Google now allows you to define your shipping and return policies directly within Google Search Console. According to Google, settings configured in Search Console will override those defined on your website, including any product-level merchant listing markup.

For online merchants, this means you can utilize Google Search Console to view, create, and manage both shipping and return policies.

How it works. Access the Settings page of your Google Search Console by clicking the gears icon or visiting the settings section directly. From there, click on “shopping” and then select “shipping and returns.”

If your site is linked with Merchant Center, you’ll also be able to monitor the status of existing policies and add, edit, or remove policies via Google Search Console.

Adding shipping policies in Search Console

1. Access the Settings page for your Search Console property.
2. Navigate to Shopping and choose Shipping and returns.
3. Select the Shipping tab and click Add shipping policy.
4. Choose the applicable country for this policy.
5. Input delivery times—this should reflect the minimum and maximum number of days for item delivery.
6. Configure shipping costs. Options include flat rate (with a currency matching the selected country), free shipping over a set amount, or entirely free shipping.
7. Click Submit.
8. Repeat these steps for each country you serve.

Adding return policies in Search Console

1. Open the Settings page for your Search Console property.
2. Under Shopping, click Shipping and returns.
3. Go to the Returns tab and click Add return policy.
4. Choose the country for which the policy applies.
5. Provide the return policy URL—the link where customers can access your return terms.
6. Specify the return window. This is the number of days customers have to initiate a return, or mark as no returns accepted.
7. Define the return cost. Options are flat rate (currency must match the selected country), free returns, or a percentage of the product price. (Additional options and restrictions can be managed through Merchant Center).
8. Click Submit.
9. Repeat these steps for every country you ship to.

Editing or deleting policies in Search Console

1. Go to the Settings page for your Search Console property.
2. In the Shopping section, click Shipping and returns.
3. Click the (moreicon) next to the desired policy and choose either Edit or Delete.
4. For edits, follow the prompts. Deletions occur immediately upon confirmation.

Timing. Google notes that shipping details are instantly approved once submitted. Return policies, however, require manual verification and may take between 10 to 13 days for approval. Once submitted, return policies will appear as “pending” until verified by Google.

What it looks like. Below is a screenshot of the new settings interface:

Precedence. Google has outlined the following hierarchy for shipping and return policy information (from highest to lowest priority):

• Product-level feeds submitted in Merchant Center
• Return settings in the Content API for Shopping
• Settings in Merchant Center or Search Console
• Organization-level markup
• Product-level merchant listing markup

Why we care. If you've previously used other methods to convey your e-commerce store’s shipping and return details and want a more centralized way to manage them, Google Search Console now offers a streamlined solution.

Please remember that any configurations made in Search Console will override settings found in structured data or other markup formats.

The above is the detailed content of Google Search Console now lets you set your shipping and return policies. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!