Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Merchant Center Data Specification Updates for 2026-2027
Google is rolling out new product-level shipping attributes and a video link attribute starting April 2026 to enhance Merchant Center listings. Video validation and serving begin June 30, 2026, while image resolution requirements increase to 500×500 pixels by January 31, 2027. Merchants will receive warnings for non-compliant images and can benefit from Google’s AI-based image optimization to avoid disapprovals.
Optimixed’s Overview: Key Enhancements in Google Merchant Center Product Data for Improved Shopping Experience
New Shipping Attributes Introduced in April 2026
Google Merchant Center now allows merchants to specify detailed shipping options at the product level, aligning with existing account-level features. The updates include:
- Handling Cutoff Time [handling_cutoff_time]: Set daily deadlines for processing orders.
- Minimum Order Value [minimum_order_value]: Define minimum spend required to purchase and ship.
- Loyalty Program Labels [loyalty_program_label] and Loyalty Tier Labels [loyalty_tier_label]: Highlight loyalty shipping benefits on individual products.
Introducing the Video Link Attribute
From April 14, 2026, merchants can submit product videos via the new video_link attribute to better showcase products. Video serving and policy validation begin June 30, 2026, with:
- Policy and quality issues flagged in Merchant Center’s “Needs attention” section.
- Videos with violations prevented from serving but without affecting the product offer’s visibility.
Enhanced Image Quality Standards Effective January 2027
To improve shopper experience, Google raises the minimum image size requirement to 500×500 pixels for the image_link and additional_image_link attributes. Key points include:
- Warnings for images below the threshold start April 14, 2026, with enforcement from January 31, 2027.
- Google will use AI to optimize smaller images to meet standards automatically, reducing disapprovals.
- Optimized images are marked with warnings to help merchants identify and update them if desired.
Merchants should regularly check the Merchant Center’s “Needs attention” section to monitor compliance and take advantage of these new features to enhance product listings and shopper engagement.
