Demoted listings

JefferysJunction · Posts: 465

My feed status states that 231 of my items have been "demoted". But how do I know which items those are? I want to fix the noted issues.

www.jefferysjunction.ecrater.com

JefferysJunction · Posts: 465

Ok, apparently I have to check each individual item through the admin page. Looks like google attributes requires a upc number for every item,
or the phrase "identifier_exists" when a upc number is not available.

www.jefferysjunction.ecrater.com

SheilaDeesPostcards · moderator Posts: 4595

Jeffery, the UPC number is just one of several options for GTINs. If the product doesn't have a GTIN, then you need to add the phrase identifier_exists for the attribute title and no or false for the value. That has been true for several years.

At one time (within the last year) I read you only needed the identifier_exists if your item was used. However, I did a quick search and didn't find that today. Here is a link to give more info on GTIN and what Google wants.
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324461?sjid=14029638659302952923-NA&visit_id=638313546821309569-1074218592&rd=1#zippy=

Also, there isn't a quick way to see all the items affected.

MrsDsHandKnits · Posts: 334

I have found over the years eCrater is the most frustrating site to work with when it comes to attributes. No other selling site creates such issues. I have had items that no matter what attributes were applied, nothing ever got rid of their status of not being accepted. My solution was easy: remove said items from eCrater and list them on my other selling sites.

JefferysJunction · Posts: 465

Almost all the products in my store are now listed as demoted or unapproved. I have a brand posted for every item. I also post a UPC code when available. I post identifier_exists with FALSE as the value when a UPC or MPN are not available.

My ecrater store use to do well but sales have greatly declined since these attribute issues have come up. I can not figure out what I am doing wrong. I sure wish I could post screenshots here to show my issues.

SheilaDeesPostcards · moderator Posts: 4595

I have been told that once an item is demoted or disapproved, it can take 4 weeks or more to get it clear. The new information will be sent on the next feed to Google. The item will be reviewed by a Google Staff menber. If it is accepted, Google will notify eCRATER who will then update the information shown in your store. Needless to say, this will take weeks.

If the item will need a upc # OR the brand and mpn. If you don't have the upc # assigned by the manufacture OR a combination of brand and mpn, then you need to add identifier_exists with a value of false (or no). If you do have a upc, make sure it was assigned by the manufacture and not a store upc. Big chain stores will often assign their own upc# which will not be accepted by GS. Also, if you are selling books, they will need the ISBN number instead of either of the two listed above.

SheilaDeesPostcards · moderator Posts: 4595

@MrsDsHandKnits, I'm not sure what other sites you use, but I do know that every other site on which I list has some form of adding Google Attributes. This is the only site that calls them what they are, Google Attributes. One site calls them Item specifics and does have some that are required or you can't list the item. Another site calls them Product Details and have some that are required. Yet another site calls them Item Details and have some marked with a G and a note that they highly recommend that you add the information if you want your item published to Google Shopping.

thelivesandlovesofmaggiethecat · Posts: 10139

SheilaDeesPostcards · moderator Posts: 4595

To the best of my memory, that did happen to a number of sellers due to a site problem. However, it was quite a long time ago and has not happened since.

One of the things I love about eCRATER is the fact that we are NOT required to pay any attention to GS attributes. We can still list our items, promote our items, and make sales from our eCrater stores. Of course we will probably not be shown in Google Shopping or included in any of the ads eCrater places.

MrsDsHandKnits · Posts: 334

@SheilaDeesPostcards
I list said items on other selling sites because those other sites,no matter what they reference as "Google Attributes", whatever words/descriptive wording that I may use is accepted and there is none of this "NOT APPROVED" applied.
To be honest, I really pay no attention to, nor have I ever paid any attention to whatever this "Google Shopping" is, as generally speaking, my items show up in any Google search and THAT is all that matters to me...
As to other comments about the lack of sales on eCrater, I do not know what has happened to eCrater throughout 2023, but I do know 6 months without my having an order/sale is very good reason to question this site.
and yes I know you get back what you put into it...
however for myself, eBay and Etsy continue to fare better for me.