Summary

To successfully send catalog messages, you need to ensure that your product items in the catalog contain specific required fields. If you are a business selling in India, additional mandatory fields must be included. This guide outlines the required fields, troubleshooting steps, and common issues you may encounter.

Instructions

Required Fields for Catalog Messages

Before sending catalog messages, confirm that your product items include the following fields:

Mandatory Fields for Businesses Selling in India

If you sell products in India, you must add these additional fields to your catalog items:

Field	Description
origin_country	The country of origin for the item. Enter the 2-letter ISO code (e.g., IN for India, US for the United States).
importer_name	If you import and sell products in India, provide the legal importer’s name (e.g., Maks Inc.).
importer_address	If you import and sell products in India, provide the legal importer’s full address. Follow the format below: <br> `{ street1: "1234 Smith St", street2: "Building 1", city: "San Francisco", region: "CA", postal_code: "94016", country: "US" }`

Video Tutorials

Learn how to add these fields to your catalog based on your catalog creation method:

Using Google Sheets: Watch the tutorial
Using Shopify Sync: Watch the tutorial

Troubleshooting: Unable to Send Catalog Messages

If you are unable to send catalog messages even after adding the required fields, follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue:

Go to your catalog in Facebook Commerce Manager.
Click on the ‘Issues’ tab in the left menu.
Filter by ‘Errors’ or ‘Warnings’ to check if any items in your catalog have been flagged.
Fix the highlighted issues and try sending catalog messages again.

Common Issues and Fixes

Here are some common errors you might encounter and how to resolve them:

1. Missing "Google Product Category" Field

Some warnings indicate that you haven't added the Google Product Category field to your catalog items. To resolve this:

If using Google Sheets to create the catalog:
- Add a new column with the following details:

Field	Description
google_product_category	Provide the most specific Google product category. Enter either the category name (not case-sensitive) or its ID number. <br> Example: `Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops` or `212`.

Learn more about Product Categories by clicking here.

2. No Image Uploaded for Product Items

Ensure that all catalog items have an associated image. Missing images can prevent catalog messages from being sent.

By following these guidelines, you can successfully send catalog messages and troubleshoot common issues efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions

What are catalog messages?
→ Catalog messages allow businesses to send product information directly from their catalog in messaging apps like WhatsApp. This helps customers browse and purchase items seamlessly.
Why do I need to add additional fields for businesses in India?
→ Indian regulations require businesses to provide details such as country of origin, importer name, and importer address for transparency and compliance.

Adding Required Fields

How do I add the required fields to my catalog?
→ You can add fields manually through Facebook Commerce Manager or by updating your Google Sheets or Shopify catalog. Follow the video tutorials for step-by-step guidance.
What is the correct format for the importer address?
→ Use this format: { street1: "1234 Smith St", street2: "Building 1", city: "San Francisco", region: "CA", postal_code: "94016", country: "US" }

Troubleshooting Issues

Why am I still unable to send catalog messages after adding the required fields?
→ Check for issues in Facebook Commerce Manager by going to the 'Issues' tab and filtering for 'Errors' or 'Warnings'. Resolve any flagged issues before trying again.
What should I do if I receive a warning about a missing 'Google Product Category'?
→ Add a new column in your catalog file with the field google_product_category, using either the category name or ID from Google’s product category list.
Why are my product items missing images?
→ Ensure that all catalog items include images. Missing images can prevent catalog messages from being sent.