Merchant API is a new, simplified API designed to help you manage your Merchant Center and showcase your products and your business across Google with ease. Merchant API is now generally available and is set to become the primary interface for programmatic access to Merchant Center.
The Merchant API follows a new design philosophy that fosters faster innovation at the speed of change. It is the official successor and is replacing the Content API for Shopping as the primary way to programmatically manage complex setups including automated account, product, and inventory management at scale.
This article explains the benefits, applications, and setup instructions for Google Merchant API.
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How you can use Merchant API
Merchant API allows you to programmatically manage and control how your business and products appear on Google. Its newly designed interface allows you to access data, insights, and unique capabilities at scale and at ease. It lets you create and manage multiple data sources, enabling better organization of information about products, promotions, and reviews. With Merchant API, you can manage products in a way that complements other product data upload methods like files and autofeed. Merchant API also lets you run multiple individual requests in parallel.
Use the Merchant API to:
- Programmatically access data, insights, and capabilities for shopping experiences on and off Google.
- Enhance organic and ads experiences with advanced setup, reporting, insights, and notifications.
- Innovate at the speed of change by leveraging the API's modular structure.
The API can be accessed using gRPC or REST. To help you get started, the Merchant API interface is supported by all popular programming languages, including Java, PHP, Python, Node.js, .NET, and Apps Script.
Key benefits of Merchant API
- Leverage latest technology: Benefit from a faster, more efficient API to ensure your setup is ready for the next wave of innovation.
- Upgrade more efficiently: The new modular design allows you to implement changes and roll out new features with greater speed and less effort.
- Streamline data management: Effortlessly control multi-source feeds, regional availability, and store-specific inventory from a single, streamlined interface.
- Unlock exclusive, API-only features: Gain access to powerful tools, such as Google Product Studio for AI-powered imagery and direct account notifications.
Get started with Merchant API
Before you begin
To run a Merchant API request, you must have the following:
- A Merchant Center account: This is the account you will be querying, updating, and uploading data to. Make sure that you have the necessary permissions to manage products and inventories on this account.
- A Google Cloud project: The project is used for getting API access to your account.
- Register at least one user with the API developer role: Link your Merchant Center account to the Google Cloud project by completing a one-time Developer registration. The API developer users of the linked account will receive API communication, including mandatory service announcements, developer surveys, and opportunities.
Authentication with Merchant API
You can use the Google APIs Explorer to run Merchant API requests. APIs Explorer uses Google OAuth 2.0 for authentication. Before running the requests, make sure that the Google OAuth 2.0 checkbox is ticked.
To authenticate using OAuth 2.0, you need to sign in to your Google Account, and then sign in to APIs Explorer. You also need to allow APIs Explorer to manage your product listings and accounts.
Learn more about getting started with Merchant API.
Related links
- Discover Merchant API
- Migrate from Content API for Shopping to Merchant API
- Merchant API service for Apps Script
- Get the latest updates
- Get help with the Merchant API
Need more support?
To get help with your integration to Merchant API, complete the form.