Google Search Console Adds Shipping/Return Details Even Without Merchant Center Account

11/12/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google Enables Shipping & Returns Info Setup Without Merchant Center

Google now allows merchants to add shipping and returns information directly through Google Search Console without needing a Merchant Center account. Alternatively, businesses can implement new organization-level structured data for site-wide shipping policies, simplifying markup management. Settings entered in Search Console take precedence over structured data, and this feature is rolling out globally. This update enhances how merchants communicate policies to Google, improving visibility and control.

Optimixed’s Overview: Streamlined Shipping and Returns Info Integration for Merchants on Google

Expanded Options for Policy Management in Google Search

Google has broadened the ways online merchants can provide critical shipping and returns details to Google Search. Previously, this required a Google Merchant Center account, but now merchants can configure this information directly within Google Search Console. This direct integration is especially beneficial for businesses without Merchant Center accounts, increasing accessibility and control.

Two Methods to Provide Shipping and Returns Information

  • Search Console Configuration: Merchants identified as online retailers can enter their shipping and returns policies through a dedicated interface in Search Console. These settings override any structured data on the site, ensuring that the most accurate information is presented.
  • Organization-Level Structured Data: Google supports new structured data markup specifically for site-wide shipping policies, complementing existing return policy markup. This approach reduces the need to mark up each product individually and is ideal for businesses with uniform shipping terms.

Implementation and Testing

Merchants are encouraged to place the structured data on the page describing their shipping policies, preferably nested under the Organization schema type or its subtypes like OnlineStore or LocalBusiness. Google provides the Rich Results Test tool to validate the markup and ensure it is correctly implemented.

Benefits and Rollout

This update enhances how merchants communicate crucial policies to Google, potentially improving search result accuracy and user trust. The shipping and returns configuration feature is rolling out gradually across all countries and languages, signaling Google’s commitment to supporting merchants worldwide with flexible, easy-to-use tools.