Facebook Catalog 2024: Everything Need To Know

You are a Shopify or WooCommerce merchant? You are running Facebook ads? Then start using the Facebook catalog or regret later.

This sounds new to you? No worries, because we will explain what it is, why it should appear and how to set it up, along with some additional useful info. Time is money, so let’s go.

Overview of Facebook Catalog

Facebook catalog is actually no different from the traditional catalog since it stores all your products’ info to show to potential customers. With it, people can view all products on your Facebook shop or you are able to run different types of ads using the catalog.

To draw some of your interest in the Facebook catalog, we will jump right into the reasons why you should not ignore it. 

You will surely love the main use of the Facebook product catalog. Cross-selling, up-selling, remarketing, or other tactics like that to boost your bank account? Just a piece of cake with the dynamic ads created through the catalog.

Moreover, Facebook catalog can also be used to make collection ads, a great way to boost the sales numbers. Oh, there are more types of ads available for you with it as well. 

Using Catalog for Facebook Ads

The table above shows the ad types capable of being created using the Facebook catalog, and we guess that you have already had some ideas in mind.

Now, it is time to take a step further and take your Facebook catalog to the highest level.

Facebook Pixel Connection

The Facebook dynamic product ads or collection ads sound interesting, right? What an opportunity to be able to sell more and more. 

But, in order to do that, connecting the Facebook catalog to the Facebook Pixel is a must. The reason is pretty simple, you cannot do remarketing if there is no Facebook Pixel to collect past data, especially the visits or other actions taken by customers on your website. 

You can understand the Facebook Pixel as an intermediary between Facebook catalog and your website.

Let’s look at an example with us if you find that difficult to understand. 

You just released a new product on the web and nobody has viewed it yet. One day, a person viewed it, but did not add it to cart. Now since Facebook Pixel knows that, of course, Facebook knows that too and will retarget that person with a dynamic ad of that new product.  

What is more? Oh, yeah, you will find the Facebook Pixel superbly useful if your store is selling a high number of different products. Because the Facebook catalog will then be updated automatically based on your site, thus removing lots of manual work. 

All in all, never use the Facebook catalog without linking the Facebook Pixel. Besides, the connection between Facebook Pixel and Facebook catalog must be automatically and continuously.  As such, we are here to help with a guide on how to connect pixel to catalog in a later section of this article. 

Scheduled Data Feed

We all know that keeping the Facebook catalog updated regularly is a must, but it will take too much effort when being done manually. And so, Facebook has been really kind by releasing the scheduled data feed. 

Its use is quite similar to the Facebook Pixel as both will update the catalog automatically. However, the data feed is a spreadsheet file containing products’ information and you are allowed to schedule the update to happen on a specific basis.

The question here is why I have to care about the data feed if I have the Pixel. Well, the data feed lets you manage more inventory types rather than products solely. Also, it is much easier to set up.

That being said, the main mission of the scheduled data feed is not to get data, feed it to Facebook and run ads. Its use is to ensure that products’ information is constantly updated in a way that your Facebook catalog is kept up-to-date with store inventory.

A quick note here: if you are intending to use both Facebook Pixel and scheduled data feed to update the catalog, limit the Pixel to update only specific info to avoid conflicts. 

It takes only a few steps to create data feed, keep following us to the section below. Oh, but before that, we should get into the most basic thing first, how to create a facebook catalog. 

Setting Up Your Facebook Catalog

Before getting into the steps, this is a list of things that you need to have: a Facebook page, a Business Manager account with full control. 

Alright, to the main part.

• Step 1: Go to Facebook Commerce Manager and click on Get Started.

• Step 2: Choose Create a Catalogue, then Get Started.

• Step 3: Pick the type of products that you sell and press Next.

• Step 4: Select Connect a partner platform, open the drop down menu and Shopify, then click on Go to Shopify and follow the instructions. 

• Step 5: Pick the business account (with full control) to link the Facebook catalog to. 
• Step 6: Name the catalog, then click on Create.

And that concludes the lesson on how to set up a facebook catalog. For a more convenient setup and also to support the two processes below, our recommendation is to switch to Two Owls.

Always remember to connect the Pixel to the Facebook Catalog and yes, we got that covered in the next heading.

Connect Facebook Pixel to Facebook Catalog

To connect your Pixel to the Facebook catalog, what to have first? A pixel on your website containing standard events for dynamic ads (ViewContent, AddToCart, Purchase) along with matching ID for products on web and catalog.

And, here we go.

• Step 1: Head to Commerce Manager, then choose your current catalog.
• Step 2: Go to the Catalogue tab and then Events. 
• Step 3: Click on Manage event sources, toggle on the Pixel under the Connection section and then Save when done.

Looks easy but it is pretty crucial because without the events data from the Pixel, Facebook cannot run accurate dynamic ads. Remember that.

Oh, and we have a little bonus for you here and it is how to update the Facebook catalog using Pixel.

Again, you will need the following things to be able to start: a working Facebook Pixel connected to your website, the ViewContent standard event in each product page’s pixel code, microdata tags for the product pages, a Business Manager account with full control. 

Now, let’s get into it. 

• Step 1: Head to Commerce Manager, choose your catalog, open the Catalogue tab and then Data sources
• Step 2: Hit Add items and then Add multiple items.
• Step 3: Pick the pixel connected to your website then Next.
• Step 4: If you want to limit the updates to only certain items, choose Add filters, otherwise, select Next. 
• Step 5: Click on Add trusted websites, enter your website domain without the http:// or www, then Save and Next. 
• Step 6: Select the currency to display on the catalog, then hit Next. 

Well, that is done. Now wait for the Pixel to be active (please allow up to 24 hours) and your catalog will be updated every time someone does something on a product page. 

In case this sounds too much for you, turn to Two Owls to make everything simpler. 

And now, it is the scheduled data feed’s turn. 

Update Facebook Catalog with Scheduled Data Feed

And again, make sure that you have a spreadsheet file containing the required fields for the products and being hosted on a server (Dropbox, Google Sheets) before thinking of the scheduled data feed. 

To the main part.

• Step 1: Head to Commerce Manager, your catalog, Catalogue tab and then Data sources. 
• Step 2: Choose Add items, Add multiple items, Data feed and Next. 
• Step 3: Select Yes for the question "Is your spreadsheet or file ready?” then hit Next. 
• Step 4: Pick the desired way to upload the file. If you choose to upload from your computer, it must be a spreadsheet file with a maximum size of 100 MB. If you select Use URL or Use Google Sheets, paste the file link, choose the upload schedule, then click on the pen icon to make changes if necessary and finally hit Save feed and upload. 

There is an easier way to do this and in case you are curious, the answer is Two Owls. Not wanting to flex, but Two Owls even updates the catalog dynamically, in real-time for you with 5 minutes setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6CVpeMNTwE

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Your Facebook Catalog

When managing a Facebook Catalog, you might encounter a few common issues. Here's how to address them effectively:

1. Sync Errors: Often occur when there is a disconnect between your eCommerce platform and the Facebook Catalog. Ensure that all integration settings are correct and that you have the latest version of the integration app or plugin installed.
2. Product Rejections: If products are being rejected from your catalog, check for compliance with Facebook's commerce policies. Make sure that product images, descriptions, and metadata do not violate any guidelines.
3. Connectivity Issues: Problems such as slow updates or failed data transfers can disrupt your catalog's performance. Verify your internet connection and server status, and consider scheduling data transfers during off-peak hours to reduce load.

By systematically addressing these issues, you can maintain a smooth and effective operation of your Facebook Catalog, enhancing both user experience and product visibility.

Wrap Up

Well, now you have learned pretty much everything essential for the Facebook catalog including its basics, how to set up a catalog on Facebook, Pixel connection and data feed. Now, get the deserved returns: dynamic and collection ads. 

If you utilize them well, then there is nothing stopping you from earning more and more each day. Please always keep in mind that Facebook catalog cannot do anything without the Facebook Pixel associated. 

Mentioning about it, everything above will become a piece of cake given that you have a tool like Two Owls by your side. Direct login or scheduled data feed synchronization? Two Owls offer both along with easy Pixel set up. 

FAQs about Facebook Catalog

What Is The Difference Between Facebook Shop and Catalog?

Well, the Facebook Shop is a shop, it is like a storefront while the Facebook catalog takes the role of a warehouse. 

Where Can I Find My Facebook Catalog? 

Firstly, head to the Business Settings then choose the Business Manager account containing the catalog. Next, go to Data sources and then Catalogues. Finally, open your catalog. 

How Many Catalogs Can I Have on Facebook Shop?

For one Facebook Shop, only one Facebook Catalog can be used and it is fixed.