Glossary

Domain terminology and resource definitions for the Simple Product Feeds API.

Core resources

ResourceDescription
FeedAn independently configured product data output. Each feed has its own rules, settings, column mappings, and published URL. Every shop has a primary feed and can create additional feeds for different languages or markets.
ExtractA snapshot of product data pulled from Shopify. Extracts are shared across all feeds — one extraction provides the source data that every feed transforms independently.
RunThe output of applying a feed’s transformations to an extract. The latest completed run determines the published feed file at the feed’s URL.

Feed types

TypeDescription
primaryThe default feed created when you install the app. Every shop has exactly one primary feed.
languageA translation feed for a specific locale (e.g., French, German). Uses Shopify’s product translation data to generate a localized feed.
marketA feed targeting a specific market with independent product selection. Market feeds can include a different subset of products and apply different rules.

Configuration resources

ResourceScopeDescription
RulesPer-feedTransformation rules that modify product data before the feed is published. Rule types include set_value, exclude, and replace.
SettingsPer-feedFeed generation options: SEO mode, variant handling, product ID format, quantity source, unpublished product inclusion.
Column MappingsPer-feedHow source product fields from Shopify map to feed output columns (e.g., vendorbrand).
Extra ColumnsPer-feedCustom columns added to the feed beyond the standard Google Merchant Center fields.
MetafieldsShop-levelConfiguration for which Shopify metafields to include in extracted product data. Shared across all feeds.

Channel resources

ResourceScopeDescription
ChannelShop-levelAn advertising platform connection (Google Merchant Center, Meta, etc.). Manages OAuth credentials and merchant account selection.
DatafeedPer-feedA publishing configuration that connects a specific feed to a channel. Each datafeed has its own fetch schedule and target markets.

Pipeline

The data pipeline flows through three stages:

  1. Extract — Product data is pulled from Shopify into a shared source snapshot.
  2. Feed Transform — Each active feed applies its own rules, settings, and mappings to the extract data.
  3. Run — The transformed output is written to the feed’s published URL.
Shopify → Extract (shared) → Feed A → Run A → gmcfeed.txt
                            → Feed B → Run B → gmcfeed-fr.txt
                            → Feed C → Run C → gmcfeed-canada.txt

One extract produces one run per active feed. Extracts can be triggered via POST /v1/extracts.