Bulk uploading to Google Base
What is a bulk upload?
Bulk uploads allow you to upload multiple items at a time to
Google Base. While users with a small number of items may
find it easier to post each item individually, bulk uploads
give you the ability to quickly create or update many items
using a single file.
You can submit any type of content. From your product listings to multiple movie reviews, bulk uploads are an easy way to share your information with the world.
To learn how to format and submit your bulk upload, review our instructions for bulk uploading items:
You can submit any type of content. From your product listings to multiple movie reviews, bulk uploads are an easy way to share your information with the world.
To learn how to format and submit your bulk upload, review our instructions for bulk uploading items:
How do I convert my spreadsheet into a tab-delimited text file?
Most spreadsheet programs allow you to export data into a
tab-delimited file. For example, in Microsoft Excel, follow
these steps:
- Open the "File" menu and select the "Save as..." command.
- In the "Save as type" drop-down box, select the "Text (tab delimited) (*.txt)" option.
- Select the "Save" button. You may see warning messages pop up, in which case you should select the "OK" or "Yes" buttons.
This will create a file with a name ending in the ".txt" extension. This is the file you should submit to Google Base.
Where can I find sample bulk upload files?
Our bulk upload instructions contain sample files for each
item type. Please select the type of information you'd like
to submit to obtain sample files:
http://base.google.com/base/help/types.html
http://base.google.com/base/help/types.html
How do I submit bulk uploads to other countries?
You must submit bulk uploads separately for each country.
Please be sure to register each bulk upload while logged
into the appropriate country version of Google base.
Please note that you will not be able to view bulk uploads registered in a different country than the one in which you've logged in.
Can I upload my file more than once per hour?
We're only able to receive and process a maximum of one bulk
upload of the same filename once per hour. In the future we
hope to reduce the wait time between file uploads.
How often should I send a bulk upload?
For most information types we require new uploads at least
once a month, or more frequently. However, in order to keep
the information in your items up-to-date, you should send us
a new bulk upload as often as the information in your items
changes - up to once per day. Remember to resubmit your bulk
upload with the same filename each time.
Can I submit an XML bulk upload?
Yes, you may submit bulk uploads in RSS 2.0, RSS 1.0, Atom
1.0, and Atom 0.3. If you have an existing XML file,
however, you will need to convert it to use the Google Base
namespace, as the Google Base XML formats are extensions of
standard RSS and Atom formats.
Can I submit a Froogle feed to Google Base?
While your old Froogle product feed will still process, we
strongly recommend that you begin submitting a Google Base
bulk upload using
product
attributes. Using Google Base attributes will allow you
to include more information about your items. The more
information you provide using attributes to structure your
data, the better we’ll be able to match search queries to
your items.
How do I send you my bulk upload?
You can send us your bulk upload directly through your
Google Base account, or using File Transfer Protocol (FTP):
Direct upload via Google Base (Recommended for most users.)
Using FTP:
- Using your Internet browser
- Using an FTP client
- Using DOS Prompt
Note: If you file is over 20 Megabytes (MB) you must upload using FTP (files of this size will contain at least several thousand items).
Can you send me my old bulk upload?
Currently, we're not able to send copies of old bulk
uploads. However, you can view instructions and download
sample
templates for your item type to help you create a
new bulk upload.
Will I be notified if my bulk upload was submitted successfully?
We'll review your bulk upload and contact you if we need
you to make any corrections.
What are the supported file formats?
We currently support bulk upload files in two general
formats: tab-delimited and XML.
Tab-delimited
This format separates data into separate lines, one for each item, with tabs separating the item details (attribute values) on each line. Tab-delimited files can be easily created and modified using a spreadsheet program. In a spreadsheet program, attribute names will appear in the first row at the top of each column (you header row). Item details will be in the rows below your header row, under their respective attribute names.
XML
We support extended versions of RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0, Atom 0.3, and Atom 1.0. You can create and edit these files using any text editor. Like HTML, XML uses tags to define blocks of content. Information about your items is enclosed within these tags, which are indicated by angle brackets.
Tab-delimited
This format separates data into separate lines, one for each item, with tabs separating the item details (attribute values) on each line. Tab-delimited files can be easily created and modified using a spreadsheet program. In a spreadsheet program, attribute names will appear in the first row at the top of each column (you header row). Item details will be in the rows below your header row, under their respective attribute names.
XML
We support extended versions of RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0, Atom 0.3, and Atom 1.0. You can create and edit these files using any text editor. Like HTML, XML uses tags to define blocks of content. Information about your items is enclosed within these tags, which are indicated by angle brackets.
Quick Facts
- Cost: Free
- How to Submit: You can submit information about all types of online and offline content to Google Base, by either the standard web form or, if you have more than 10 items to submit, via our bulk upload options. When you submit information via the web form, you can attach up to 15 digital files in the following formats: PDF (.pdf), Microsoft Excel (.xls), Text (.txt), HTML (.html), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Word Perfect (.wpd), ASCII, Unicode and XML. Please note: the files you upload may not exceed 20 megabytes total in size, and we reserve the right to review all items in order to ensure they comply with the Google Base Terms and Conditions.
- Languages: Google Base is currently available in English and German interfaces.
- Reach: Items you submit to Google Base might be found on Google properties like Google, Froogle, and Google Maps.
- How it's different: Google Base enables you to add attributes describing your content, so that searchers can easily find it. The more popular individual attributes become, the more often we'll suggest them when others post the same items. Similarly, items that become more popular will show up as suggested item types in the Choose an existing item type drop-down menu.
How to submit?
Detailed instructions for providers in real estate, recipes, products on Google Base's official documentation.