> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.snowdoughnut.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Promotions feed CSV template (Google Merchant Center)

> The column format and compliance rules for a Google Merchant Center promotions feed, with a filled-in example row and links to Google's official documentation. Extends an existing primary Products feed; it doesn't stand alone.

Use this template to run a discount or offer tied to products you already sell. Like the local inventory feed, this one extends an existing primary Products feed rather than standing alone; every promotion has to map to product IDs already in that feed. See the [Google Merchant Center feed templates](/google-merchant-center-overview) overview if you haven't set up the primary feed yet.

<Note>
  This isn't legal advice. Confirm that discount claims are accurate and legally defensible (real reference prices, honest "eligible items" scope) with your legal or compliance team before publishing.
</Note>

## File format

* CSV, TSV, or XML.
* Requires a linked, active primary Products feed.

## Column template

| Column                      | Required               | Example                            |
| :-------------------------- | :--------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| `promotion_id`              | Yes                    | FALL2026-MUGS                      |
| `product_applicability`     | Yes                    | specific\_products                 |
| `offer_type`                | Yes                    | generic\_code                      |
| `generic_redemption_code`   | Conditionally required | DOUGHNUT10                         |
| `long_title`                | Yes                    | 10% off Doughnut Labs starter mugs |
| `promotion_effective_dates` | Yes                    | 2026-09-01T00:00/2026-09-30T23:59  |
| `promotion_display_dates`   | Recommended            | 2026-08-25T00:00/2026-09-30T23:59  |
| `id` (item mapping)         | Yes, per eligible item | SKU\_10432                         |

<Info>
  This is a representative subset. Google's promotions spec has several conditionally required attributes depending on `offer_type` (percentage off, money off, buy-X-get-Y, and others); confirm the exact combination against Google's formatting and attributes FAQ linked below.
</Info>

## Format rules

* `promotion_id` needs to be unique per promotion and is what ties eligible product rows together.
* `product_applicability` is either `all_products` or `specific_products`; if it's specific, you also map the individual product `id` values the promotion applies to.
* Date ranges use an ISO 8601-style start/end format; keep `promotion_effective_dates` (when the discount is actually live) distinct from `promotion_display_dates` (when the promo badge can show ahead of the live date).

## Data and compliance rules

<Warning>
  * Advertised offers need to be genuinely achievable for a real shopper, not a "50% off" headline that only a small, unstated subset of products qualifies for. That's one of Google's specifically named misrepresentation examples, and it carries the same immediate-suspension risk as inaccurate pricing.
  * The reference (pre-discount) price shown alongside a promotion needs to be a real, recently offered price, not an inflated one invented to make the discount look bigger. Several jurisdictions also regulate this directly as deceptive pricing, independent of Google's own policy.
  * Keep the promotion's effective dates accurate. A promotion feed still marked active after the sale has ended is a common, avoidable compliance gap.
</Warning>

## Official documentation

* [Promotions data specification](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/2906014)
* [Promotions feed formatting and attributes FAQ](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13507032)
* [Misrepresentation](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127)

## Related resources

* [Google Merchant Center feed templates](/google-merchant-center-overview)
* [Product feed CSV template (Google Merchant Center)](/google-merchant-center-product-csv-template)
* [Local inventory feed CSV template (Google Merchant Center)](/google-merchant-center-local-inventory-csv-template)