Switching between Merchant Center Next and classic Merchant Center

A custom icon for Merchant Center Classic and Merchant Center Next.

If you have recently transitioned to Merchant Center Next and would like to check some functionality in classic Merchant Center, you can use the bidirectional switch option.

Historically, switching to classic Merchant Center from Merchant Center Next was a one-way option. From now on, switching back and forth between Merchant Center Next to classic Merchant Center is available until the classic Merchant Center is no longer available for you.

If you’ve already been using the Merchant Center Next experience for a while, this functionality may not be relevant for you. We recommend continuing to use Merchant Center Next.

What happens when I switch between Merchant Center Next and classic Merchant Center?

When you switch between Merchant Center Next and classic Merchant Center you’ll be able to use Merchant Center functionality across both versions.

Before you decide to switch back and forth, keep in mind classic Merchant Center will be deprecated soon. Bidirectional switch is hence only available for a limited time before classic Merchant Center is deprecated.

Important: When bidirectional switch becomes available, all features enabled at that time in the classic version of the account are available in the Merchant Center Next.

In isolated cases, some functionality is not yet available to every merchant in Merchant Center Next. If a merchant starts using such functionality in classic Merchant Center, they would temporarily not be eligible to use bidirectional switch to go to Merchant Center Next until that functionality is made available in Merchant Center Next. We plan to have all features available in classic Merchant Center to be available in Merchant Center Next during Q3 2024.

How do I switch?

From Merchant Center Next to classic Merchant Center

Step 1 In Merchant Center Next click the help icon at the top of the screen.

Step 2 Click Use classic Merchant Center.

Step 3 A disclaimer will appear. If you'd still like to continue, click Switch now.

Step 4 Your classic Merchant Center experience will now be available to use.

Step 5 Follow steps “From classic Merchant Center to Merchant Center Next” to go back again to Merchant Center Next experience.

Note: If the Use classic Merchant Center option isn’t available to you:

You aren’t an admin of the account. The bidirectional switch functionality is only available to users that have admin access to the account. Learn more About account user access levels.
Your account has been in the Merchant Center Next for some time and switching functionality is no longer available for you.

From classic Merchant Center to Merchant Center Next

Step 1 In your classic Merchant Center, the banner located at the top of the Overview page prompts you to transition to Merchant Center Next. Click Try new version.

Step 2 A pop-up welcomes you to Merchant Center Next. Click Get started.

Step 3 Your Merchant Center Next experience will now be available to use.

Step 4 Follow steps “From Merchant Center Next to classic Merchant Center” to go back again to classic Merchant Center experience.

Note: If the banner at the top of the Overview page isn’t available to you:

Your Merchant Center account isn’t eligible yet to transition to Merchant Center Next. We’re progressively releasing Merchant Center Next to all accounts. All accounts will be able to upgrade to Merchant Center Next during 2024.
You aren’t an admin of the Merchant Center account. Only users with admin access can use bidirectional switching.

What improvements does Merchant Center Next bring?

Merchant Center Next is an updated, fresher user interface for Merchant Center, simplifying our platform for businesses to manage how their products show up on Google.

Merchant Center Next is easier to use, lets you control how your products appear across Google, and gives you valuable insights about your business, products, and market.

FAQs

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Until when will I be able to switch back and forth between Merchant Center Next and classic Merchant Center?

The bidirectional switch capability will be decommissioned at the end of the transition period stated in the notification banner on your classic Merchant Center. At the end of the transition period, classic Merchant Center is no longer available for you including the capability to switch back and forth.

I can’t see the “Use classic Merchant Center” option in the Help menu.

This option is only available to users with admin access to the account.
Your account has been in the Merchant Center Next for some time and switching functionality is no longer available for you.

I've been using Merchant Center Next for a while now. Should I use the “Use classic Merchant Center” option of the Help menu?

If you’ve already been using the Merchant Center Next experience for a while, this functionality may not be relevant for you. We recommend continuing to use Merchant Center Next.

I can’t see the banner inviting me to transition to Merchant Center Next in my classic Merchant Center overview page.

The banner is only available when your classic Merchant Center account is eligible to switch to Merchant Center Next. All accounts are progressively transitioning to Merchant Center Next.

Are features and functionalities in Merchant Center Next and classic Merchant Center the same?

No. The navigation experience in classic Merchant Center and Merchant Center Next is different, and some features are only available in Merchant Center Next. If you're new to Merchant Center Next, make yourself comfortable by using the bidirectional switch to familiarize yourself with the new experience.

I have enabled a feature while in classic Merchant Center. Now, I no longer have bidirectional switch functionality.

I created a new Merchant Center Next account. Can I switch to the classic Merchant Center experience using this new account?

Yes. Switching back and forth from Merchant Center Next to classic Merchant Center experience includes newly created accounts.

Will bidirectional switch be available for merchants upgraded to Merchant Center Next earlier?

Yes. Switching to classic Merchant Center experience is available for accounts that have already been transitioned to Merchant Center Next in previously. However, if you’ve been using Merchant Center Next, we don’t recommend using the bidirectional switching capability since some Merchant Center Next features may not be available in classic Merchant Center. Classic Merchant Center will be eventually deprecated.

I am unable to go back and forth between classic Merchant Center and Next.

You don’t have an admin role for the current account.
The classic Merchant Center experience is no longer available for your account.
You’re using certain features only available in Merchant Center Next. For example, if you created products for physical stores, the bidirectional switching isn’t available.

I used the bidirectional switch but the account switched back to the version I originally switched from. Why?

Bidirectional switch is available to any user with admin access. It’s possible someone else with admin access used the bidirectional switch functionality. You can switch again to the experience you prefer.
Classic Merchant Center is deprecated and you are automatically transferred to Merchant Center Next.

Is the switching between classic Merchant Center and Merchant Center Next visible to any user able to access the account?

No, only admin users can see and use the bidirectional switch option.

Is a bidirectional switch between classic Merchant Center and Merchant Center Next also available for advanced account setups? For example, a marketplace, agency, comparison shopping service or any merchant that has multi-client accounts.

Yes.

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