Upload Product Videos to Google Merchant Center

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Adding product videos in Google Merchant Center can give shoppers a closer look at items and help eligible product listings show richer visual content. You’ll need a video hosted on YouTube, access to the Merchant Center account, and a product that is already submitted and approved; video availability and display can vary by country, product, and Google surface.

What You’ll Need

Access to the correct Google Merchant Center account and permission to edit product data.
A public or unlisted YouTube video showing the product. Private videos cannot be viewed by Google or shoppers.
The product’s identifier, such as its Merchant Center item ID, or the product page URL, so you can match the video to the right listing.
A product submitted to Merchant Center with accurate, current data. Resolve product disapprovals before relying on video display.
A browser and the video’s YouTube URL or video ID.

Step-by-Step

Check that video is appropriate for the item. Choose a clip that clearly features the exact product in the listing. It should be useful for evaluating the item, such as a demonstration, a close-up, an assembly guide, or a view of its features. Avoid unrelated promotional footage, videos for a different model, and content that could mislead shoppers.
Upload the clip to YouTube, if needed. Sign in to the YouTube account that will own the video and use YouTube’s upload flow. Add a clear title and set visibility to Public or Unlisted. Do not set it to Private: an unlisted video can be accessed by people with its link, while a private video is restricted. Follow YouTube’s current video and content requirements.
Copy the video link. Open the published or unlisted video and copy its URL. Check that it opens in a private or signed-out browser window; this helps confirm that viewers who are not signed into your YouTube account can access it. Keep the URL handy.
Open the product in Merchant Center. Sign in to Google Merchant Center and select the account that manages the product. Open Products and find the item using its title, item ID, or another available search or filter. Open the item’s details and verify that the brand, model, image, and landing page correspond to the video.
Find the video or product media control. In the product details, look for the area used to edit product information or add media. The exact controls can differ between Merchant Center experiences and account setups. If a video field or add-video action is available, use it; don’t paste a URL into an unrelated field such as the product image link or landing page URL.
Add the video and associate it with the product. Paste the YouTube URL or video ID into the video field, then save. If the workflow offers a product selector or asks you to confirm the association, select the exact item. For a product with several variants, match the clip to the variant it actually shows; do not imply that a video covers options it does not depict.
Use the feed or API route if your account supports it. Some merchants manage product information through a data source, platform integration, or API rather than editing individual items. Check the current Merchant Center product data specifications and your integration’s documentation for the supported video attribute or media workflow. Add the video using the documented field and associate it with the matching item ID. Do not guess an attribute name or assume a field is accepted by every feed type.
Save and check processing status. Return to the product’s details or data-source diagnostics and check for processing issues, missing information, or policy problems. Changes may take time to be reviewed or reflected, so avoid repeatedly submitting the same video while processing is underway.
Verify the result where it can appear. Check the product details and, where available, preview or listing surfaces for the video association. A successfully submitted video is not a guarantee it will be displayed in every Shopping ad, free listing, country, or placement. Keep the product page accurate and don’t treat Merchant Center approval as a promise of a particular layout.

Common Mistakes

Using a private YouTube video: Google’s systems and shoppers may be unable to access it. Choose Public or Unlisted and test the link while signed out.
Linking the wrong product: Similar-looking models, sizes, colors, and bundles can be easy to confuse. Compare the clip with the item ID and landing page before saving.
Putting the URL in the wrong field: A video link is not a product image URL or product landing page. Use the video-specific control or the documented feed method.
Expecting immediate or guaranteed display: Processing and review take time, and Google determines where eligible content appears. A video being accepted does not guarantee a visible video on every surface.
Using content that does not match the listing: A video of a different model, an unavailable accessory, or a different package can confuse shoppers and create data-quality or policy concerns.
Changing the video after submitting without checking: Replacing, deleting, or changing its visibility on YouTube can make the associated link unavailable. Recheck the URL if you edit the source video.

Tips

Use a stable YouTube URL and keep a simple record of which video belongs to each item ID.
Show the product early and clearly. Keep demonstrations focused on features shoppers can verify, and avoid claims that are not supported by the product page.
Use a well-lit, steady clip with clear framing and understandable narration or captions where appropriate.
Review the video and product page together whenever you change a product’s model, packaging, included accessories, or availability.
For large catalogs, test the workflow on a small set of items before applying it across a data source. Confirm the supported method with the current Merchant Center documentation or your platform provider.

Troubleshooting

The video cannot be added: Confirm you are in the correct Merchant Center account and have permission to edit the item. Check whether the current product-editing experience supports video entry. If it does not, consult the current product data specifications or your integration provider rather than adding the URL to an unsupported attribute.

The video is unavailable or rejected: Open the YouTube link in a signed-out browser. If it fails, check that the video is not private, deleted, restricted, or otherwise inaccessible. Correct the YouTube visibility or replace the link, then update the product association.

The video is attached to the wrong item: Reopen the product details and compare the item ID with the intended listing. Remove or correct the association, then attach the video to the exact product or variant shown.

The product or video is not appearing in listings: Check Merchant Center diagnostics for product disapprovals, data-source errors, or pending review. Correct the reported issue and allow time for updates. Even after processing, placement and video display are not guaranteed; verify that the product is eligible and that the video remains accessible.

You cannot find a video option: Merchant Center controls can vary by account, country, and product-management method. Check the latest Help Center instructions for your account experience. If you use a feed, app, or API, ask its provider which video workflow it supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a video file directly to Merchant Center?
Video workflows can vary. YouTube is a common hosting route, but use the method currently shown in your account or documented for your data source. Do not assume every account supports direct file upload.

Does the YouTube video have to be public?
It needs to be accessible to Google and shoppers. Public and unlisted videos can generally be viewed through their links; private videos cannot.

Will adding a video guarantee it appears on Google Shopping?
No. Eligibility, review, country, product type, and the display surface can affect whether it appears.

Can one video be used for several products?
Use a shared video only when it accurately represents each associated item. Check each product and variant carefully, and follow the current Merchant Center requirements for associations.

How long does processing take?
Timing can vary, and there is no universal display deadline. Check item status and diagnostics, avoid duplicate submissions, and allow time for review and updates.

What should I do if a product is disapproved?
Open its diagnostics, read the specific issue, and correct the product data or video access problem identified. Resubmit or wait for reprocessing as directed in Merchant Center.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.