The AI shopping product data checklist for WooCommerce
Short answer: AI assistants recommend products with complete, consistent data: a 20–150 character title, a brand, a GTIN where one exists, a description of 300+ characters, a main photo plus extras, a price, stock status, a specific category and real variations. Fix the missing fields first, starting with brand, GTIN and photos.
The checklist
This is the same checklist CitedShelf uses to score every product from 0 to 100. The points show how much each field counts.
| Field | Points | What good looks like | How to fix it in WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | 10 | 20–150 characters: brand + product type + key detail. | Edit the product name. Avoid all caps and keyword stuffing. |
| Description | 15 | 300+ characters on what it is, material, size, use and who it is for. | Fill the long description; keep the short description as a one-line summary. |
| Main image | 15 | A clear JPEG or PNG on a plain background. | Set the Product image. |
| Extra images | 5 | 2–4 more: angles, in use, close-up. | Add to the Product gallery. |
| Price | 10 | A real price in the store currency. | Set the regular price (and sale price if any). |
| In stock | 5 | Accurate stock status. | Manage stock or set the stock status. |
| Brand | 15 | The real brand, or your own label for your own goods. | Use WooCommerce Brands (9.6+) or a brand attribute. |
| GTIN / EAN / UPC | 15 | The barcode from the packaging; a SKU earns half. | Enter it in the GTIN, UPC, EAN or ISBN field (Inventory tab). |
| Category | 5 | A specific category, not "Uncategorized". | Assign a precise product category. |
| Variations | 5 | Sizes and colours as real variations, not text. | Use a variable product with attributes used for variations. |
Store-level checks
Assistants also judge the shop. Make sure you have:
- HTTPS on every page.
- A returns or refund policy page and a privacy policy page.
- A store address in WooCommerce settings.
- Shipping zones that match where you sell.
- Search engine visibility switched on (Settings → Reading).
What to fix first
Start with the fields worth the most points that are missing across the most products. For most stores that is brand, then GTIN, then photos, then descriptions. Fixing one field across fifty products moves your store score far more than perfecting one product.
Rules that protect you
- Never invent a GTIN or MPN. Leave it empty if the product has none.
- Do not copy manufacturer descriptions word for word across many stores; add your own facts.
- Keep price and stock accurate. Wrong data loses trust faster than missing data.
Check one product now with the free checker, or scan your whole catalog with the free CitedShelf plugin.
Frequently asked questions
Is GTIN required for ChatGPT shopping?
OpenAI's product feed specification lists GTIN as recommended, not required. Products with a valid GTIN are easier to match across sources, so add it whenever the product has a barcode.
What if I make my own products and have no brand?
Use your shop or label name as the brand. It is accurate, and it lets assistants connect your products to your store.
How long should a product description be?
Aim for at least 300 characters that state facts: what it is, material, size or capacity, how it is used and who it is for.
Check your whole catalog in minutes
CitedShelf is a free WooCommerce plugin that scores every product, tracks your share of AI answers in ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity, and fixes weak product data with one click.