How to Show Deals on Google Shopping

By following these steps, you can help your products stand out from the crowd and potentially boost sales through the power of online deals.

Why Showing Deals Matters

Offering deals attracts new shoppers and retains existing ones. Many actively search for discounts, making them more likely to choose your products over others. Displaying deals on a major search platform can extend your reach.

If you offer a discount, your products may appear with enticing text, encouraging clicks. Coupons or free shipping badges enhance appeal, signaling better value.

In competitive regions, deals like discounts, free shipping, and buy-one-get-one offers help you compete beyond price. Consistent, transparent discounts build trust, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

Getting Set Up with a Merchant Platform

Before you can display any deals, you typically need to manage your product listings in a central platform (often known as a merchant or product center).

This is where you can:

• Upload your products in a standardized format.
• Ensure your item details (like title, description, and photos) meet specific quality guidelines.
• Keep prices accurate and consistent (so deals are shown as valid discounts).

Once your products are in that platform, there is usually an option to configure deals or promotions of some kind.

This can come in different forms, but many times it’s an extra feature you can switch on if you meet certain requirements.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Each platform has its own criteria, but you often need to:

1. Sell products in certain countries or regions where these deal features are supported.
2. Have an approved store or website that is not a marketplace (meaning you are the primary seller).
3. Ensure your products follow policy guidelines for pricing, images, and checkout processes.

Sometimes, the feature is automatically available if your account meets the rules. Other times, you must complete a manual setup. It helps to take a few minutes to confirm that you’re eligible and that you understand all the policies around promotions.

Activating Deals Features

Once you know you’re eligible, the next step is to activate any “Promotions” or “Deals” toggles that might be found in your merchant account’s dashboard.

This generally involves:

1. Logging into your product center or merchant account.
2. Locating a settings menu or add-ons page.
3. Finding the deals or promotions module.
4. Clicking an “Activate” or similar button to access the feature.

This process is usually straightforward and will unlock extra fields where you can add details about your offers, redemption codes, etc. This feature can also be useful if you decide to expand your deals to other marketing channels later on.

Creating a Promotion

When the deals feature is unlocked, you can often add a promotion in several ways. A common method is to use a builder or wizard tool that guides you step-by-step. Another method might be uploading a list or feed of promotions in spreadsheet form. A third possibility (if you are technically inclined) is linking it through an API.

Typical Steps in the Builder

1. Provide a short promo title and a more detailed description.
2. Choose the type of deal, such as “Percent off,” “Cash discount,” or “Buy one get one.”
3. Enter the date range during which the promotion is valid.
4. Specify any discount codes that customers need at checkout.
5. Confirm which products the deal applies to.

Make sure to follow rules such as showing the minimum discount value clearly.

For example, if you indicate “Save up to 15%,” many platforms require that you also state the minimum discount, such as “Save 10-15%.”

Dealing with Review Processes

After you set up a promotion, it may undergo a review to ensure it adheres to any policy or editorial guidelines. For example, the system might verify that your discount is genuine and not misleading, or that your promo code is entered correctly. This review process can take between 12 to 24 hours (or longer) before the deal is officially visible. If the platform identifies any issues, it might disapprove the promotion.

Understanding Deal Criteria

If your deal does not follow certain guidelines, it might either be flagged, require adjustments, or stay hidden.

Generally, rules include:

• The discount must be real and valid.
• A clear start and end date must be provided (typically within six months).
• The deal should be applicable at checkout or by the time payment is made.
• Platforms often limit the number of active promotions you can have at once.

Always check that your discount or promo code offers the benefit you state. If the discount is already included in your base price, you may be violating rules about showing the same price as a deal. Also, avoid overly restrictive offers (for example, offering the discount only to a very small group of customers), as some platforms do not allow that.

Types of Deals You Can Offer

Below is a simplified table that covers common deal types along with some guidelines.

Certain promotions may be disallowed, such as stating “Up to X% off” without clarifying a minimum discount.

Also, some platforms do not allow deals that run longer than six months, so plan your promo duration carefully.

Bullet Points for Allowed Deals

• Minimum discount thresholds (for example, $5 off or 5% off)
• Clear and accurate coupon codes if needed
• An end date for the promotion set within a fixed window
• Simple redemption instructions

Bullet Points for Disallowed Deals

• Vague wording like “Up to 70% off” without stating the actual minimum discount
• Discounts restricted to a very narrow group of customers
• Offers lasting longer than 183 days
• Claims that cannot be verified or are misleading

How Deals Show Up for Shoppers

Once approved, your deals may appear in various ways. Shoppers could see a “Special offer” tag or an icon indicating that there is a discount or promotion. They might also notice the original price crossed out next to the discounted price.

The “Deals” Section in Some Regions

In certain areas, there is even a dedicated deals page that appears when users search for “shop deals.” This page showcases multiple on-sale products from different stores. As long as your discount follows the guidelines, your product is considered automatically.

You generally won’t need to do anything special for that listing if you have already set up the promotion. This setup can be beneficial for exposure, since buyers looking for bargains often head straight to that section to find current sales. The advantage of a dedicated deals filter is that shoppers are already interested in finding lower prices.

Managing Automated Deal Feeds

Some systems support an automatic way of pulling discounts directly from your website. With this method, the platform scans your product pages to find any active promos or coupon codes. If you opt for this, it can help keep your posted deals current with little manual work. Keep in mind that this feature might only be available for sites that meet certain technical requirements.

If your site is not structured in a way that the platform can easily read, you might need a manual feed or to use the builder approach. Also, it is important to update your site’s promotional details regularly to prevent displaying incorrect deals.

Policy Reminders

While it may be tempting to try out creative marketing tactics, always be aware that each platform has guidelines designed to protect shoppers from confusion or misleading information.

If your deals or product listings are seen as deceptive or break any rules, they might be disapproved or limited in visibility.

A few quick reminders:

• Do not advertise a discount that does not actually lower the price compared to your usual rate.
• Avoid manipulating the promotional period (for example, repeatedly extending a “limited time offer”).
• Do not display a free shipping label if there is an additional fee applied.
• Do not present a promotion as special if it is essentially the normal price.

Sticking to clear and honest promotions helps maintain a good reputation with the platform and builds customer trust. Buyers are quick to share negative experiences if an offer does not live up to the advertisement.

Tips for Success with Your Deals

Managing deals is not just a one-time setup.

Consider these tips to obtain the best results:

1. Run A/B tests.

• Experiment with different promo types to see which one connects with customers.
• For example, compare “10% off sitewide” to “$10 off a $50 purchase.”

2. Update regularly.

• Change your deals so returning customers see something new.
• Avoid using the same promotion repeatedly until it loses appeal.

3. Emphasize urgency.

• Time-limited offers can motivate customers to act quickly.
• Clearly show how long the offer lasts, and be honest about the dates.

4. Combine shipping deals with direct price discounts when allowed.

• For example, “Free shipping on orders over $50 plus 10% off” can give buyers extra incentive.

5. Watch your margins.

• Avoid heavy discounts that may lead to losses on each sale.

It is important to be clear about any conditions tied to your deals or discount codes. For example, if you state “Free gift with purchase,” specify whether the gift is automatically added or if the customer must enter a code at checkout.

Common Mistakes People Make

It is easy to run into a few issues when trying to show deals on a large platform.

Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

• Forgetting to test the promo code. Always check that your code works properly before making the promotion public.
• Not setting an end date. Many systems require an expiration date; without one, your deal might not show up.
• Making the deal too restrictive. If buyers need to complete too many steps or use specific payment methods, the platform might reject your offer.
• Overusing terms like “free” or “100% off” when they do not apply, which can result in quick flagging.

Keeping Track of Performance

To see if your deals are effective, keep an eye on clicks, conversions, or overall sales.

Most merchant or advertising dashboards offer at least basic reporting.

Consider checking:

• The number of extra clicks during the promotion compared to usual.
• The bounce rate for those visits to determine if your promo page is engaging.
• The return on investment to understand if your discounts are actually increasing sales.

Some deals might attract browsers who do not buy, while other promotions might win over serious buyers who complete transactions more frequently. Over time, adjust your offers to tune in to what works best.

Troubleshooting Deal Display Issues

Sometimes a deal might not appear as expected.

If this occurs:

• Check that your products are active and approved in your feed.
• Verify that your deal’s start date has arrived.
• Look for any error messages in your merchant center related to your promotion.
• Confirm that your discount code is correct and free of any extra spaces.

If you suspect your promotion is being rejected because of policy issues, review the guidelines again to ensure you are following them. Common issues include offering a discount that does not match the actual price or neglecting to state a minimum purchase requirement.

Example Scenario: Discounting a New Clothing Collection

Consider a scenario where a clothing store sets up a discount:

• The store uploads a new line of fall jackets to its product feed.
• After verifying that everything is approved, the store opts to offer “10% off new arrivals.”
• They log into the promotions tool.
• They create a discount valid for one month, from September 1st to September 30th.
• They confirm that the discount code “FALL10” works properly at checkout.
• They list the specific SKUs that are eligible while excluding older items.
• The promotion is reviewed, and after about a day, a “Special offer” or discount label appears alongside these items.

Refining Your Approach Over Time

Deals do not have to be a one-off event. You can try different discount percentages or include freebies. You might schedule a short 48-hour flash sale, or run a weekend offer with free shipping. Each approach can yield its own results, and over time you may notice which offers your customers prefer. If you find that your margins are too tight for certain deals, consider reducing the discount.

It is better to maintain a sustainable promotion that can be regularly offered rather than losing profit or running out of stock.

Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Your Deals Noticed

Showing deals online can attract more shoppers and increase sales. Here’s a quick guide to understanding how it works.

Why should I display deals on my products?

Many shoppers look for discounts, and having a deal badge or strike-through pricing can make your products stand out, leading to more clicks and potential sales.

How do I start displaying deals?

You need to manage your product listings in a merchant platform, ensure eligibility, and activate available promotions or deal features within your account.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Typically, you must sell in supported regions, operate your own online store (not a marketplace seller), and meet pricing, image, and checkout policy guidelines.

How do I activate deal features?

Log into your merchant account, find the promotions settings, and enable the deals module to start configuring discounts and offers.

What types of deals can I offer?

Common options include percentage discounts, cash savings, buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers, free gifts, and free shipping, each following platform-specific rules.

How are deals reviewed and approved?

Most platforms review promotions to ensure they meet guidelines, which can take up to 24 hours; misleading or invalid discounts may be rejected.

Why isn’t my deal showing up?

Check that your promotion is approved, your product listings are active, your discount code works correctly, and your deal’s start date has arrived.

How can I track my deal’s performance?

Use your platform’s reporting tools to monitor clicks, conversions, and sales, helping refine future promotions for better results.

What are common mistakes to avoid?

Ensure your discount is real, your promo code functions properly, your deal has a clear expiration date, and your terms are easy to understand.

How often should I update my promotions?

Refreshing deals regularly keeps shoppers engaged and prevents fatigue from seeing the same offers repeatedly, leading to better long-term results.