// GMC add-on setup guide

How to set up Promotions in Google Merchant Center

Promotions show a "special offer" annotation under your Shopping ads — the biggest CTR lift you can turn on. Setup takes 15 minutes but Google reviews each promo, and most first submissions get held for small format mistakes.

// Add-on
Promotions
// Impact
+10–25% CTR
// Setup time
7 steps · ~15-30 min
// Direct link
Open in GMC ↗

Requirements

  • ✓ A verified and approved Merchant Center account
  • ✓ Products already active in Shopping ads or free listings
  • ✓ Promotion visible on your landing page (not just at checkout)
  • ✓ A working coupon code (Google will test it)
  • ✓ Available in supported countries — US, UK, CA, AU, IN, DE, FR, and more

Step-by-step setup

  1. 1
    Enable Promotions
    In Merchant Center → Marketing → Promotions → click "Get started". First time only.
  2. 2
    Choose promotion type
    Pick one: (a) Discount off amount / percentage, (b) Free gift, (c) Free/discounted shipping, (d) Buy X get Y.
  3. 3
    Enter promotion details
    Promotion ID (letters + numbers + dashes only), promotion title (max 60 chars, shown on ads), start/end dates in ISO 8601 format.
  4. 4
    Set product applicability
    Either "All products", or filter by product ID, product type, category, or brand.
  5. 5
    Set redemption channel
    Online for Shopping ads. In-store for Local Inventory Ads.
  6. 6
    Add coupon code if needed
    Generic code (same for everyone), Unique codes (upload CSV of codes), or No code (auto-applied).
  7. 7
    Submit for review
    Click Save. Google reviews within 24-48 hours. Status changes to "Active" when approved.

Common issues + how to fix

⚠
Promo not visible on landing page
The discount must show on the actual product page — not only at checkout. Add a banner or strikethrough price.
⚠
Coupon code doesn't work
Google tests every code. Test yours first with a real cart.
⚠
Dates mismatch banner vs feed
The end date in your feed must match on-site messaging exactly.

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