What pattern should I submit for a Google Shopping variant?
Direct answerSubmit one pattern, up to 100 characters, on every variant that is distinguished by it. Google’s pattern attribute, reviewed November 2, 2026, is required when products vary by pattern. A solid product that shoppers do not choose by print can omit it.
One print, one product row
Google disapproves the product when the minimum requirements are missed. Those requirements are: describe the pattern or graphic, leave out values that belong in color, size, or material, submit the attribute for every product that varies by pattern, and submit only one value. Google’s dress examples are three rows, all size 8, all sharing item group ID 12345: Striped with color Black/grey, Dotted with color Black/grey, and Herringbone with color Gray.
A logo is a pattern in Google’s shirt examples. Men’s navy Bears shirt uses pattern bears. Women’s gray Tigers shirt uses pattern tigers. A polka-dot dress uses Polka dots. The value can be shown to shoppers, so Google’s best practice is a word they would search, not plka or strpd. Leave the field off rather than submitting n/a, none, multi, or other. Fabric rules stay on the material page. Color and size stay on the apparel page.
The variant group
Rows that differ by pattern use the same item group ID. Google’s note, dated May 2026 on the pattern page, says that if pattern identifies the variant you should also submit it in the variant option attribute. That sentence is a recommendation. The pattern attribute itself remains the field this page requires for a pattern variant. A text feed uses Striped. XML uses <g:pattern>Striped</g:pattern>. The field does not repeat. This page does not print a 7-day suspension warning.
Sources
Reviewed November 2, 2026. Policies change. This is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
The dress is striped and the other colorway is dotted. Is that one pattern field with both words?
No. Each variant gets one pattern value, and Google says later values in the same field are ignored. The striped dress and the dotted dress are two products. They share an item group ID. Google’s examples use Striped, Dotted, and Herringbone.
Can I submit n/a for a solid shirt?
No. Google’s best practice is to leave the attribute off when pattern is not relevant. Do not submit n/a, none, multi, or other. The field is required when the products vary by pattern. It is optional when pattern is simply a reason someone might buy.
The shirt has a team logo. Is the pattern the logo name?
Google’s example says yes. A T-shirt with a sports-team logo can use bears or tigers as the pattern. The title can still name the shirt. Color stays in the color attribute, and fabric stays in material. Do not put the print in those fields.
Check the variant the ad is about to group
LaunchGuarding can scan the product page for a print or color the feed variant does not match.