Question 1

What exactly is CSS?

Accepted Answer

CSS stands for Comparison Shopping Service. The category emerged from an EU antitrust case against Google. With a certified CSS partner such as Smarketer, Google's margin of around 20% no longer applies, so your full bid enters the auction instead of a bid reduced by 20%. The result: better positions or more clicks for the same budget.

Question 2

What should I know when switching?

Accepted Answer

You sign up, we request the CSS switch for your Merchant Center, and you confirm it once with a click. Your campaigns, bids, products, and budget remain completely untouched. There is no downtime and nothing to rebuild. If you ever want to switch back, you can change CSS provider again at any time.

Question 3

Where can I see the 20% in my Google Ads account?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common question after switching, and it is important to understand: the 20% is not a credit and does not appear as an amount in your account. It is a bidding advantage in the auction. A €0.80 bid through our CSS has the same strength as a €1.00 bid through Google's own CSS. You notice it in better ad positions or more clicks at the same budget.

Question 4

Will anything change in my ads or visibility?

Accepted Answer

For shoppers, only one line in the ad's fine print changes: instead of “By Google,” it says “By Smarketer.” The ad, product image, and price remain identical. The bidding advantage generally improves your visibility rather than reducing it.

Question 5

What does “agentic commerce” or AI shopping mean?

Accepted Answer

AI assistants such as Google AI Mode and Gemini are increasingly handling product research: the customer asks a question and the AI recommends suitable products. To do that, it needs context-rich data such as highlights, answered questions, and use cases. Our Feed Audit checks exactly this information, and AI optimization fills the gaps.

Question 6

Is this relevant already, or is it still in the future?

Accepted Answer

Both. The major shift is only just beginning, which is precisely why now is the right time. Feeds that are well prepared early gain visibility before competitors catch up. And the foundation AI assistants need—clean titles, attributes, and descriptions—already improves your Google Shopping performance today.

Question 7

What does the Feed Audit cost—and what does “100 items free” mean?

Accepted Answer

The Feed Audit itself is free. You can use AI to optimize up to 100 items once and export a ready-to-use file for Merchant Center at no cost. If you have more items or want the CSS advantage, you can switch to the All-in-One plan.

Question 8

Do I need a payment method for the trial?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 9

What is included in the €39 per month?

Accepted Answer

Everything: the full CSS advantage, all WaveMetrics features, and AI optimization in one plan. Each additional Merchant Center or account costs €19 per month. You can purchase additional credits flexibly whenever you need them.

Question 10

Can I cancel monthly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The plan can be canceled monthly, with no minimum term and no notice period. You retain full control of your Google Ads and Merchant Center accounts at all times.

Google CSS
& AI Feed Optimization

CSS Spotlight Award 2025 – Winner “Business Growth”

CSS cuts your costs.
The Feed Audit grows your reach and makes you more profitable.

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From audit to a better feed – in four steps

Select items

Select products

Understand the score – before

Agentic visibility

Why it matters

What we check

Related attributes

Optimize with AI & export

See the result – after

Score breakdown

Attribute coverage

Protect your budget. Stay visible.

Smarketer CSS

WaveMetrics Feed Audit + AI optimization

What a better feed really delivers

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Feed Audit – Free

All-in-One

Frequently asked questions

Google CSS & the 20% advantage

Agentic commerce & AI shopping

WaveMetrics, pricing & trial