Understanding the Milk Category
The Milk category (ID 418) is part of the Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages hierarchy. It is a specific classification designed for standard dairy-based liquid products intended for consumption.
Included Products
This category is intended for traditional cow dairy liquids. Based on examples from the US market, this includes items such as:
- Raw milk
- Whole, 1%, and 2% milk
- Vitamin D fortified milk
- Organic and grass-fed dairy milk
- A2/A2 liquid dairy products
- Creamline or farm-fresh whole milk
Exclusions and Neighboring Categories
Do not use this category for beverages that do not meet the definition of dairy milk. If your product falls into these categories, use the appropriate taxonomy instead:
- Non-Dairy Milk: Use for almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk alternatives.
- Buttermilk: Use specifically for cultured buttermilk products.
- Eggnog: Use for seasonal dairy beverages containing egg.
- Coffee or Tea & Infusions: Use for brewed beverages or liquid shots.
- Hot Chocolate: Use for cocoa-based drinks.
Feed Implementation
In your feed, you may use either the numeric ID 418 or the full path: Food, Beverages & Tobacco > Beverages > Milk. While this attribute is optional, providing it prevents Google from incorrectly auto-categorizing your items. Remember that product_type remains a separate, custom attribute for your internal classification. Always prioritize accuracy to ensure Google correctly identifies your product data attributes and applies the relevant retail policies for dairy goods.