What is a Facebook Product Catalog Feed?
A Facebook product catalog is a database of all your products that Facebook uses for Dynamic Product Ads, Facebook Shops, and Instagram Shopping. The "feed" is the connection that automatically syncs product data from your BigCommerce store to Facebook.
What the Catalog Contains
Your Facebook product catalog stores:
- Product Information: Title, description, SKU, price, brand
- Images: Product photos (main and additional)
- Availability: In stock, out of stock, preorder status
- URLs: Direct links to product pages
- Categories: Product organization and classification
- Variants: Size, color, material options
- Custom Labels: For segmentation (e.g., "Best Sellers", "Sale Items")
Why You Need a Product Catalog
- Dynamic Product Ads: Automatically retarget shoppers with products they viewed
- Facebook Shops: Sell directly on Facebook and Instagram
- Instagram Shopping: Tag products in Instagram posts and stories
- Catalog Sales Campaigns: Run ads promoting your entire product range
- Collection Ads: Showcase multiple products in immersive format
- Automated Updates: Prices and availability sync automatically
Important: You MUST have a product catalog set up before you can run Dynamic Product Ads. The catalog is what Facebook pulls product data from to create personalized ads.
Requirements for Facebook Catalog Feed
BigCommerce Requirements
- Active BigCommerce store (any plan)
- Products with complete information (title, description, price, images)
- High-quality product images (minimum 500x500px, square 1:1 ratio recommended)
- Accurate inventory tracking enabled
- Valid product URLs that are publicly accessible
Facebook Requirements
- Facebook Business Manager account
- Facebook Page for your business
- Commerce Manager access
- Agreement to Facebook's Commerce Policies
- Valid business information and tax ID (for selling on Facebook Shops)
Method 1: Using BigCommerce Facebook Channel (Recommended)
The easiest way to sync your BigCommerce products to Facebook is using the built-in Facebook Channel integration.
Step 1: Set Up Facebook Business Manager
- Go to business.facebook.com
- Click "Create Account"
- Enter your business name and details
- Add your Facebook Page
- Complete business verification (may take 1-3 days)
Step 2: Create Product Catalog in Commerce Manager
- Go to Commerce Manager
- Click "Get Started"
- Select "E-commerce" as catalog type
- Name your catalog (e.g., "My Store Products")
- Click "Create"
Step 3: Connect BigCommerce Facebook Channel
- In your BigCommerce control panel, go to Channel Manager
- Find "Facebook" in the channel list
- Click "Connect" or "Get Started"
- Click "Connect to Facebook"
- Log in with your Facebook account (must have Business Manager admin access)
- Grant the requested permissions
Step 4: Configure Facebook Channel Settings
After connecting, you'll configure the channel:
A. Select Facebook Assets
- Business Manager: Select your business
- Facebook Page: Choose your business page
- Product Catalog: Select the catalog you created
- Ad Account: (Optional) Select if running ads
B. Product Selection
Choose which products to sync:
- All Products: Sync entire catalog automatically
- Selected Products: Manually choose which products to include
- By Category: Select specific categories to sync
✅ Recommendation: Start with "All Products" to get everything synced, then use Facebook's product sets to organize and segment for different campaigns.
C. Product Data Mapping
Map BigCommerce fields to Facebook catalog fields:
| BigCommerce Field | → Facebook Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | → id | Unique product identifier |
| Product Name | → title | Product name shown in ads |
| Description | → description | Product details |
| Price | → price | Current selling price |
| Sale Price | → sale_price | Discounted price if on sale |
| Product URL | → link | Direct link to product page |
| Image URL | → image_link | Main product image |
| Brand | → brand | Product brand name |
| Inventory Level | → availability | In stock / Out of stock |
D. Category Mapping
Map your BigCommerce categories to Facebook's standard categories:
- Clothing & Accessories
- Electronics
- Home & Garden
- Health & Beauty
- Sports & Outdoors
- And 200+ more standard categories
Proper category mapping helps Facebook:
- Show products in relevant searches
- Apply correct category-specific policies
- Optimize ad delivery to interested audiences
Step 5: Configure Sync Settings
Set up automatic synchronization:
- Sync Frequency: Daily (recommended) or manually triggered
- Auto-Sync: Enable to keep catalog updated automatically
- Price Updates: Sync price changes immediately or daily
- Inventory Updates: Mark out-of-stock items as unavailable
- New Products: Automatically add new products to catalog
✅ Recommended Sync Settings
- Automatic Daily Sync: ON
- Real-time Inventory Updates: ON (if available on your plan)
- Price Sync: Daily
- Image Sync: When changed
- Remove Deleted Products: ON
Step 6: Initial Product Upload
- Review all settings
- Click "Save" and "Sync Products"
- BigCommerce will start uploading products to Facebook
- Initial sync takes 15 minutes to several hours (depending on catalog size)
- You'll receive email notification when complete
Step 7: Verify Upload in Commerce Manager
- Go to Facebook Commerce Manager
- Select your catalog
- Check "Items" tab - should show all synced products
- Review "Diagnostics" tab for any errors or warnings
- Fix any issues flagged by Facebook
Method 2: Manual Product Feed Upload
If you prefer manual control or can't use the Facebook Channel, you can create and upload a product feed file.
Step 1: Export Products from BigCommerce
- Go to Products → Export
- Select "All Products" or filter by category
- Choose CSV format
- Click "Export"
- Download the exported file
Step 2: Format Feed for Facebook
Facebook requires specific fields in your feed. Here's the minimum required format:
id,title,description,availability,condition,price,link,image_link,brand
SKU-001,Blue Running Shoes,Lightweight shoes for running,in stock,new,49.99 USD,https://store.com/shoes,https://store.com/images/shoes.jpg,Nike
SKU-002,Red T-Shirt,Cotton t-shirt,in stock,new,19.99 USD,https://store.com/tshirt,https://store.com/images/tshirt.jpg,Adidas
Required Facebook Catalog Fields
| Field | Required? | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | ✅ Required | Alphanumeric, max 100 chars | SKU-12345 |
| title | ✅ Required | Text, max 150 chars | Blue Running Shoes |
| description | ✅ Required | Text, max 5000 chars | Lightweight running shoes... |
| availability | ✅ Required | in stock, out of stock, preorder | in stock |
| condition | ✅ Required | new, refurbished, used | new |
| price | ✅ Required | Number with currency code | 49.99 USD |
| link | ✅ Required | Full product URL | https://store.com/product |
| image_link | ✅ Required | Full image URL, min 500x500px | https://store.com/image.jpg |
| brand | ⚠️ Recommended | Text | Nike |
| google_product_category | ⚠️ Recommended | Category ID or full path | Apparel & Accessories > Shoes |
| product_type | Optional | Your custom category | Running Shoes > Men's |
Step 3: Upload Feed to Facebook
- Go to Commerce Manager → Your Catalog
- Click "Add Items" → "Data Feed"
- Choose "Upload File"
- Select your formatted CSV or XML file
- Click "Upload"
- Facebook will validate and process the feed (10-30 minutes)
Step 4: Set Up Scheduled Feed Updates
- In your catalog, go to "Data Sources"
- Click "Add Data Source" → "Data Feed"
- Choose "Scheduled Feed"
- Enter feed URL (host your CSV/XML file on your server)
- Set update frequency (Daily at specific time recommended)
- Click "Start Upload"
Example feed URL structure:
https://yourstore.com/facebook-product-feed.csv
or
https://yourstore.com/feeds/facebook_catalog.xml
⚠️ Manual Feed Limitations
- Maintenance burden: Must manually update feed file
- Delayed updates: Changes only sync at scheduled times
- Error-prone: Format mistakes can break entire feed
- No real-time inventory: Out-of-stock items may still advertise
Recommendation: Use BigCommerce Facebook Channel instead for automatic, real-time syncing.
Optimizing Your Product Catalog for Better Performance
1. Product Titles
Bad title: "Shoes"
Good title: "Nike Air Max 270 Men's Running Shoes - Blue/White"
Title Optimization Checklist:
- Include brand name
- Specify product type/category
- Add key attributes (color, size, material)
- Keep under 150 characters
- Use sentence case, not ALL CAPS
- Include relevant keywords
- Be specific and descriptive
2. Product Images
Image Requirements:
- Minimum: 500x500 pixels
- Recommended: 1024x1024 pixels or higher
- Aspect Ratio: Square (1:1) works best
- Format: JPG or PNG
- File Size: Under 8MB
- Quality: High resolution, well-lit, clear product
- Background: White or neutral (no busy patterns)
- No Text: Avoid promotional text overlays
3. Product Descriptions
Write compelling descriptions that include:
- Key Features: What makes the product special
- Benefits: How it helps the customer
- Specifications: Size, material, dimensions, weight
- Use Cases: When/how to use the product
- Keywords: Terms people search for
Example:
Nike Air Max 270 Men's Running Shoes
Experience ultimate comfort with Nike's innovative Air cushioning technology.
These running shoes feature:
• Max Air unit for exceptional impact protection
• Breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool
• Durable rubber outsole for traction
• Lightweight design (only 10.5 oz)
• Available in multiple colorways
Perfect for daily runs, gym workouts, or casual wear. The Air Max 270
delivers style and performance in one versatile package.
4. Pricing Strategy
- Competitive Pricing: Research competitors and price accordingly
- Use Sale Prices: Show discounts with both price and sale_price fields
- Include Currency: Always specify (e.g., "49.99 USD")
- Show Savings: Facebook highlights discounts automatically when sale price is present
5. Product Variants
For products with multiple options (size, color), use item groups:
- item_group_id: Same ID for all variants of a product
- Parent Product: Shows all options in one ad
- Variant Fields: size, color, material, pattern
Example variants structure:
id,item_group_id,title,size,color,price
SKU-001-S-BLU,SHIRT-001,Cotton T-Shirt,S,Blue,19.99 USD
SKU-001-M-BLU,SHIRT-001,Cotton T-Shirt,M,Blue,19.99 USD
SKU-001-L-BLU,SHIRT-001,Cotton T-Shirt,L,Blue,19.99 USD
SKU-001-S-RED,SHIRT-001,Cotton T-Shirt,S,Red,19.99 USD
SKU-001-M-RED,SHIRT-001,Cotton T-Shirt,M,Red,19.99 USD
6. Custom Labels for Segmentation
Use custom labels to organize products for targeted campaigns:
| Label Field | Example Use | Values |
|---|---|---|
| custom_label_0 | Performance | Best Seller, Average, Low Seller |
| custom_label_1 | Season | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Year-Round |
| custom_label_2 | Margin | High Margin, Medium, Low |
| custom_label_3 | Price Tier | Budget, Mid-Range, Premium, Luxury |
| custom_label_4 | Promotion | On Sale, Clearance, New Arrival, Featured |
Use custom labels to create product sets for specific campaigns (e.g., advertise only "Best Sellers" or "High Margin" products).
Troubleshooting Common Catalog Issues
Using Facebook Diagnostics
- Go to Commerce Manager → Your Catalog
- Click "Diagnostics" tab
- Review errors and warnings
- Click on each issue for details and fix recommendations
Common Errors and Solutions
❌ Error: "Invalid Image"
Cause: Image too small, wrong format, or URL not accessible
Solution:
- Ensure images are minimum 500x500 pixels
- Use JPG or PNG format only
- Verify image URLs load in browser
- Check that images are publicly accessible (not password protected)
❌ Error: "Missing Required Field"
Cause: Product missing id, title, description, price, link, or image_link
Solution:
- Check which field is missing in error details
- Update product in BigCommerce to include required info
- Trigger manual sync to update Facebook catalog
❌ Error: "Invalid Price Format"
Cause: Price not in correct format with currency
Solution:
- Format: "49.99 USD" (number space currency code)
- Don't include currency symbols ($, €, £)
- Use standard ISO currency codes (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
❌ Error: "Duplicate ID"
Cause: Multiple products have the same ID
Solution:
- Ensure each product/variant has unique SKU in BigCommerce
- For variants, use different SKUs (e.g., SHIRT-S, SHIRT-M, SHIRT-L)
- Check for accidentally duplicated products
⚠️ Warning: "Low Quality Image"
Cause: Image meets minimum size but is poor quality
Solution:
- Upload higher resolution images (1024x1024 or larger)
- Ensure good lighting and clear product visibility
- Remove blurry or pixelated photos
- Use professional product photography
⚠️ Warning: "Missing Recommended Field"
Cause: Missing optional but recommended fields like brand or google_product_category
Solution:
- Add brand information to products
- Map products to appropriate Google product categories
- While not required, these fields improve ad performance
Products Not Syncing from BigCommerce
If products aren't appearing in Facebook catalog:
- Check product visibility: Ensure products are published and visible in BigCommerce
- Review Facebook Channel settings: Confirm products are selected for sync
- Verify category mapping: Make sure categories are properly mapped
- Check for errors: Look in BigCommerce Facebook Channel logs for sync errors
- Manual sync: Trigger a manual sync in BigCommerce Channel Manager
- Reconnect channel: If persistent issues, try disconnecting and reconnecting Facebook Channel
Managing Your Product Catalog
Creating Product Sets
Product sets let you organize products for specific campaigns:
- In Commerce Manager, go to your catalog
- Click "Sets" tab
- Click "Create Set"
- Name your set (e.g., "Summer Collection", "Best Sellers")
- Add products:
- Manual selection: Individually select products
- Automated rules: Filter by price, brand, category, custom labels
- Save set
Example automated product set rules:
Product Set: "High-Margin Summer Items"
Rules:
- custom_label_2 = "High Margin"
- custom_label_1 = "Summer"
- price < 100 USD
- availability = "in stock"
Monitoring Catalog Health
Regularly check these metrics in Commerce Manager:
- Active Items: Number of products currently in catalog
- Items with Errors: Should be 0 (fix any errors immediately)
- Items with Warnings: Prioritize fixing to improve performance
- Products Viewed (7 days): How many products shoppers viewed
- Products Added to Cart (7 days): Products with purchase intent
- Products Purchased (7 days): Converting products
Updating Product Information
With BigCommerce Facebook Channel:
- Automatic updates: Changes in BigCommerce sync to Facebook daily
- Price changes: Updated within 24 hours
- Inventory: Out-of-stock status syncs (frequency depends on settings)
- New products: Automatically added to catalog if sync is enabled
- Deleted products: Removed from Facebook if configured
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Algoboost automatically tracks product views for your catalog with correctly matching product IDs. Get pixel + CAPI tracking setup in 5 minutes.
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Catalog Maintenance Checklist:
- Weekly: Check Diagnostics tab for new errors/warnings
- Weekly: Review product performance in Insights
- Monthly: Audit product images for quality
- Monthly: Update product descriptions with keywords
- Monthly: Review and update custom labels
- Quarterly: Remove discontinued products
- Seasonally: Create new product sets for seasonal campaigns
- Always: Keep prices and inventory updated
Optimization Tips
- High-Quality Images: Invest in professional product photography - dramatically improves CTR
- Competitive Pricing: Monitor competitors and price accordingly
- Complete Information: Fill out all optional fields (brand, google_product_category, etc.)
- Regular Updates: Keep catalog current with new products and seasonal items
- Use Custom Labels: Organize products for targeted campaigns
- Test Product Sets: Create sets and test performance of different product groups
- Remove Poor Performers: Exclude products with consistently low ROAS
Conclusion
Setting up a Facebook product catalog feed for your BigCommerce store is essential for running Dynamic Product Ads, Facebook Shops, and Instagram Shopping. The BigCommerce Facebook Channel provides the easiest setup with automatic syncing, while manual feed uploads offer more control for advanced users.
Focus on catalog quality - high-resolution images, detailed descriptions, accurate pricing, and complete product information. Regular maintenance and optimization will ensure your catalog performs at its best, driving lower CPAs and higher ROAS for your Facebook advertising.
With a properly configured catalog and product tracking (via Algoboost or manual pixel implementation), you'll have everything needed to scale your Facebook advertising profitably.