availabilityAvailability in Google Shopping feeds
- Required
- FeedShine sends
- Worked out from Shopify stock settings
Availability tells Google whether the item can be bought right now. The valid values are in_stock, out_of_stock, backorder and preorder. Google verifies it against your product page, and selling out while the ad says in stock is a fast route to account level trouble.
How this app fills it
- Variants with inventory tracking off are in_stock. Shopify reports zero quantity for them, but they are fully purchasable.
- Tracked variants with stock are in_stock.
- Tracked variants at zero that still allow purchase are backorder.
- Everything else is out_of_stock.
- The Availability field on the Metadata tab can change it with rules, such as preorder for products tagged preorder. Every other product keeps its Stock status.
- Every feed follows the availability master field on the Master fields tab under Settings until it sets its own rule. An override on the Products page sets it for one product.
- Out of stock items stay in the feed by default with the correct label. The Metadata tab can exclude them instead, and a product sent as preorder or backorder then stays in.
Dos
- Keep out of stock items in the feed as out_of_stock. Dropping them causes churn in Merchant Center and re-reviews when they return.
- Use a paid plan's instant updates if stock moves fast. Stale availability is a policy risk.
- Let Shopify's continue selling setting drive backorder status naturally.
- Send preorder only while the product page takes preorders, with an Availability date on the Pricing tab.
Don'ts
- Don't send in_stock for sold out products to keep ads running. Google checks the product page and suspends items that disagree.
- Don't delete sold out products from your store to clean the feed. Excluding them in the app is reversible, deletion is not.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my feed say in stock for items Shopify shows as zero?
Those variants have inventory tracking turned off, which means quantity is meaningless and the item is purchasable. That is correct behavior.
Should out of stock products leave the feed?
Usually no. Keeping them listed as out_of_stock avoids item churn and re-review cycles when stock returns. Exclude them only if your catalog rotates permanently.
How fast do stock changes reach Google?
Free plans refresh the feed daily. Paid plans regenerate within minutes of a change, and API push feeds send the update directly.
Can I send preorder for some products?
Yes. Give availability a rule that sends **Preorder** for those products, for example ones tagged preorder. Set it on the **Master fields** tab under **Settings** for every feed, or on one feed's **Metadata** tab. Only do it while the product page takes preorders.
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