---
title: "Google Shopping Ads: A Beginner's Guide (2026)"
description: "What Google Shopping ads are, how they work, what they cost and how to set up your first campaign, plus how to check each product makes a profit."
canonical: "https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/google-shopping-ads-beginners-guide"
pageType: article
language: en
publisher: "Product Metrics"
author: "Berend Vrakking"
datePublished: 2026-10-15
dateModified: 2026-10-15
image: "https://www.productmetrics.io/og/blog/google-shopping-ads-beginners-guide.png"
---

> Content index: https://www.productmetrics.io/llms.txt

# Google Shopping Ads: A Beginner's Guide (2026)

## Key takeaways

- Shopping ads show a product photo, title, price and store name. Google matches searches to product data rather than a keyword list you choose.
- Merchant Center is free, and eligible products can appear in free listings. Standard Shopping ads charge per click; Performance Max also uses other formats and billing models.
- Set up your website, Merchant Center, product data, approvals, campaign and measurement before spending. Initial Shopping reviews can take up to 3–5 business days.
- Check each product against its own break-even ROAS: 1 ÷ contribution margin before advertising. At a 25% margin, break-even ROAS is 4. The free break-even ROAS calculator does the arithmetic.
- Use the free first 90 days checklist (PDF, no email needed) to work through eligibility, measurement, the first campaign and product-level reviews in order.

**Google Shopping ads are product listings, with a photo, title, price and store name, that Google builds from your product data rather than from keywords you choose.** Before you spend, you need three things: accurate product data, a way to measure purchases and a clear idea of what each sale can afford in advertising, expressed as a break-even [ROAS](https://www.productmetrics.io/glossary/roas).

This beginner's guide walks through the setup, the campaign choices and a profit calculation you can check yourself. Two free tools come with it: the [break-even ROAS calculator](https://www.productmetrics.io/break-even-roas-calculator) and a printable [first 90 days checklist (PDF)](https://www.productmetrics.io/downloads/google-shopping-first-90-days.pdf), with no email needed. All euro examples are illustrative, with revenue excluding VAT. For the broader product-level workflow, see our [Google Shopping ads overview](https://www.productmetrics.io/google-shopping-ads).

## 1. What are Google Shopping ads?

**A Google Shopping ad shows one product, with its photo, title, price and store name, in Google's results.** Google matches searches to your product data, so you do not write the ad or pick its keywords.

Shoppers can compare the product and its price before visiting your shop. That does not guarantee a sale: delivery charges, stock, the landing page and competing offers still matter.

| Part of the listing | What the shopper learns |
| --- | --- |
| Product photo | What the product looks like |
| Title | The model, type and relevant variant |
| Price | The advertised price before clicking |
| Store name | Which business is selling it |

A text Search ad typically uses copy you write and keywords you select. Shopping ads draw on the feed. **Your product data is a central part of your targeting.** It is not the only input: campaign settings and Google's other signals also influence delivery. Google's [Shopping ads overview](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2454022?hl=en-AU) explains the distinction.

**In short:** a Shopping ad is a product listing built from your product data, so the quality of that data matters more than clever ad copy.

## 2. How do Google Shopping ads work?

**Your product feed, Merchant Center, Google Ads and the shopper's search connect in four stages.**

**From product data to a Shopping ad**

1. **Product feed.** Your shop sends product titles, images, prices, stock and identifiers. Keep the data aligned with the website.
2. **Merchant Center.** Google reads the product data and checks eligibility. Resolve product and account issues here.
3. **Google Ads.** Link Merchant Center, choose a campaign type, select products and set your budget and bidding strategy.
4. **Shopper and auction.** Google matches the search to eligible products. The auction determines whether an ad shows; a click takes the shopper to the product page.

A [product feed](https://www.productmetrics.io/glossary/product-feed) is simply structured information about what you sell. Your platform can send it automatically, or you can maintain a supported file. [Merchant Center](https://www.productmetrics.io/glossary/google-merchant-center) manages that information; Google Ads manages the paid campaign. Our guide to [what Google Merchant Center is](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/what-is-google-merchant-center) covers the account in more detail.

A useful title names the product and its distinguishing details. “Running shoe” tells Google and the shopper less than a title with the correct brand, model, size and colour. Describe the actual product; do not add unrelated search terms.

The [Shopping optimisation guide](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/optimize-google-shopping-ads) covers feed improvements in detail. For your first campaign, start with accuracy rather than trying to perfect every attribute. The four stages above cover the essentials for your first campaign. Google explains the [ad auction](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/142918?hl=en-GB) separately.

**In short:** feed, Merchant Center, Google Ads and the auction connect in a line. Fix the data at the start of it.

## 3. Free listings or paid Shopping ads?

**Merchant Center is free, and eligible products can appear in free listings. Paid campaigns add advertising on top.** Approval does not guarantee impressions for either route.

| | Free listings | Paid Shopping ads |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising cost | No charge for the listing | Advertising charges apply |
| Setup | Merchant Center and eligible product data | Also a linked Google Ads account and campaign |
| Control | Product information and eligibility | Also budget, bidding strategy and product selection |
| Useful first goal | Check eligibility and organic product traffic | Test whether paid traffic produces worthwhile sales |

Google's [free listings guidance](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13889434?hl=en) describes eligibility across surfaces including Search, Shopping, Images and, in supported circumstances, YouTube. Availability varies by surface and country.

Our recommendation: get the products eligible and understand their margins before adding paid traffic. Free listings can bring visits, but success there does not prove that paying for clicks will be profitable. For the wider operating side, including policies, logistics and weekly reviews, see [selling on Google Shopping](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/selling-on-google-shopping).

> **Sidenote:** **Myth:** "Free listings mean I never need ads." Free listings cost nothing per click, but Google does not guarantee that a product appears in them, and you cannot buy extra visibility there.

**In short:** Merchant Center and eligible product data come first. Paid ads are an optional layer on top.

## 4. Standard Shopping or Performance Max?

**Standard Shopping focuses on Shopping placements; Performance Max uses more Google channels and automates more campaign decisions.** Both can use the products in Merchant Center.

| Decision | Standard Shopping | Performance Max |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reach | Shopping tab, Search, Images and optional search partners | Broader access, including Search, YouTube, Display and Gmail |
| Bidding | Manual and automated options | Automated bidding towards conversion goals |
| Organisation | Product groups | Asset groups |
| Formats | Primarily product ads, including eligible local formats | Product ads plus text, image, video and other formats |
| Charging | Cost per click | Depends on the format, including clicks or impressions |

These distinctions follow Google's [campaign comparison](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2454022?hl=en-AU). Performance Max is a campaign type, not another name for a Shopping ad: its total results can include activity outside Shopping placements.

**Our starting advice:** choose Standard Shopping if you want to learn the feed, search terms and product-group controls first. Consider Performance Max if wider reach and automated bidding suit your goals and your purchase measurement is dependable. This is a practical recommendation, not a Google requirement. Both provide product reporting.

Avoid spreading a small budget across many campaigns before you have useful evidence. Our [Performance Max guide for ecommerce](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/performance-max-for-ecommerce) explains when product labels and separate groups help. Google announced that [Smart Shopping campaigns would be upgraded to Performance Max](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/upgrade-to-performance-max/) between July and September 2022, with no new Smart Shopping campaigns after that, so skip tutorials built around creating one.

**In short:** start with Standard Shopping to learn the controls, then add Performance Max when you have reliable purchase data.

## 5. How do I set up my first Google Shopping campaign?

**Work through six steps: website, Merchant Center, product data, approvals, campaign, then measurement and budget.** Do the profit calculation in section 7 before launching.

### Step 1: Check your website and policies

Google checks your website as well as your data. Start with these essentials:

| Check | What needs to agree |
| --- | --- |
| Product page | Correct product, variant, image, price and availability |
| Checkout | Customers can buy the advertised product on the stated terms |
| Delivery | Charges and delivery information match your actual service |
| Returns and contact | Reachable business details and an accessible return/refund policy, including any restrictions |

Make your return and refund policy easy to find on your website, even if you do not accept returns ([Merchant Center guidelines](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12756116?hl=en)). Providing a [return policy](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/14011730?hl=en) in Merchant Center is optional. If you provide one, Google says it must be accessible without logging in, signing up or entering personal information, and consistent across Merchant Center and your website. Read the [landing-page requirements](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265?hl=en) and [Shopping policies](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6149970?hl=en) before uploading restricted products.

In many countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, Google's [price attribute guide](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324371?hl=en) says the submitted price must include VAT and match the landing page. Keep that customer-facing price distinct from the revenue excluding VAT used in this guide's margin calculations.

### Step 2: Create your Merchant Center account

Follow Google's [Merchant Center onboarding](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12159157?hl=en-GB). Add business information, verify and claim the website as instructed, then configure the countries and delivery settings relevant to your shop, plus return settings if you choose to provide them.

Use an account your business controls and check who has administrative access. If Merchant Center already exists through a platform integration or agency, inspect that setup before creating another account.

### Step 3: Add your products

**Choose a data source you can keep current when prices and stock change.**

| Method | When it helps | Responsibility |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shop-platform integration | Your platform supports your target country and currency | Check sync status, variants and eligibility |
| File or Google Sheet | A small, manageable product range | Maintain accurate data and reliable updates |
| Feed-management tool | Many products or substantial transformations | Check mapping rules and the final submitted values |

Do not assume that installing a connector makes every product eligible. Check its supported markets and currencies, then inspect a few products in Merchant Center against their actual pages.

Google's [product data specification](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112?hl=en) lists the required and conditional fields. Core data includes a stable ID, title, description, link, image, price and availability. Brand, identifiers and variant attributes depend on the product. Submit a [GTIN](https://www.productmetrics.io/glossary/gtin) when the manufacturer has assigned one; never invent identifiers.

### Step 4: Resolve errors and wait for review

Open **Products → Needs attention** in Merchant Center. Read each issue's affected products and marketing methods: an issue may block Shopping ads, free listings or both. Fix price mismatches, missing attributes and unsuitable images at the source.

Google's [Merchant Center issues guide](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12153802?hl=en) says the initial review can take up to 3–5 business days for Shopping ads. Treat that as planning guidance, not a promised launch date. Check the account's actual status before enabling spend.

### Step 5: Link Google Ads and create the campaign

Link the correct Google Ads account to Merchant Center. For Standard Shopping, use Google's [Shopping campaign instructions](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/3455481?hl=en-GB): create a campaign, choose Shopping, select the Merchant Center account and complete the campaign settings.

Before enabling spend, record these Standard Shopping settings:

| Setting | Launch check |
| --- | --- |
| Merchant Center and country | Correct business account and countries you deliver to |
| Products | Eligible products in the initial product group; inspect any exclusions |
| Locations | Delivery coverage matches the campaign's targeted locations |
| Bidding and budget | Chosen strategy and average daily budget recorded; spending risk understood |
| Purchase goals | Correct purchase action, value and currency tested in your measurement setup |

Keep the campaign paused until the checks in step 6 pass. A product group selects products; it does not give them an independent campaign budget.

For Performance Max, follow the separate [campaign setup and goals instructions](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/15863850?hl=en). Review location targeting, product selection and goals carefully. The two campaign types have different setup paths.

### Step 6: Verify purchases, then choose a budget

**Check purchase measurement before launch.** A campaign that counts page views as sales cannot tell you whether products cover their advertising costs.

| Measurement check | What to confirm |
| --- | --- |
| Purchase action | A completed purchase is recorded in your measurement setup |
| Value and currency | The correct order amount and currency are sent |
| Duplicate events | The same order is not counted twice |
| Revenue basis | VAT, delivery and refunds are handled consistently with your margin calculation |

If you are unfamiliar with conversion tracking, Google's [campaign setup instructions](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/15863850?hl=en) suggest reviewing its website conversion tracking guide before you set goals. Make a test order and verify the purchase event, value and currency through your platform's diagnostics; check attributed reporting once real ad conversions arrive.

Choose a test budget that fits your finances. Use the [break-even ROAS calculator](https://www.productmetrics.io/break-even-roas-calculator) to understand the minimum return your margin needs. A break-even calculation does not mean you must immediately enter a [target ROAS](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/target-roas-from-margin) into Google Ads; the appropriate bidding setup also depends on the campaign and available conversion evidence.

**In short:** six steps, in order: website, Merchant Center, products, approvals, campaign, then measurement and budget.

## 6. How much do Google Shopping ads cost?

**Standard Shopping charges per click, with the [auction determining the price](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/142918?hl=en-GB). There is no universal CPC or profitable starting budget.** Performance Max also buys other ad formats, so do not treat every euro of its campaign spend as a Shopping click.

An average daily budget is an average. Google explains that most campaigns can spend up to twice it on a particular day, with a monthly limit generally based on 30.4 times that budget. Budget changes affect the calculation. Read [average daily budgets](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/6385083?hl=en) before treating €10 as a daily ceiling.

### A €10 example that loses money

These numbers are illustrative assumptions, not CPC or conversion-rate benchmarks.

| Input | Assumption |
| --- | --- |
| Average CPC | €0.40 |
| Clicks that become orders | 2% |
| Average order value, excluding VAT | €60.00 |
| [Contribution margin](https://www.productmetrics.io/glossary/contribution-margin) before advertising | 25%, or €15.00 per order |
| Advertising spend in the example | €10.00 |

€10 buys 25 clicks at this assumed CPC. At a 2% conversion rate, that means **0.5 expected orders**, not a promise of half an order each day. Over repeated comparable periods, the expected revenue is €30 and ROAS is 3 (€30 ÷ €10).

Contribution before advertising is €7.50. Subtract the €10 ad cost and the result is **a €2.50 loss before fixed costs**. Calling this €7.50 “gross profit” would hide the distinction between product cost and the other variable costs already deducted.

The break-even CPC is €15 contribution per order × 2% conversion rate = **€0.30**. At €0.40, the assumed orders cost too much. Test your own assumptions with the [Google Ads budget calculator](https://www.productmetrics.io/google-ads-budget-calculator).

**In short:** you cannot know the cost per click in advance. Work out the break-even CPC for your own margin and conversion rate instead.

## 7. Is each product making money?

**Each product has its own break-even ROAS: 1 ÷ contribution margin before advertising.** The [break-even calculator](https://www.productmetrics.io/break-even-roas-calculator) works it out from your price and costs.

Contribution margin here means revenue excluding VAT, minus cost of goods and variable costs such as fulfilment, payment fees and expected returns, divided by that revenue. Advertising is excluded at this stage so you can calculate what it can afford. Fixed overheads are also excluded.

For the same margin basis, [POAS](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/poas-vs-roas) = ROAS × contribution margin. Break-even POAS is 1. Above 1 leaves contribution after advertising, before fixed costs.

> **Sidenote:** **Formula:** break-even ROAS = 1 ÷ contribution margin. POAS = ROAS × contribution margin, so break-even POAS is 1.

**Figure: A ROAS of 3.5 does not mean the same profit.** Product A needs a ROAS of 5 to break even; products B and C cover advertising at a ROAS of 3.5. Fixed costs still need paying.

| Product and contribution margin | Break-even ROAS | Achieved ROAS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Product A · 20% | 5.00 | 3.50 |
| Product B · 35% | 2.86 | 3.50 |
| Product C · 50% | 2.00 | 3.50 |

_Source: Illustrative data. Break-even ROAS = 1 ÷ contribution margin before advertising; rounded to two decimals._

| Product | Margin before ads | Break-even ROAS | Achieved ROAS | POAS | After ads, before fixed costs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A | 20% | 5.00 | 3.50 | 0.70 | Loss |
| B | 35% | 2.86 | 3.50 | 1.23 | Positive contribution |
| C | 50% | 2.00 | 3.50 | 1.75 | Positive contribution |

*Illustrative data; displayed ratios are rounded.*

At a 25% margin, break-even ROAS is 4. In a target ROAS field that is **400%**, but covering ad spend alone leaves nothing for fixed costs or profit. Use [a margin-based target](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/target-roas-from-margin) with room above that floor.

**Break-even verdict calculator.** Enter the price excl. VAT, cost of goods, other variable costs per order and your current ROAS to see whether ads pay for themselves.

- Contribution margin = (price − cost of goods − other variable costs) ÷ price
- Break-even ROAS = 1 ÷ contribution margin
- POAS = ROAS × contribution margin (1.00 is break-even)
- Left per €100 of revenue after ads = 100 × contribution margin − 100 ÷ ROAS
- Target ROAS (%) = 100 ÷ (contribution margin − profit kept), using fractions for margin and profit kept

Example (illustrative data):

| Input or result | Example |
| --- | --- |
| Price excl. VAT | €60.00 |
| Cost of goods | €35.00 |
| Other variable costs per order | €10.00 |
| Contribution per order | €15.00 |
| Contribution margin | 25.0% |
| Break-even ROAS | 4 |
| Current ROAS | 3 |
| POAS | 0.75 |
| Left per €100 of revenue after ads | -€8.33 |
| Target ROAS to keep 0% of revenue as profit | 400.00% |

Verdict: Below break-even: ROAS 3 is under the 4 you need. After ads you lose €8.33 of every €100 of revenue. With no profit kept, target ROAS is 400.00%, equivalent to the break-even ROAS. A bidding target does not guarantee break-even; compare achieved return on the same revenue and cost basis.

_Illustrative data: a €60.00 order leaves €15.00 before ads. At a ROAS of 3, advertising costs €20.00 per order, leaving a €5.00 loss before fixed costs._

Try your own numbers in the [break-even ROAS calculator](https://www.productmetrics.io/break-even-roas-calculator).

Review spend and conversion value per product. Allow for conversion delay, refunds and small sample sizes before changing priority. A product with weak direct sales may also lead to purchases of other products, so inspect that journey before excluding it.

For many products, [Product Segmentation](https://www.productmetrics.io/product-segmentation) groups performance by advertising clicks and return, using ROAS or POAS. It writes the labels you approve to Merchant Center for configured campaigns to use. Connect margin data to assess POAS; a ROAS segment alone does not establish profit. It does not independently change your budgets.

**In short:** the same ROAS can lose money on one product and earn on another. Compare each product with its own break-even.

## 8. Seven mistakes beginners make

**Most expensive mistakes start with unreliable data or a target that ignores costs.** Use this table when a campaign disappoints.

| Mistake | Better first action |
| --- | --- |
| Feed and website disagree | Fix the source of the price, availability or variant mismatch |
| Ignoring Needs attention | Check the affected products and marketing methods |
| Optimising towards the wrong conversion | Verify purchase events, values, currency and duplicates |
| Applying one profitability target to every product | Compare each product's return with its own margin |
| Judging success by account ROAS alone | Review product-level contribution and purchase journeys |
| Changing several settings or reacting too early | Record changes and allow for conversion delay and uncertainty |
| Leaving delivery, fees or returns out of costs | Include the variable costs your business actually carries |

There is no universal “leave bids untouched for two weeks” rule. Fix broken tracking or disapprovals promptly; give performance experiments time appropriate to the sales cycle and amount of evidence. Our [Google Shopping management guide](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/google-shopping-management) explains the ongoing review.

**In short:** most beginner losses trace back to bad data or one target applied to every product.

## 9. Your first 90 days

**Treat these stages as a working checklist, not deadlines Google guarantees.** An approval delay or too few purchases means moving more slowly.

| When | What to do | Move on when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Week 1 | Align website and feed; check website return/refund disclosure; configure delivery and optional Merchant Center return settings; resolve blocking issues; calculate margins | Products are eligible and you understand what a sale can afford |
| Weeks 2–4 | Verify purchases; launch a focused test; check spend and feed issues regularly; log changes | Measurement works and you have relevant traffic to assess |
| Month 2 | Review product-level return and conversion delay; inspect search terms and add relevant exclusions in Standard Shopping | You can distinguish a data problem from a performance problem |
| Month 3 | Increase priority where contribution and evidence support it; investigate or lower priority elsewhere | Decisions use margins, stock and purchase journeys, rather than account averages |

[Download the first 90 days checklist (PDF)](https://www.productmetrics.io/downloads/google-shopping-first-90-days.pdf). No email required. The downloadable version has one tick box per task for each stage, plus space to record your margin, test budget and review dates.

**In short:** move on when the evidence says so, not when the calendar does.

## Next step: optimise what you set up

Start by checking your product data and one product's [break-even ROAS](https://www.productmetrics.io/break-even-roas-calculator). Once the campaign measures purchases reliably, continue with [how to optimise Google Shopping ads](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/optimize-google-shopping-ads) for the ongoing feed and product-priority decisions.

## Sources

Google Help pages and announcements, opened on 15 October 2026.

- Google Ads Help: [About Shopping ads](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/2454022?hl=en-AU), [Create a Shopping campaign](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/3455481?hl=en-GB), [Performance Max campaign setup and goals](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/15863850?hl=en), [About average daily budgets](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/6385083?hl=en).
- Google Merchant Center Help: [Free listings](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13889434?hl=en), [Merchant Center onboarding](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12159157?hl=en-GB), [Product data specification](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7052112?hl=en), [Price attribute](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324371?hl=en), [Return policies](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/14011730?hl=en), [Landing page requirements](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/4752265?hl=en), [Shopping policies](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6149970?hl=en), [Merchant Center issues](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/12153802?hl=en).
- Google Ads and Commerce blog: [Get ready for Smart Shopping and Local campaign upgrades](https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/upgrade-to-performance-max/).
- All euro figures in the worked examples are illustrative assumptions, not benchmarks. No third-party product screenshot is reproduced.

## Frequently asked questions

### What are Google Shopping ads?

Google Shopping ads are product listings with a photo, title, price and store name. Google builds them using your product data rather than a keyword list you choose. Standard Shopping campaigns charge when someone clicks through to your landing page.

### How do Google Shopping ads work?

Send your products to Merchant Center, link it to Google Ads and create a Shopping or Performance Max campaign. Google uses the product data to match relevant searches and an auction determines whether the ad shows. Measure purchases as well as clicks to assess the results.

### Is Google Shopping free?

Partly. Merchant Center is free, and eligible products can appear in free listings without paying for ads, though Google does not guarantee that they show. Shopping ads are paid advertising: they need a linked Google Ads account, a budget and a campaign, and Standard Shopping charges per click.

### How much do Google Shopping ads cost?

There is no fixed cost per click: an auction determines it. You choose a budget. Standard Shopping campaigns charge per click, while Performance Max can incur costs through other formats too. Check whether contribution before advertising covers the cost of acquiring orders.

### Is €10 a day enough for Google Shopping?

It can fund a small test, but it is not a universal recommendation. At an illustrative €0.40 per click, €10 buys 25 clicks. Spread that across many products and there may be too little evidence to judge them. An average daily budget is not a hard daily spending cap.

### Do I need a Merchant Center account?

Yes, for the Shopping campaign setup described here. Merchant Center holds your product data, checks it for issues and connects it to Google Ads. Eligible products can also appear in free listings through the same account, so setting it up is useful even before you decide to pay for clicks.

### Should I use Standard Shopping or Performance Max?

Start with Standard Shopping if you want to learn feed, search-term and product-group controls first. Consider Performance Max when you want automated bidding across more Google channels and have dependable purchase measurement. This is our judgement, not a Google rule. Both offer product reporting, and neither guarantees profitable sales.

### Does Google Shopping still exist?

Yes. Google Shopping ads run through Standard Shopping and Performance Max campaigns, and eligible products can also appear in free listings. Google announced in 2022 that Smart Shopping campaigns would be upgraded to Performance Max, so ignore tutorials that tell you to create one and follow current Standard Shopping or Performance Max instructions.

## Keep reading.

- [How Google Shopping ads work, from feed to sale](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/how-google-shopping-ads-work)
- [Google Merchant Center suspended for misrepresentation: a dropshipper's checklist](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/google-merchant-center-suspended-misrepresentation)
- [Selling on Google Shopping: The 2026 Playbook](https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/selling-on-google-shopping)

---

Written by Berend Vrakking, founder of Product Metrics. Last updated 2026-10-15.

HTML version: https://www.productmetrics.io/blog/google-shopping-ads-beginners-guide