In the world of Google Merchant Center (GMC), we’re all still getting used to the "Next" version of things. One of the most common questions I get is about the transition of Feed Rules into what are now called Attribute Rules.

In my latest video on the Merchant Center Mastery YouTube channel, I decided to break this down for the beginners. If you’re feeling a little lost with the new UI or just want to make sure your product data is actually doing what it’s supposed to, this one is for you.

The "Why" Behind Attribute Rules

Look, I’ve always said that your feed is the heart of your Shopping campaigns. But sometimes that heart needs a little bypass surgery. Maybe your backend system provides "Blue/Navy/Striped" but you just want "Navy" in the title. Or maybe you need to map a specific promotion_id to a group of products without bothering your dev team.

That’s where Attribute Rules come in. They allow us to manipulate data within GMC without touching the primary source.

What We Covered:

In the video, I walk through the practical "how-to" of these rules, specifically:

• Enabling the Goods: How to actually find and turn on Supplemental Sources and Attribute Rules (they aren't always front-and-center in GMC Next).
• The Data Hierarchy: Understanding which source "wins" when you have multiple data points competing for the same attribute.
• Mapping & Testing: I show you the specific steps to create a rule—like setting a promotion_id or editing product titles—and, more importantly, how to test it before you push it live. (Never skip the test. Seriously.)

Stop Hacking, Start Thinking

A lot of people treat GMC like a "set it and forget it" tool, but the reality is that clean data is your biggest competitive advantage in a PMax world. If you aren't using Attribute Rules to refine your brand's presentation in the SERP, you're leaving money on the table.

Watch the full walkthrough here: How to Set Up Attribute Rules in GMC Next

Want to dive deeper into the philosophy of PPC and why "scaling" isn't always the answer? Check out my book, Stop the Scale, or reach out to the team at ZATO.

‍