Something new on Admin page

[elisia]

Each item now has a box to the left of the listing (under hits). When you click on it, there is a checkmark.

What is the purpose of this addition?

[jonunsthisandthat]

I don't see any boxes under "hits" on my administrative page.

[homeandbodyessence]

It's because your Google Variants option is enable (Options -> Enable Google Variants). I copied and pasted a copy of eCrater's explanation from the ? box below:

"If you sell products that differ only on sizes, colors, materials or patterns then Google requires you to flag these as variants. Enabling this option will cause checkboxes to appear in front of your listings in the product menu. You can select up to 40 products and link these as Google Variants. eCRATER will use this information and will submit it when creating your store feed to Google."

[elisia]

That makes sense. So, if I have 4 different listings for same jacket, just 4 different sizes, I would link them this way.

Would be great to view that on Google.

So, what if I had several items that were identical, just a difference in the size, for instance. How would Google know to combine but keep separate. I would have those checked, as well.

[dccollectibles]

Have we ever received a definate answer whether this applies to all variants or just clothing? Toy manufacturers are well known for producing variant color repaints/resculpts for collectors lines, with many sharing the same upc code and mpn. I know I see them all being grouped together frequently at shopping (when I bother to look anyway--that place gets you crazy real fast).