Understanding Video Game Software Category 1279
The Video Game Software category, identified by the ID 1279, represents the specific Google Product Taxonomy designation for interactive entertainment titles. This category sits at the second level of the taxonomy, falling under the parent category of Software. For merchants managing Google Merchant Center feeds, correctly identifying products as Video Game Software is critical for ensuring that Google systems properly index and display your items to relevant users searching for interactive entertainment.
What Belongs in Video Game Software
This category is intended for software-based interactive entertainment products. Based on current US market listings, this includes a wide array of physical and digital gaming experiences. Examples include:
- Physical cartridges and discs for gaming consoles, such as open-world adventure titles, racing games, and platformers.
- Handheld gaming hardware that comes pre-loaded with classic arcade software or dedicated gaming titles.
- Collections and remasters of classic game franchises across various console generations.
- Modern blockbuster releases for current-generation home consoles.
- Retrospective gaming experiences that bundle multiple titles into a single package.
When categorizing your inventory, consider if the product is primarily software. If you are selling a console unit itself, that would fall into a different hardware category, but the actual games (on media or digital codes) belong here. The examples listed above demonstrate the range of titles from popular handheld arcade machines to major console game releases that fit perfectly within the 1279 identifier.
What Does Not Belong Here
It is important to distinguish this category from neighbouring classifications within the Software parent category. Items that do not belong in Video Game Software include:
- Computer Software: This is for productivity, utility, creative, or OS software designed for PCs and laptops, such as antivirus, office suites, or design software.
- Digital Goods & Currency: This category covers virtual items that are not specific video game software titles. Examples include digital gift cards, virtual currency for in-game microtransactions, subscription credits, or non-gaming digital files.
If you are selling a keyboard, a gaming mouse, or a headset, these are hardware products and should not be placed under the Software branch at all. Always double-check that your items are indeed software titles. If a product is a bundle that includes both a console and a game, it is usually better to classify it by its primary function (the hardware) rather than the software included.
How to Use This in Your Feed
To implement this category in your Google Merchant Center feed, you should use the google_product_category attribute. Google allows you to use either the numerical ID or the full path string. Both of the following are valid:
- ID: 1279
- Full Path: Software > Video Game Software
When populating your feed, remember that the google_product_category attribute is optional. If you omit it, Google will attempt to categorize the item automatically; however, manual categorization is highly recommended to avoid incorrect assignments that can lower your ad relevance. While product_type is available for your own internal organizational purposes, it does not replace the google_product_category requirement. Ensure that you choose the most specific category possible, as there are no further subcategories under 1279 in the current Google taxonomy tree. Maintaining accuracy here does not impact who sees your ads, but it directly influences the quality of the automated data processing that Google performs on your inventory.