Description: Essential tool for e-commerce that automatically generates updated product catalog files, optimized for synchronization with major external advertising and sales channels.
What is it for? (Practical examples)
This tool is fundamental for those who want to sell or promote their products outside the main e-commerce site.
- Dynamic Retargeting Campaigns: Use it to provide platforms like Facebook and Google Ads with an always up-to-date list of your products, allowing them to automatically show users the products they viewed on your site.
- Google Shopping (Merchant Center): Synchronize your catalog to have your products appear directly in Google search results and Shopping tabs.
- Expansion on TikTok Shop: Generate a feed specifically formatted to meet TikTok’s requirements, including strict management of Brand and Variants.
Main features
The Catalog Synchronizer manages data export automatically and optimally:
- Multiple Formats: Generates the catalog in formats required by platforms (standard XML for Google and TikTok, or CSV).
- Advanced Variant Management: Correctly groups products with variants (e.g. different sizes and colors) under a single parent ID, ensuring each variant has the correct price, image, and availability.
- Real Inventory Data: Automatically updates product availability (
instockoroutof_stock) based on your e-commerce warehouse management. - Image Optimization: Automatically filters out incompatible images (e.g. GIF) and limits the number of additional images (maximum 10) to comply with platform limits such as TikTok.
- Prices and Sales: Exports both standard price and sale/promotion price, allowing advertising platforms to show the best offer.
- Brand and Identifier Management: Ensures each product has a Brand field filled out (essential for TikTok) and includes unique identifiers such as GTIN/EAN and MPN/Product Code.
Feed generation options
Feed configuration is done by defining parameters included in the link provided to the external platform (e.g. Google Merchant Center or Facebook Catalog). This allows creating different feeds for different purposes.
| Option | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Category Filter | Allows including or excluding only certain product categories from the generated feed. | Create a feed just for the "Summer Clothing" category. |
| Feed Type | Specifies the target platform (e.g. googleads, tiktok). This adapts the XML output to required specifications. | Select tiktok to activate Brand and Variant management rules specific to TikTok Shop. |
| Attribute Mapping | Allows specifying which product attribute (e.g. Color, Material) should be mapped into standard variant fields (e.g. color or size) in the feed. | Map internal attribute "Shade" into the standard color field of the feed. |
| Custom Labels | Allows selecting product attributes or category (up to 5 labels) to use as filters for external advertising campaigns. | Use label 0 to include the full category path of the product. |
Automatic integrations
The Catalog Synchronizer works as a dynamic data access point for your e-commerce.
- Synchronization Endpoint: Provides a stable URL (called "endpoint") that advertising platforms (like Google or Facebook) can query at regular intervals.
- Real-Time Updates: Each time the external platform accesses this URL, the system generates a new catalog file, immediately reflecting latest changes in prices, availability, and new products.
Key differences: Standard Feed vs. TikTok
The system generates two main types of XML feeds that differ in how requested data is managed:
- Standard Feed (Google/Facebook): Follows general guidelines of Google Merchant Center.
- TikTok Feed: Applies more restrictive rules and quality controls on data: makes Brand field mandatory and ensures variant management (size, color) and group ID comply with TikTok Shop specifications. It is recommended to use this type of feed when targeting TikTok.
