Google Merchant XML feed: reuse it as a Shopify import source
Your supplier or another store already publishes a Google Shopping feed? Here is how a Google Merchant Center XML feed maps to Shopify products, variants, prices and stock, and how to import it.
Why Google feeds are a good import source
Google Merchant Center defined a strict, well-documented product feed format years ago, and almost every e-commerce platform can export it. Suppliers who cannot produce a "proper" XML catalogue often can produce a Google feed. Because the field names are fixed, the import is predictable.
How the fields map
| Google attribute | Shopify field |
|---|---|
| g:id | Variant SKU |
| g:title | Product title |
| g:description | Description |
| g:link | Stored as source URL |
| g:image_link | Main image |
| g:additional_image_link | Further images |
| g:price | Compare-at price when a sale price exists, otherwise price |
| g:sale_price | Price |
| g:availability, g:quantity | Inventory |
| g:brand | Vendor |
| g:gtin, g:mpn | Barcode |
| g:item_group_id | Groups items into one product |
| g:size, g:color | Variant option |
| g:product_type, g:google_product_category | Product type, tags |
Variants through item_group_id
In a Google feed every variant is its own item. Items that share g:item_group_id are combined into one Shopify product; the size or colour attribute becomes the option value; each keeps its own price, availability and image. This is the "flat variant" shape described in supported XML shapes.
Sale prices and discounts
If g:sale_price is present and lower than g:price, the sale price is used as the selling price and the regular price as the compare-at price, so the storefront shows the discount. Your price and compare-at multipliers are applied on top.
Importing it
- Get the feed URL (it often ends in
.xmlor/feed/google). - Add it as a feed in Product XML Import. The Google layout is detected automatically.
- Import as drafts, review, publish, and enable sync.
The same feed can be used by several stores with different multipliers, which brands use to power a retail and an outlet store from one catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Google Shopping feed XML?
Yes. Google Merchant Center accepts RSS 2.0 or Atom XML with product attributes in the g: namespace. Many platforms generate it automatically, which makes it a common feed to receive from suppliers.
Can I import a Google feed from another Shopify store?
If the store owner shares their feed URL with you and allows it, yes. The item_group_id groups variants and the sale price becomes your selling price.
What about the availability field?
in stock, out of stock and preorder are mapped to quantities: a default stock for in stock, zero for out of stock. Feeds with a g:quantity field use the real number.
Founder, Ondokuzon
Founder of Ondokuzon and the developer behind Product XML Import by ProXI. Has connected supplier feeds from more than 190 domains to Shopify stores since 2024.