How to Connect Existing Google Ads and Merchant Center Accounts to Google Listings & Ads

Many WooCommerce store owners who start using the Google Listings & Ads plugin already have established Google Merchant Center (GMC) and Google Ads accounts. A common question is how the plugin interacts with these existing accounts, especially concerning product feeds and advertising campaigns. This guide explains the process and clarifies what to expect.

The Core Question: Will the Plugin Disrupt My Existing Setup?

Based on community discussions, the primary concern is whether connecting the plugin will disrupt or overwrite existing product feeds and campaigns. The short answer is no. The Google Listings & Ads plugin is designed to integrate with your pre-existing accounts without deleting your current data.

When you connect the plugin to an existing Google Merchant Center account, it syncs your WooCommerce products as new listings within that account. It does not remove or alter products that were already present. Similarly, your existing Google Ads campaigns will remain intact and active.

Common Challenges and Solutions

While the integration is generally smooth, users often encounter a few specific situations. Here are the most common ones and how to address them.

1. Existing Campaigns Not Appearing in the Plugin Dashboard

Why it happens: A frequent point of confusion is that existing advertising campaigns, particularly Performance Max or older Smart Shopping campaigns, do not always appear in the plugin's dashboard within WooCommerce.

The solution: It's important to understand the plugin's primary function. Its main strength is product feed synchronization and creating new campaigns directly from your WooCommerce dashboard. The ability to display and manage existing campaigns within the plugin is limited. The 'Google for WooCommerce' team's documentation indicates that not all pre-existing campaign types can be listed or managed through the plugin interface. The convenience of seeing stats in your dashboard is typically available for campaigns created through the plugin.

2. Connecting an Account Under a Google MCC (Manager Account)

Why it happens: Users with accounts managed under a Google My Client Center (MCC) may encounter errors during the connection process, such as "site is validated already."

The solution: The plugin supports connecting existing accounts, including those under an MCC. The key is to ensure you are logged into the correct Google account with the necessary permissions during the setup process. If you face a validation error, it usually means your website URL is already claimed in your existing Merchant Center account. The connection process should recognize this, but if it fails, you may need to troubleshoot the account linkage separately.

Step-by-Step: How to Connect Your Existing Accounts

1. Prepare Your Accounts: Ensure you have login details for your existing Google Merchant Center and Google Ads accounts. Verify that your website is already claimed and validated in your Merchant Center.
2. Initiate Connection: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Marketing > Google Listings & Ads.
3. Log In: Carefully log in with the Google account that owns or has admin access to your existing Merchant Center and Ads accounts. Using the correct email address is critical.
4. Select Existing Accounts: The setup flow should present you with an option to connect an existing Merchant Center account. Select it from the list if prompted.
5. Complete the Setup: Follow the remaining steps to grant the necessary permissions. Your WooCommerce products will begin syncing as a new feed within your existing Merchant Center.

Key Takeaways

• No Data Loss: Connecting the plugin will not delete your existing products or campaigns.
• Primary Benefit: The plugin's main advantage is streamlining product sync and allowing you to create and manage new campaigns from your WooCommerce admin.
• Campaign Visibility Limitation: Do not expect all existing campaigns to appear or be manageable in the plugin's dashboard. This is a known characteristic of the plugin.
• No Extra Fees: Using the plugin does not add any commissions or fees to your Google Ads spending.

By understanding these points, you can confidently integrate the Google Listings & Ads plugin with your established Google ecosystem to enhance your workflow without risking your current advertising efforts.