Should I use the numeric ID or the full category path?

You can use either. The numeric ID (16) is preferred because it is language-independent and less prone to formatting errors.

Does this category impact my advertising costs or targeting?

No, the category assignment does not limit who sees your ads. Its primary purpose is to help Google understand your products so it can match them with relevant search queries.

Is it mandatory to fill out the google_product_category attribute?

It is optional. However, if you omit it, Google will assign a category automatically, which may be inaccurate and result in poor ad performance.

Google product category

Arts & Crafts

Category ID16

Full path for the feedArts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts

All deeper subcategories

Art & Craft Kits· 9505370
- Candle Making Kits505374
- Drawing & Painting Kits4778
- Fabric Repair Kits6382
- Incense Making Kits6989
- Jewelry Making Kits502979
- Mosaic Kits6829
- Needlecraft Kits7096
- Scrapbooking & Stamping Kits503758
- Toy Craft Kits4986
Art & Crafting Materials· 82505372
- Art & Craft Paper· 924
  - Cardstock & Scrapbooking Paper· 2505399
    Cardstock543510
    Scrapbooking Paper543511
  - Construction Paper2532
  - Craft Foil8168
  - Drawing & Painting Paper505400
  - Origami Paper2967
  - Transfer Paper6110
  - Vellum Paper2741
- Craft Fasteners & Closures· 6505380
  - Buttons & Snaps4226
  - Clasps & Hooks505408
  - Eyelets & Grommets505409
  - Hook and Loop Fasteners6145
  - Zipper Pulls500056
  - Zippers4174
- Craft Paint, Ink & Glaze· 7505378
  - Art & Craft Paint505417
  - Art Fixatives500094
  - Art Ink505416
  - Ceramic & Pottery Glazes499879
  - Craft Dyes505415
  - Ink Pads505414
  - Paint Mediums6558
- Craft Shapes & Bases· 4505381
  - Craft Foam & Styrofoam6117
  - Craft Wood & Shapes505404
  - Papier Mache Shapes505403
  - Wreath & Floral Frames504419
- Crafting Adhesives & Magnets· 5505376
  - Craft & Office Glue503745
  - Craft Magnets36
  - Decorative Tape505419
  - Floral Tape7192
  - Fusible Tape6418
- Crafting Fibers· 4505382
  - Jewelry & Beading Cord6540
  - Thread & Floss49
  - Unspun Fiber6140
  - Yarn2669
- Crafting Wire· 3505377
  - Craft Pipe Cleaners5062
  - Floral Wire505418
  - Jewelry & Beading Wire6102
- Embellishments & Trims· 12505379
  - Appliques & Patches6955
  - Beads32
  - Bows & Yo-Yos505413
  - Decorative Stickers4054
  - Elastic6146
  - Feathers505411
  - Jewelry Findings5996
  - Loose Stones198
  - Rhinestones & Flatbacks5982
  - Ribbons & Trim505412
  - Sequins & Glitter505410
  - Sew-in Labels1927
- Embossing Powder6121
- Filling & Padding Material· 36142
  - Batting & Stuffing505407
  - Filling Pellets505406
  - Pillow Forms505405
- Leather & Vinyl505383
- Pottery & Sculpting Materials· 644
  - Clay & Modeling Dough· 23692
    Clay543628
    Modeling Dough543629
  - Papier Mache Mixes505401
  - Plaster Gauze505804
  - Pottery Slips505402
- Raw Candle Wax505375
- Textiles· 7505384
  - Crafting Canvas· 3505397
    Needlecraft Canvas505398
    Painting Canvas19
    Plastic Canvas6144
  - Fabric47
  - Interfacing7076
  - Printable Fabric505396
- Wick Tabs7403
- Wicks7402
Art & Crafting Tool Accessories· 7504643
- Craft Knife Blades232168
- Craft Machine Cases & Covers4580
- Sewing Machine Extension Tables505286
- Sewing Machine Feet5120
- Sewing Machine Replacement Parts503348
- Spinning Wheel Accessories6136
- Stamp Blocks499918
Art & Crafting Tools· 58504639
- Blocking Mats6152
- Blocking Wires6151
- Color Mixing Tools· 2505391
  - Palette Knives1653
  - Palettes1719
- Craft Cutting & Embossing Tools· 8504640
  - Craft & Office Scissors504641
  - Craft Cutters & Embossers504642
  - Craft Knives5136
  - Craft Scoring Tools6119
  - Embossing Heat Tools7340
  - Embossing Pens & Styluses6122
  - Seam Rippers6161
  - Thread & Yarn Cutters6447
- Craft Decoration Makers505386
- Craft Measuring & Marking Tools· 10505392
  - Art Brushes18
  - Brayer Rollers6126
  - Decorative Stamps4032
  - Drafting Compasses3083
  - Screen Printing Squeegees6125
  - Stencil Machines5883
  - Stencils & Die Cuts2671
  - Stitch Markers & Counters6160
  - Textile Art Gauges & Rulers6157
  - Wood Burning Tools505420
- Cutting Mats5137
- Dress Forms6150
- Felting Pads & Mats6133
- Frames, Hoops & Stretchers6158
- Glue Guns4073
- Light Boxes5921
- Needles & Hooks· 5505393
  - Crochet Hooks6127
  - Hand-Sewing Needles5992
  - Knitting Needles6139
  - Latch & Locker Hooks6168
  - Sewing Machine Needles4579
- Safety Pins6101
- Straight Pins6159
- Textile Craft Machines· 5505388
  - Felting Needles & Machines6134
  - Hand Looms505422
  - Mechanical Looms505421
  - Sewing Machines615
  - Spinning Wheels6137
- Thimbles & Sewing Palms· 26156
  - Sewing Palms543639
  - Thimbles543638
- Thread & Yarn Tools· 8505387
  - Fiber Cards & Brushes6164
  - Hand Spindles6138
  - Needle Threaders6163
  - Thread & Yarn Guides6155
  - Thread & Yarn Spools6154
  - Thread, Yarn & Bobbin Winders6153
  - Weaving Beaters6167
  - Weaving Shuttles6166
Craft Organization· 3505369
- Needle, Pin & Hook Organizers505394
- Sewing Baskets & Kits499971
- Thread & Yarn Organizers505395
Crafting Patterns & Molds· 5505371
- Beading Patterns6999
- Craft Molds8007
- Felting Molds6135
- Needlecraft Patterns505373
- Sewing Patterns3697

Product examples in this category (US market)

Real products found in Google Shopping, shown as examples.

Friendly Loom PRO Size Loops
Harrisville Designs Friendly Loom Potholder
Jumbo How To Pray the Rosary Craft Kit
Colorations Slime Activator
Salvation Bead Bracelet Kits
Collage Letters
Baroque Art Gilders Paste
Cousin Shank Back Animal Eyes
FolkArt Metallic Paint
FolkArt Acrylic Paint

Understanding the Arts & Crafts Category

The Arts & Crafts category, identified by ID 16, serves as a designated home for products used in creative projects, hobbyist activities, and artistic creation. It sits within the Hobbies & Creative Arts branch of the Google product taxonomy and is designed for items that facilitate hands-on making.

What Belongs in This Category

This category includes supplies and tools required to complete artistic projects. Examples from the US market include various types of crafting kits, such as bead bracelet sets or religious craft kits, alongside foundational materials like acrylic and metallic paints. You should also classify specialized tools like animal eyes for plush toys, gilders paste, slime activators, and looms for potholder projects here.

What Belongs Elsewhere

If your items do not fit the definition of general arts and crafts, they likely belong in a neighboring category. Products related to musical creation go under Musical Instruments or Musical Instrument & Orchestra Accessories. Items for creating alcoholic beverages belong in Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies. If you sell intricate display pieces or hobby figures, use Model Making. Collectibles and magic-themed items should be filed under Collectibles or Magic & Novelties, respectively.

Using Subcategories

Always select the most specific subcategory available, such as Art & Crafting Tools or Art & Crafting Materials, rather than the top-level Arts & Crafts category to ensure better relevance.

Implementation in Your Feed

For your feed, you may use the ID 16 or the full path: Arts & Entertainment > Hobbies & Creative Arts > Arts & Crafts. Remember that this attribute is optional, but providing it manually prevents Google from miscategorizing your items. The product_type attribute remains separate for your internal organization.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use the numeric ID or the full category path?: You can use either. The numeric ID (16) is preferred because it is language-independent and less prone to formatting errors.
Does this category impact my advertising costs or targeting?: No, the category assignment does not limit who sees your ads. Its primary purpose is to help Google understand your products so it can match them with relevant search queries.
Is it mandatory to fill out the google_product_category attribute?: It is optional. However, if you omit it, Google will assign a category automatically, which may be inaccurate and result in poor ad performance.

This category in other languages

ru: Искусство и развлечения > Хобби и творчество > Рукоделие и хобби
uk: Мистецтво та розваги > Хобі та творчість > Рукоділля та хобі