Making sure the product feed is working

Check the status of your data source and identify any issues or errors

Table of Contents

Checking feed statusError typesDownload errorFormat errorEmpty errorInvalid products errorOther errorLooking at the feedExamples of unsupported feedsLocalization FeedsReal EstateDestinationHotelFlightsVehicle / Automobile

This article describes the typical process of diagnosing errors in a product feed inserted into Confect.

The main thing to note is, that confect only supports product feeds for eCommerce. Any type of feed formatted for Real Estate, Vehicles, Destinations etc. is not yet supported.

Checking feed status

You can always check the status of a feed by going into Settings > Data Sources.

Should a feed have an error, a more detailed explanation can be found below the source table. A failing feed will have a dropdown you can click to expand, and the description of the error will be displayed. Below is listed the possible error types and their course of action.

Error types

Download error

The feed cannot be downloaded. Try opening the URL in your browser, it will probably fail. This is usually because the URL is wrong, or the access to the feed is being blocked.

This can usually be fixed by setting the sharing, or access, settings (depending on the software) to allow reading/ viewing access.

Format error

The feed can be read but is in the wrong format.

Refer to the Product feed requirements article.

Empty error

The feed works but is completely empty. This can happen if the user uses scraping or other unusual methods to collect the feed. In this case, only the user can fix this.

Invalid products error

The feed contains invalid products. This usually means that one of the required fields is missing from some of the products. 

The missing fields will be displayed in the feed error status. Refer to the Product feed requirements for an overview of which fields are required for Confect.

Other error

This is an unknown error and usually happens if our feed import program simply crashed while trying to process the feed. Use the "Looking at the feed" section below to manually check out the feed and determine the issue.

Looking at the feed

Simply copy the feed link and open it in your browser.

If the feed fails to load you will probably have to ask a developer to look at it.

If it opens you can refer to the Product feed requirements to see if the items in the feed have all required fields to work and are in the correct format. 

For examples of other feed types we typically see but do not support, see below.

Examples of unsupported feeds

A lot of different types of feeds for dynamic ads exist, however Confect only supports feeds which are formatted for products.

Localization Feeds

A localization feed looks just like a regular product feed but does not contain images and other "shared" info. It only overrides the text fields with translations for another country.

As this doesn’t contain all the required fields, it cannot be used.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:g="http://base.google.com/ns/1.0">
    <channel>
        <title><![CDATA[Facebook Country Feed Localization]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[Data feed for localizing products in Facebook Catalog.]]></description>
            <item>
            <!-- NORWAY : Basic Product Information -->
            <id><![CDATA[SG_Caps]]></id>
            <override><![CDATA[NO]]></override>
            <title><![CDATA[Product title]]></title>
            <description><![CDATA[A great product description]]></description>
            <g:google_product_category><![CDATA[Google product category]]></g:google_product_category>
            <g:age_group><![CDATA[adult]]></g:age_group>
            <g:size><![CDATA[Onesize]]></g:size>
            <g:color><![CDATA[Color]]></g:color>
            <link><![CDATA[https://product-link]]></link>
            <!-- Availability & Price -->
            <price><![CDATA[269.00 NOK]]></price>
            <sale_price><![CDATA[0.00 NOK]]></sale_price>
            <availability><![CDATA[instock]]></availability>
            <sale_price_effective_date><![CDATA[/]]></sale_price_effective_date>
        </item>
    </channel>
</rss>

Real Estate

The information (attributes) in this feed (i.e. address, neighborhood, etc.) cannot be processed by Confect.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<listings>
    <title>example.com Feed</title>
    <link rel="self" href="http://www.example.com"/>
    <listing>
        <home_listing_id>12345678</home_listing_id>
        <name>1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025</name>
        <availability>for_sale</availability>
        <description>An amazing listing</description>
        <address format="simple">
            <component name="addr1">1 Hacker Way</component>
            <component name="city">Menlo Park</component>
            <component name="region">California</component>
            <component name="country">United States</component>
            <component name="postal_code">94025</component>
        </address>
        <latitude>1.11414</latitude>
        <longitude>-1.835003</longitude>
        <neighborhood>Menlo Oaks</neighborhood>
        <image>
            <url>https://image-url.jpg</url>
        </image>
        <listing_type>for_sale_by_agent</listing_type>
        <num_baths>6</num_baths>
        <num_beds>5</num_beds>
        <num_units>1</num_units>
        <price>110000 USD</price>
        <property_type>house</property_type>
        <url>http://www.example.com/link_to_listing</url>
        <year_built>2007</year_built>
        <available_dates_price_config>
            <start_date>2020-11-15</start_date>
            <end_date>2020-12-01</end_date>
            <rate>10000</rate>
            <currency>USD</currency>
            <interval>nightly</interval>
        </available_dates_price_config>
        <available_dates_price_config>
            <start_date>2020-11-15</start_date>
            <end_date>2020-12-01</end_date>
            <rate>50000</rate>
            <currency>USD</currency>
            <interval>weekly</interval>
        </available_dates_price_config>
        <applink property="ios_url" content="example://propertyDetails/1234567"/>
        <applink property="ios_app_store_id" content="7654321"/>
        <applink property="ios_app_name" content="Example App"/>
        <applink property="android_url" content="example://listing/1234567"/>
        <applink property="android_package" content="com.app.example"/>
        <applink property="android_app_name" content="Example App"/>
    </listing>
</listings>

Destination

The information (attributes) in this feed (i.e. latitude, longitude, etc.) cannot be processed by Confect.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<listings>
    <title>My Destination Feed</title>
    <link rel="self" href="http://www.example.com"/>
    <listing>
        <destination_id>123456789</destination_id>
        <name>The best destination</name>
        <description>My destination is the best.</description>
        <address format="simple">
          <component name="addr1">1 Market Street</component>
          <component name="city">San Francisco</component>
          <component name="region">California</component>
          <component name="country">United States</component>
          <component name="postal_code">94117</component>
        </address>
        <latitude>37.7712</latitude>
        <longitude>-122.4424</longitude>
        <neighborhood>Mission</neighborhood>
        <neighborhood>SoMa</neighborhood>
        <image>
            <url>http://example.com/some.image_1.jpg</url>
            <tag>City</tag>
            <tag>Package</tag>
        </image>
        <image>
            <url>http://example.com/some.image_2.jpg</url>
            <tag>Tour</tag>
            <tag>Landmark</tag>
        </image>
        <type>city</type>
        <type>culture</type>
        <price>199.99 USD</price>
        <price_change>-20</price_change>
        <url>http://www.example-link</url>
        <applink property="ios_url" content="example-ios://travelapp" />
        <applink property="ios_app_store_id" content="42" />
        <applink property="ios_app_name" content="Travel App iOS" />
        <applink property="iphone_url" content="example-iphone://travelapp" />
        <applink property="iphone_app_store_id" content="43" />
        <applink property="iphone_app_name" content="Travel App iPhone" />
        <applink property="ipad_url" content="example-ipad://travelapp" />
        <applink property="ipad_app_store_id" content="44" />
        <applink property="ipad_app_name" content="Travel App iPad" />
        <applink property="android_url" content="example-android://travelapp" />
        <applink property="android_package" content="com.travelapp" />
        <applink property="android_class" content="com.travelapp.Example" />
        <applink property="android_app_name" content="Travel App Android" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_url" content="example-windows://travelapp" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_app_id" content="64ec0d1b-5b3b-4c77-a86b-5e12d465edc0" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_app_name" content="Travel App Windows" />
    </listing>
</listings>

Hotel

The information (attributes) in this feed (i.e. address, star rating, etc.) cannot be processed by Confect.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<listings>
    <title>My Hotel Feed</title>
    <listing>
        <hotel_id>1234</hotel_id>
        <name>The best hotel</name>
        <description>A very nice hotel</description>
        <brand>Premium_brand</brand>
        <address format="simple">
            <component name="addr1">100 Main Street</component>
            <component name="city">North Pole</component>
        <component name="city_id">12345</component>
            <component name="region">ABC</component>
            <component name="country">US</component>
            <component name="postal_code">11111</component>
        </address>
        <latitude>90.00000</latitude>
        <longitude>0.00000</longitude>
        <neighborhood>North Pole</neighborhood>
        <neighborhood>South Hampshire</neighborhood>
        <margin_level>8</margin_level>
        <base_price>199.99 USD</base_price>
        <phone>+12 3-456789</phone>
        <star_rating>4</star_rating>
        <guest_rating>
            <score>7.8</score>
            <rating_system>tripAdvisor</rating_system>
            <number_of_reviewers>300</number_of_reviewers>
        </guest_rating>
        <guest_rating>
            <score>5.1</score>
            <rating_system>tripAdvisor</rating_system>
            <number_of_reviewers>123</number_of_reviewers>
        </guest_rating>
        <image>
            <url>http://example.com/image_1.jpg</url>
            <tag>Swimming pool</tag>
            <tag>Gym</tag>
        </image>
        <image>
            <url>https://example.com/image_2.jpg</url>
            <tag>Lobby view</tag>
            <tag>Overview</tag>
        </image>
        <loyalty_program>Premium_program</loyalty_program>
        <url>http://www.example-link</url>
        <applink property="ios_url" content="example-ios://electronic" />
        <applink property="ios_app_store_id" content="42" />
        <applink property="ios_app_name" content="Electronic Example iOS" />
        <applink property="iphone_url" content="example-iphone://electronic" />
        <applink property="iphone_app_store_id" content="43" />
        <applink property="iphone_app_name" content="Electronic Example iPhone" />
        <applink property="ipad_url" content="example-ipad://electronic" />
        <applink property="ipad_app_store_id" content="44" />
        <applink property="ipad_app_name" content="Electronic Example iPad" />
        <applink property="android_url" content="example-android://electronic" />
        <applink property="android_package" content="com.electronic" />
        <applink property="android_class" content="com.electronic.Example" />
        <applink property="android_app_name" content="Electronic Example Android" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_url" content="example-windows://electronic" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_app_id" content="64ec0d1b-5b3b-4c77-a86b-5e12d465edc0" />
        <applink property="windows_phone_app_name" content="Electronic Example Windows" />
    </listing>
</listings>

Flights

The information (attributes) in this feed (i.e. origin and destination airport, etc.) cannot be processed by Confect.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<listings>
    <title>My Flight Feed</title>
    <link rel="self" href="http://www.example.com"/>
    <listing>
        <origin_airport>BOS</origin_airport>
        <destination_airport>SFO</destination_airport>
        <image>
            <url>http://example.com/some.image_1.jpg</url>
            <tag>city</tag>
        </image>
        <image>
            <url>http://example.com/some.image_2.jpg</url>
            <tag>food</tag>
        </image>
        <price>100.00 USD</price>
        <description>Best Flight</description>
    </listing>
</listings>

Vehicle / Automobile

The information (attributes) in this feed (i.e. vehicle id, mileage, etc.) cannot be processed by Confect.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<listings>
  <title>Sample Vehicles Feed</title>
  <link rel="self" href="https://www.example.com/dealers/cars/1234/?r=vddn" />
  <listing>
    <vehicle_id>3456553</vehicle_id>
    <title>Ford B-MAX ZETEC</title>
    <description>Adjustable Steering Column, Adjustable Steering Wheel, Air Bags, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Anti Lock Brakes, Bluetooth Preparation (Phone), CD Player, CD Radio, Driver Airbag, Electric & Heated Door Mirrors, Electric Windows, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Front Electric Windows, Front Fog Lights, Height Adjustable Drivers Seat, Passenger Airbag, Power Assisted Steering (PAS), Power Fold &amp; Heated DoorMirrors, Rear Parking Sensor, Remote Boot Release, Remote Central Locking, Solid Paint,LOW MILEAGE WITH A FULL FORD HISTORY, SUPPLIED FROM US,</description>
    <url>https://www.example.com/car-1234>
    <make>Ford</make>
    <image>
      <url>https://www.example.com/1234/image_1.jpg</url>
    </image>
    <image>
      <url>https://www.example.com/1234/image_2.jpg</url>
    </image>
    <image>
      <url>https://www.example.com/1234/image_3.jpg</url>
    </image>
    <model>B-MAX</model>
    <year>2015</year>
    <mileage>
      <value>15617</value>
      <unit>MI</unit>
    </mileage>
    <drivetrain>Other</drivetrain>
    <vin>1A2BCDEF3GH456789</vin>
    <body_style>OTHER</body_style>
    <fuel_type>Gasoline</fuel_type>
    <transmission>Manual</transmission>
    <price>9490 GBP</price>
    <address format="simple">
      <component name="addr1">Sample Road</component>
      <component name="city">Carland</component>
      <component name="region">North Test</component>
      <component name="country">United States of America</component>
      <component name="postal_code">12345</component>
    </address>
    <latitude>37.484419</latitude>
    <longitude>-122.148406</longitude>
    <exterior_color>White</exterior_color>
    <state_of_vehicle>Used</state_of_vehicle>
    <dealer_id>453356</dealer_id>
    <vehicle_registration_plate>AB12CD</vehicle_registration_plate>
    <fb_page_id>5636367576574</fb_page_id>
    <dealer_communication_channel>LEAD_FORM</dealer_communication_channel>
    <dealer_privacy_policy_url>https://www.example.com/privacy/</dealer_privacy_policy_url>
  </listing>
</listings>

Related Articles

Product feed requirements

See the format requirements for a product feed data source in Confect