How to automatically update my feeds (on-the-fly output or CRON task)?

Under My feeds, choose a method for each language / country / currency combination. Generation by the module and scheduled retrieval by Merchant Center are separate operations.

On-the-fly file

Copy the feed's on-the-fly URL into the Merchant Center data source. The module generates the data whenever that URL is requested. This does not mean Google fetches it after every shop change or immediately updates ads.

The module recommends this method for catalogues below 30,000 products. Treat this as guidance: test the complete XML and response time on your hosting. If generation exceeds time or resource limits, use the physical file.

Physical file + CRON

  1. In the XML + CRON section, obtain the feed's CRON URL and have your scheduler run it regularly.
  2. Check generation completes and inspect the XML file.
  3. In Merchant Center, supply the XML file URL as the data source and schedule retrieval after generation.

Stagger different feeds' CRON tasks to avoid overloading the server. Allow time between expected generation completion and Google's fetch. The CRON URL triggers generation; it is not the file URL to import.

See importing into Merchant Center and checking updated data.

For detailed requirements: Official Google documentation.

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