Google has just silently updated their Google Shopping Category Taxonomy for the first time since February of 2015!
There are now 155 more categories in the taxonomy that you can use for the google_product_type attribute (see below for the new list of categories)
Previously there were 5,427 total categories, and now there are 5,582.
What changed?
High level: Many categories became more granular. Instead of just cat food, there are now distinct categories for Prescription vs Non-prescription.
- Categories that formerly had two or more in their leaf-nodes were made more granular.
For example, “Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls” was broken up into
“Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls > Scarves”
and
“Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls > Shawls” - Another example is
old: “Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils”
new: “Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils > Sand”
and “Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils > Soil”
and the original remains with “Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils”
As far as we can tell, no categories were removed from the old Google Shopping taxonomy, but many new more granular categories were added.
Learn more about the Google Shopping Category Taxonomy here and see the always up to date full list of Google Product Categories here.
New Google Product Categories (August 2019)
Animals & Pet Supplies > Pet Supplies > Cat Supplies > Cat Food > Non-prescription Cat Food
Animals & Pet Supplies > Pet Supplies > Cat Supplies > Cat Food > Prescription Cat Food
Animals & Pet Supplies > Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies > Dog Food > Non-prescription Dog Food
Animals & Pet Supplies > Pet Supplies > Dog Supplies > Dog Food > Prescription Dog Food
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Bandanas & Headties > Bandanas
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Bandanas & Headties > Hair Care Wraps
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Hair Accessories > Hair Pins, Claws & Clips > Barrettes
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Hair Accessories > Hair Pins, Claws & Clips > Hair Claws & Clips
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Hair Accessories > Hair Pins, Claws & Clips > Hair Pins
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls > Scarves
Apparel & Accessories > Clothing Accessories > Scarves & Shawls > Shawls
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Materials > Art & Craft Paper > Cardstock & Scrapbooking Paper > Cardstock
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Materials > Art & Craft Paper > Cardstock & Scrapbooking Paper > Scrapbooking Paper
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Materials > Pottery & Sculpting Materials > Clay & Modeling Dough > Clay
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Materials > Pottery & Sculpting Materials > Clay & Modeling Dough > Modeling Dough
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Tools > Thimbles & Sewing Palms > Sewing Palms
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts > Art & Crafting Tools > Thimbles & Sewing Palms > Thimbles
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Collectibles > Collectible Coins & Currency > Collectible Banknotes
Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Collectibles > Collectible Coins & Currency > Collectible Coins
Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Trophies & Awards > Award Certificates
Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Trophies & Awards > Award Pins & Medals
Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Trophies & Awards > Award Plaques
Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Trophies & Awards > Award Ribbons
Arts & Entertainment > Party & Celebration > Trophies & Awards > Trophies
Baby & Toddler > Baby Toys & Activity Equipment > Play Mats & Gyms > Play Gyms
Baby & Toddler > Baby Toys & Activity Equipment > Play Mats & Gyms > Play Mats
Baby & Toddler > Nursing & Feeding > Baby Bottle Nipples & Liners > Baby Bottle Liners
Baby & Toddler > Nursing & Feeding > Baby Bottle Nipples & Liners > Baby Bottle Nipples
Baby & Toddler > Swaddling & Receiving Blankets > Receiving Blankets
Baby & Toddler > Swaddling & Receiving Blankets > Swaddling Blankets
Business & Industrial > Agriculture > Animal Husbandry > Livestock Feed > Cattle Feed
Business & Industrial > Agriculture > Animal Husbandry > Livestock Feed > Chicken Feed
Business & Industrial > Agriculture > Animal Husbandry > Livestock Feed > Goat & Sheep Feed
Business & Industrial > Agriculture > Animal Husbandry > Livestock Feed > Mixed Herd Feed
Business & Industrial > Agriculture > Animal Husbandry > Livestock Feed > Pig Feed
Business & Industrial > Medical > Medical Supplies > Medical Needles & Syringes > Medical Needle & Syringe Sets
Business & Industrial > Medical > Medical Supplies > Medical Needles & Syringes > Medical Needles
Business & Industrial > Medical > Medical Supplies > Medical Needles & Syringes > Medical Syringes
Business & Industrial > Retail > Money Handling > Cash Registers & POS Terminals > Cash Registers
Business & Industrial > Retail > Money Handling > Cash Registers & POS Terminals > POS Terminals
Electronics > Audio > Audio Components > Headphones & Headsets > Headphones
Electronics > Audio > Audio Components > Headphones & Headsets > Headsets
Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phone Accessories > Mobile Phone Pre-Paid Cards & SIM Cards > Mobile Phone Pre-Paid Cards
Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phone Accessories > Mobile Phone Pre-Paid Cards & SIM Cards > SIM Cards
Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phones > Contract Mobile Phones
Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phones > Pre-paid Mobile Phones
Electronics > Communications > Telephony > Mobile Phones > Unlocked Mobile Phones
Electronics > Computers > Thin & Zero Clients > Thin Client Computers
Electronics > Computers > Thin & Zero Clients > Zero Client Computers
Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Input Devices > Game Controllers > Game Racing Wheels
Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Input Devices > Game Controllers > Game Remotes
Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Input Devices > Game Controllers > Gaming Pads
Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Input Devices > Game Controllers > Joystick Controllers
Electronics > Electronics Accessories > Computer Components > Input Devices > Game Controllers > Musical Instrument Game Controllers
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Cocktail Mixes > Frozen Cocktail Mixes
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Cocktail Mixes > Shelf-stable Cocktail Mixes
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Liquor & Spirits > Shochu & Soju > Shochu
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Alcoholic Beverages > Liquor & Spirits > Shochu & Soju > Soju
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Carbonated Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Carbonated Water > Flavored Carbonated Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Carbonated Water > Unflavored Carbonated Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Distilled Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Flat Mineral Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Water > Spring Water
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Cooking & Baking Ingredients > Egg Replacers
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Meat, Seafood & Eggs > Eggs > Egg Whites
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Meat, Seafood & Eggs > Eggs > Liquid & Frozen Eggs
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Meat, Seafood & Eggs > Eggs > Prepared Eggs
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Meat, Seafood & Eggs > Eggs > Whole Eggs
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Snack Foods > Cereal & Granola Bars > Cereal Bars
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Food Items > Snack Foods > Cereal & Granola Bars > Granola Bars
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Tobacco Products > Vaporizers & Electronic Cigarettes > Electronic Cigarettes
Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Tobacco Products > Vaporizers & Electronic Cigarettes > Vaporizers
Hardware > Fuel
Hardware > Fuel > Home Heating Oil
Hardware > Fuel > Kerosene
Hardware > Fuel > Kerosene > Clear Kerosene
Hardware > Fuel > Kerosene > Dyed Kerosene
Hardware > Fuel > Propane
Hardware > Tools > Flashlights & Headlamps > Flashlights
Hardware > Tools > Flashlights & Headlamps > Headlamps
Health & Beauty > Health Care > Biometric Monitors > Fertility Monitors and Ovulation Tests > Fertility Tests & Monitors
Health & Beauty > Health Care > Biometric Monitors > Fertility Monitors and Ovulation Tests > Ovulation Tests
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Skin Care > Lip Balms & Treatments > Lip Balms
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Skin Care > Lip Balms & Treatments > Medicated Lip Treatments
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Skin Care > Toners & Astringents > Astringents
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Cosmetics > Skin Care > Toners & Astringents > Toners
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Deodorant & Anti-Perspirant > Anti-Perspirant
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Deodorant & Anti-Perspirant > Deodorant
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Hair Care > Shampoo & Conditioner > Conditioners
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Hair Care > Shampoo & Conditioner > Shampoo
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Hair Care > Shampoo & Conditioner > Shampoo & Conditioner Sets
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Massage & Relaxation > Massagers > Electric Massagers
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Massage & Relaxation > Massagers > Manual Massage Tools
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Massage & Relaxation > Massagers > Massage Cushions
Health & Beauty > Personal Care > Vision Care > Eyewear Accessories > Eyewear Replacement Parts
Home & Garden > Flood, Fire & Gas Safety > Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors > Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Home & Garden > Flood, Fire & Gas Safety > Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors > Smoke Detectors
Home & Garden > Household Appliances > Floor & Steam Cleaners > Carpet Shampooers
Home & Garden > Household Appliances > Floor & Steam Cleaners > Carpet Steamers
Home & Garden > Household Appliances > Floor & Steam Cleaners > Floor Scrubbers
Home & Garden > Household Appliances > Floor & Steam Cleaners > Steam Mops
Home & Garden > Household Supplies > Household Cleaning Supplies > Household Cleaning Products > Glass & Surface Cleaners > Glass Cleaners
Home & Garden > Household Supplies > Household Cleaning Supplies > Household Cleaning Products > Glass & Surface Cleaners > Muti-surface Cleaners
Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils > Sand
Home & Garden > Lawn & Garden > Gardening > Sands & Soils > Soil
Home & Garden > Plants > Indoor & Outdoor Plants > Bushes & Shrubs
Home & Garden > Plants > Indoor & Outdoor Plants > Landscaping & Garden Plants
Home & Garden > Plants > Indoor & Outdoor Plants > Potted Houseplants
Home & Garden > Plants > Seeds > Plant & Flower Bulbs
Home & Garden > Plants > Seeds > Seeds & Seed Tape
Home & Garden > Pool & Spa > Sauna Accessories
Home & Garden > Pool & Spa > Sauna Accessories > Sauna Buckets & Ladles
Home & Garden > Pool & Spa > Sauna Accessories > Sauna Heaters
Home & Garden > Pool & Spa > Sauna Accessories > Sauna Kits
Media > Books > Audiobooks
Media > Books > E-books
Media > Books > Print Books
Media > DVDs & Videos > Film & Television DVDs
Media > DVDs & Videos > Film & Television Digital Downloads
Media > DVDs & Videos > Film & Television VHS Tapes
Media > Magazines & Newspapers > Magazines
Media > Magazines & Newspapers > Newspapers
Media > Music & Sound Recordings > Digital Music Downloads
Media > Music & Sound Recordings > Music CDs
Media > Music & Sound Recordings > Music Cassette Tapes
Media > Music & Sound Recordings > Records & LPs
Media > Music & Sound Recordings > Spoken Word & Field Recordings
Office Supplies > Filing & Organization > Folders & Report Covers > Pocket Folders
Office Supplies > Filing & Organization > Folders & Report Covers > Report Covers
Office Supplies > Filing & Organization > Portfolios & Padfolios > Padfolios
Office Supplies > Filing & Organization > Portfolios & Padfolios > Portfolios
Office Supplies > General Office Supplies > Correction Fluids, Pens & Tapes > Correction Fluids
Office Supplies > General Office Supplies > Correction Fluids, Pens & Tapes > Correction Pens
Office Supplies > General Office Supplies > Correction Fluids, Pens & Tapes > Correction Tapes
Office Supplies > General Office Supplies > Paper Clips & Clamps > Binder Clips
Office Supplies > General Office Supplies > Paper Clips & Clamps > Paper Clips
Office Supplies > Office Equipment > Calculators > Basic Calculators
Office Supplies > Office Equipment > Calculators > Construction Calculators
Office Supplies > Office Equipment > Calculators > Financial Calculators
Office Supplies > Office Equipment > Calculators > Graphing Calculators
Office Supplies > Office Equipment > Calculators > Scientific Calculators
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instrument Accessories > Marker & Highlighter Ink Refills > Highlighter Refills
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instrument Accessories > Marker & Highlighter Ink Refills > Marker Refills
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instruments > Markers & Highlighters > Highlighters
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instruments > Markers & Highlighters > Markers
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instruments > Pens & Pencils > Pencils > Writing Pencils > Mechanical Pencils
Office Supplies > Office Instruments > Writing & Drawing Instruments > Pens & Pencils > Pencils > Writing Pencils > Wooden Pencils
Office Supplies > Presentation Supplies > Display Boards > Bulletin Board Accessories > Bulletin Board Trim Sets
Sporting Goods > Exercise & Fitness > Cardio > Cardio Machines > Stair Climbers & Steppers > Stair Climbers
Sporting Goods > Exercise & Fitness > Cardio > Cardio Machines > Stair Climbers & Steppers > Stair Steppers
Toys & Games > Toys > Pretend Play > Toy Kitchens & Play Food > Play Food
Toys & Games > Toys > Pretend Play > Toy Kitchens & Play Food > Toy Cookware
Toys & Games > Toys > Pretend Play > Toy Kitchens & Play Food > Toy Kitchens
Toys & Games > Toys > Pretend Play > Toy Kitchens & Play Food > Toy Tableware
Brian Roizen is the Cofounder and Chief Architect of Feedonomics, a full-service feed optimization platform that optimizes product data for hundreds of channels. He has been featured on numerous podcasts and eCommerce webinars, and regularly contributes to Search Engine Land and other industry-leading blogs. Brian graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.