How to Set Up Google Shopping Campaigns

Google Shopping campaigns are one of the most effective ways for eCommerce brands to showcase their products to customers who are actively searching for what they sell. Unlike traditional text ads, Shopping campaigns display your products with images, prices, and store information directly in Google search results. When set up correctly, they can drive highly qualified traffic, improve visibility, and increase sales. This guide explains how to set up a Google Shopping campaign step by step and optimize it for success.

Category:
Paid Media Strategy
Date:
November 23, 2025
Step 1. Create a Google Merchant Center Account

The first step is to create a Google Merchant Center (GMC) account. This is the platform where you upload your product information and connect your online store to Google.

  1. Visit merchants.google.com.
  2. Sign in with your Google account and follow the prompts to add your business name, country, and website URL.
  3. Verify and claim your website domain.
  4. Set up your shipping and tax information according to your business policies.

Google uses this information to ensure your listings comply with its requirements and appear accurately in search results.

Step 2. Upload Your Product Feed

Your product feed is a file that contains details about each product you sell, such as title, price, image, description, availability, and link.

You can upload your feed manually, use Google Sheets, or connect your eCommerce platform directly if you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.

Make sure your product data is accurate and regularly updated. The more detailed and precise your product information, the better your ads will perform.

Step 3. Link Merchant Center with Google Ads

After your product feed is approved, link your Google Merchant Center account with your Google Ads account.

  1. Go to your Merchant Center dashboard.
  2. Click on the settings icon in the top right corner.
  3. Choose Linked Accounts and select Google Ads.
  4. Approve the link from your Google Ads account.

This connection allows Google to pull product data from your feed and display it as Shopping ads.

Step 4. Create a Shopping Campaign

Now that your accounts are connected, you can create your first Shopping campaign.

  1. In Google Ads, click on New Campaign.
  2. Choose your objective, such as Sales or Leads.
  3. Select Shopping as the campaign type.
  4. Choose your linked Merchant Center account and target country.
  5. Select a campaign subtype:
    • Standard Shopping Campaigns: More manual control over targeting and bidding.
    • Performance Max Campaigns: Automated campaigns that combine Shopping, Display, YouTube, and Search placements.
Step 5. Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy

Define your daily budget and choose a bidding strategy that aligns with your goals.

  • Maximize Clicks: Focuses on getting as many visitors as possible.
  • Target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend): Optimizes for higher conversion value within your target return.
  • Maximize Conversion Value: Lets Google’s algorithm prioritize revenue.

Start with a moderate budget while you collect performance data and adjust as needed.

Step 6. Organize Product Groups

Inside your campaign, organize products into groups based on brand, category, price range, or custom labels.

This structure gives you better control over bidding and performance tracking. For example, you might set a higher bid for best-selling items or seasonal products that deliver higher margins.

Step 7. Optimize for Performance

Once your campaign is running, monitor it regularly to improve results.

Focus on the following areas:

  • Product Titles and Images: Use clear, keyword-rich titles and high-quality images.
  • Negative Keywords: Add irrelevant search terms to prevent wasted spend.
  • Bid Adjustments: Increase bids for top-performing products and lower them for underperforming ones.
  • Performance Max Testing: Experiment with Performance Max campaigns to reach new audiences and discover hidden opportunities.
Summary

A well-structured Google Shopping campaign can transform the way your products appear online.
By setting up your Merchant Center properly, optimizing your product feed, and tracking performance consistently, you can reach high-intent buyers at the exact moment they are ready to purchase.

Smart setup and regular optimization will turn your Shopping campaigns into one of the most powerful sales engines for your eCommerce business.

If you want to master Google Shopping and run profitable campaigns with confidence, get the Paid Media Course today and start improving your results immediately.

How to Set Up Google Shopping Campaigns

Google Shopping campaigns are one of the most effective ways for eCommerce brands to showcase their products to customers who are actively searching for what they sell. Unlike traditional text ads, Shopping campaigns display your products with images, prices, and store information directly in Google search results. When set up correctly, they can drive highly qualified traffic, improve visibility, and increase sales. This guide explains how to set up a Google Shopping campaign step by step and optimize it for success.

Category:
Paid Media Strategy
Date:
November 23, 2025
Step 1. Create a Google Merchant Center Account

The first step is to create a Google Merchant Center (GMC) account. This is the platform where you upload your product information and connect your online store to Google.

  1. Visit merchants.google.com.
  2. Sign in with your Google account and follow the prompts to add your business name, country, and website URL.
  3. Verify and claim your website domain.
  4. Set up your shipping and tax information according to your business policies.

Google uses this information to ensure your listings comply with its requirements and appear accurately in search results.

Step 2. Upload Your Product Feed

Your product feed is a file that contains details about each product you sell, such as title, price, image, description, availability, and link.

You can upload your feed manually, use Google Sheets, or connect your eCommerce platform directly if you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.

Make sure your product data is accurate and regularly updated. The more detailed and precise your product information, the better your ads will perform.

Step 3. Link Merchant Center with Google Ads

After your product feed is approved, link your Google Merchant Center account with your Google Ads account.

  1. Go to your Merchant Center dashboard.
  2. Click on the settings icon in the top right corner.
  3. Choose Linked Accounts and select Google Ads.
  4. Approve the link from your Google Ads account.

This connection allows Google to pull product data from your feed and display it as Shopping ads.

Step 4. Create a Shopping Campaign

Now that your accounts are connected, you can create your first Shopping campaign.

  1. In Google Ads, click on New Campaign.
  2. Choose your objective, such as Sales or Leads.
  3. Select Shopping as the campaign type.
  4. Choose your linked Merchant Center account and target country.
  5. Select a campaign subtype:
    • Standard Shopping Campaigns: More manual control over targeting and bidding.
    • Performance Max Campaigns: Automated campaigns that combine Shopping, Display, YouTube, and Search placements.
Step 5. Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy

Define your daily budget and choose a bidding strategy that aligns with your goals.

  • Maximize Clicks: Focuses on getting as many visitors as possible.
  • Target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend): Optimizes for higher conversion value within your target return.
  • Maximize Conversion Value: Lets Google’s algorithm prioritize revenue.

Start with a moderate budget while you collect performance data and adjust as needed.

Step 6. Organize Product Groups

Inside your campaign, organize products into groups based on brand, category, price range, or custom labels.

This structure gives you better control over bidding and performance tracking. For example, you might set a higher bid for best-selling items or seasonal products that deliver higher margins.

Step 7. Optimize for Performance

Once your campaign is running, monitor it regularly to improve results.

Focus on the following areas:

  • Product Titles and Images: Use clear, keyword-rich titles and high-quality images.
  • Negative Keywords: Add irrelevant search terms to prevent wasted spend.
  • Bid Adjustments: Increase bids for top-performing products and lower them for underperforming ones.
  • Performance Max Testing: Experiment with Performance Max campaigns to reach new audiences and discover hidden opportunities.
Summary

A well-structured Google Shopping campaign can transform the way your products appear online.
By setting up your Merchant Center properly, optimizing your product feed, and tracking performance consistently, you can reach high-intent buyers at the exact moment they are ready to purchase.

Smart setup and regular optimization will turn your Shopping campaigns into one of the most powerful sales engines for your eCommerce business.

If you want to master Google Shopping and run profitable campaigns with confidence, get the Paid Media Course today and start improving your results immediately.

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