you are certain the product has no assigned unique product identifiers.
Does adding a global attribute send it to Google?
WooCommerce's feed documentation says custom global attributes containing category-specific data are excluded from the default synchronization. Map the relevant attribute through the extension's Attribute Mapping tool.
Sources
- WooCommerce, "Product Feed Information", updated 11 August 2026
- Google Merchant Center Help, "Product data specification", undated
- WooCommerce, "GTIN", updated 27 June 2025
- WooCommerce, "Managing Product Categories, Tags and Attributes", updated 11 September 2026
- WooCommerce, "Google for WooCommerce attribute mapping use cases", updated 27 June 2025
- Google Merchant Center Help, "Identifier exists [identifier_exists]", undated
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