Your Shopify store
Shopify search can use product titles, descriptions, types and tags. Consistent terms give it useful text to match. Filters can use product options and metafields when configured in a compatible theme. Shopify search guidance →
A practical guide to product data
AI-ready starts with
a readable catalog.
Your product photos show the details. Structured product data gives those details a place in search, filters and shopping channels. Start with accurate information, then make it usable.
Why it matters
Your product data travels with the product
A useful catalog connects what a shopper sees with information that search and shopping systems can read.
Google Shopping
Google uses submitted product data to match products to queries. Categories and variant details such as colour, material and pattern belong in the relevant feed fields; requirements vary by product and destination. Google product data specification →
AI shopping assistants
Shopify Catalog shares structured data from eligible products with supported AI channels. Clear titles, descriptions, images, categories and current availability help represent what you sell. Eligibility and channel settings still apply. Shopify Catalog guidance →
The foundations
Different fields do different jobs
An AI-ready catalog is a practical data-cleanup goal. Each field should describe the actual product, in the place its destination expects.
Descriptive alt text
Describe the visible product briefly and accurately. Alt text supports customers using assistive technology and helps explain an image when it cannot load. Shopify alt-text guidance →
Consistent attributes
Use the same vocabulary for colour, material, pattern and style across comparable products. Keep size, composition and other verified specifications accurate; review any detail inferred from a photo.
Appropriate categories
Assign the correct Shopify product category and complete applicable category data. Check the Google product category in your connected feed too. A descriptive tag does not replace either category field.
Useful tags & metafields
Tags add searchable product terms. Metafields store specific attributes for supported filters and other integrations. Configure the filters and channel mappings that use them. Shopify filter guidance →
A practical starting point
Audit, review, then connect the data
Begin with missing information. Check the result in the store and channels your customers actually use.
Audit your storefront
Run the free Store Check audit to find a starting point for store improvements. Then review product records for missing alt text, inconsistent tags and incomplete categories.
Review image-based suggestions
Where Catalog Vision is enabled, SearchIQ proposes alt text, tags and visual attributes from product photos. Review the current and proposed values before applying; auto-apply starts off.
Check each destination
Confirm your Shopify filters, Merchant Center product diagnostics and Shopify Catalog eligibility and mappings. An approved custom attribute still needs the right destination mapping.
Where SearchIQ fits
Turn visual detail into reviewed data
Use Catalog Vision for image-derived suggestions, then use SearchIQ’s discovery blocks to help shoppers explore the catalog.
Alt text, tags & custom attributes
Where enabled, Catalog Vision can write approved alt text and tags to Shopify, with a 30-day undo window for applied writes. Free has a 50-product monthly allowance. Growth and above can also write custom attribute metafields for colour, pattern, material, style, occasion and season.
Connect the rest in Shopify
SearchIQ writes its attributes to custom metafields, not Shopify standard category attributes. Set categories and configure feed or Shopify Catalog mappings separately. Catalog cleanup does not guarantee Google approval, a search ranking or a recommendation by an AI assistant.
Find your catalog’s next useful fix
Start with a free storefront audit, then explore SearchIQ for reviewed visual data and product discovery.
Explore SearchIQ
Discovery for visual catalogs
Find the guide that fits your store.
Fashion & Apparel
Help shoppers explore silhouettes, colours and outfit inspiration. Read the guide →
Jewellery
Help shoppers browse by shape, detail and visual style. Read the guide →
Home Decor & Furniture
Connect room inspiration with products in your catalog. Read the guide →