How to Fix the “Offer Does Not Exist” Error in Google Merchant Center
Running into the dreaded “Offer does not exist” error in Google Merchant Center?
You’re not alone. I recently hit this exact issue while trying to get a new client’s Google Shopping campaigns back on track. Despite having matching product IDs and correct feed data, Google still wouldn’t recognise the supplemental feed.
Here’s the fix that finally solved it — and how you can avoid hours of confusion.
What Causes the “Offer Does Not Exist” Error?
This error shows up when Google Merchant Center can’t connect your supplemental feed to your primary feed — even if everything seems to match.
In my case, the issue boiled down to a mismatched feed label.
The Context: Auditing a Broken Product Feed
I was auditing a Merchant Center account for a client whose product ads had stopped performing. As part of the cleanup, I introduced a supplemental feed (now called a “supplemental source”) to enrich product data and test improvements before going live.
But when uploading the supplemental feed, I saw:
Error: Offer does not exist
This error affected all three products I was trialling — despite all data appearing correct:
Product IDs matched
Titles and descriptions were identical
The products existed in the Merchant Center
So what was the problem?
The Real Issue: Feed Label Mismatch
The issue was hiding in the feed label configuration.
My supplemental feed had a hyphenated feed label (e.g. label-hyphen) because I’d seen that used in the primary feed URL source. I assumed that matching the format would link the products correctly.
But it turns out that unless the feed labels match exactly across both primary and supplemental feeds, Google won’t connect them — even if the product IDs are identical.
That tiny mismatch was the reason Google couldn’t “see” the products.
How I Fixed It
To resolve the issue:
I opened the primary feed settings in Google Merchant Center.
I checked the exact feed label assigned.
I updated my supplemental feed to use the exact same label — character-for-character, no assumptions.
Once the feed labels matched perfectly, the supplemental feed connected as expected and the error disappeared.
Key Takeaways for Fixing Supplemental Feed Errors
If you’re getting the “Offer does not exist” error in Google Merchant Center, here’s a quick checklist:
Double-check your product IDs in both feeds
Confirm the products are live and approved in your primary feed
Most importantly: ensure the feed labels match exactly
Even small differences (like dashes, capitalisation, or spacing) can break the connection.
Bonus Tip: Never Assume Feed Label Inheritance
Just because a feed label appears in the base file or auto-generates in the URL, doesn’t mean Google will apply it across feeds. Always assign and confirm it explicitly when using supplemental sources.
Need Help with Merchant Center Debugging?
This was a simple fix, but it cost me hours of trial and error. If you’re struggling to get your product feeds optimised, especially with supplemental feed syncing, I’m happy to help.
Let’s make your Google Shopping campaigns work smarter.
FAQs:
What does “Offer does not exist” mean in Google Merchant Center?
This error usually means that your supplemental feed contains product data that Google can’t match to any products in your primary feed. It’s often due to mismatched product IDs, feed labels, or inactive items in the main feed.
How do I link a supplemental feed to my primary feed in Google Merchant Center?
To link a supplemental feed:
Make sure the product IDs match exactly between both feeds.
Use the same feed label on both your primary and supplemental feeds.
Ensure the primary feed products are active and approved in your Merchant Center account.
Can feed label formatting cause errors?
Yes — even a small formatting difference (like a missing hyphen or extra space) in your feed label can stop Google from connecting the feeds. The labels must be an exact match.
How do I find the correct feed label to use?
Check the label under the Settings section of your primary feed. Use that exact string — including any symbols or formatting — when setting up your supplemental feed.
Do I need a feed label for a supplemental feed to work?
If your primary feed uses a label, the supplemental feed must match it. If not, you can usually leave the label blank — but both feeds must align.
What else can cause the “Offer does not exist” error?
Other common causes include:
Product IDs that don’t exist in the primary feed
Products not approved or active in Merchant Center
Supplemental feed using the wrong target country or language
What should I do if I’ve checked everything and it still doesn’t work?
Try reprocessing the feed manually and reviewing the Diagnostics tab in Merchant Center.
If you’re still stuck, reach out for a second pair of eyes. Sometimes it’s a small setting that gets missed.
