How to fix "CSS not selected" for free listings in Google Merchant Center

If your products have disappeared from free listings after switching your Comparison Shopping Service (CSS) in Google Merchant Center, the “CSS not selected” message could be the culprit. Thankfully, it’s a common issue, and easy to fix with a few quick steps.

Why am I seeing “CSS not selected” in Merchant Center?

When using Google Merchant Center outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, only one CSS can represent your domain for both Google Ads and free product listings. If no CSS has been nominated for your account, your products might be disqualified from free listings and placements.

This issue often arises after:

• Switching to a third-party CSS from Google Shopping
• Not nominating a default CSS for free listings
• Creating multiple Merchant Center accounts for the same domain

Google will not automatically assign CSS eligibility unless one is manually selected.

Step-by-step: How to resolve the CSS not selected issue

To get your free listings back on track:

1. Use a Merchant Center account with Google Shopping as the CSS - confirm that the CSS field shows “Google Shopping (google.com/shopping)”. The account needs to be verified and claimed.
2. Navigate to the Comparison Shopping Services page - go to Settings, Shopping ads setup, then Comparison Shopping Services.
3. Select your preferred CSS for free listings and placements - in the table, nominate the account you want to be eligible for:
   • Free product listings
   • Placements outside of Europe

Once submitted, changes typically take 24 to 48 hours to reflect across your account.

Can I use a different CSS for ads?

Yes, and many retailers do. You can maintain your Google Shopping-linked account to qualify for free listings while handling product ads through your preferred CSS partner. As long as the account is verified and claimed, you’re good to go.