Google Base Help

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a common way for users to download or upload files to the Internet. This is an advanced method for submitting data feeds to Google Base and must be used for files over 20 MB in size. If your file is smaller than 20 MB, we suggest submitting your file directly via Google Base.

Note: Your file must be under one gigabyte (GB) in size, in either the compressed or uncompressed format. If your file is larger than what our restrictions allow, please split your file into multiple, smaller files before uploading.

Before you can upload to Google Base using FTP, you'll need to create an FTP username and password in your Google Base account. Click here for instructions. Note that you will need to wait to upload your file as it can take several hours for your FTP account to become active once it is created.

There are three methods available for submitting your file via FTP. If you have not used FTP before, we recommend the first option as it's easier to configure.

• Option 1: FTP your data feed using a web browser
• Option 2: FTP your data feed using an FTP program
• Option 3: FTP your data feed using a DOS prompt

If you experience difficulties uploading, please refer to our list of common problems.

• Common problems submitting a feed via FTP

Recent versions of web browsers allow you to upload files by FTP relatively easily. You may need to upgrade your browser in order to use it to FTP your feed. Please note that if you're using version 7.0 of Internet Explorer, uploading via FTP will not follow the steps below.

Here are links to the latest versions of popular web browsers:

• Mozilla Firefox
• Internet Explorer

To upload via FTP within your browser:

1. Open a browser window.
2. Type ftp://uploads.google.com into the address bar and click Enter.
3. You will be prompted to enter your FTP username and password (which you set in the "Create an FTP account for advanced uploading" section of Google Base). Enter this information and select Log On.
   
   
   
   
4. You will probably see a blank window. However, you will be connected to the FTP server. Now simply drag and drop your feed into the browser window, and wait for the file to transfer. Once you have sent your file, the icon for the file will appear in the Internet Explorer window. The file is now uploaded.
   

To use this method, you will need to have an FTP program, also known as an FTP client, installed on your computer. If you do not already have an FTP client, you can download one from the web. The following FTP clients are free to try. (Depending on your usage, you may have to pay for these programs after your trial runs out.) Click on one of these links to download the program from the web.

• FileZilla (Windows)
• Fetch (Mac)
• Click here to find alternate FTP clients on the web.

After you have downloaded and installed your FTP program, you will need to configure it so that you can connect to our FTP server. Your FTP client will need the following settings:

• Host name: uploads.google.com This is our FTP server where you will send your feed.
• User: the username you set up in your Google Base account
• Password: the password you set up in your Google Base account
• Logontype: should be set to normal, not anonymous. You may have to change this setting before you will be able to enter your username and password.

If you're using FileZilla, the configuration settings in the FTP program should look similar to this:

Note: Other FTP clients will have different interfaces. Refer to your to your FTP client's documentation for instructions.

If you have a computer running Windows you can send your feed using a DOS command prompt without having to download an FTP client. Here is how:

1. From the Start menu, select Programs, then select MS-DOS Prompt, or from the Start menu, select Programs, then select Accessories, then select Command Prompt (If neither of these works: From the Start menu, select Search, then select For Files or Folders, then type in the word prompt. Double-click the file named "Command Prompt.")
2. When the black prompt screen appears, use "cd" to get to the directory your file is saved in. You may want to save your file in a directory that is easy to reach, such as c:\.
3. Type in ftp uploads.google.com
4. When the FTP connection is made, the prompt will ask for your username. You can check your username using the "Create an FTP account for advanced uploading" link in Google Base.
5. After you have entered your username, you will be prompted for your password. If you do not have your password, you can set a new one by logging into Google Base and following the "Create an FTP account for advanced uploading" link at the bottom of the page. You will not see any characters appear on the screen when you type your password at the FTP prompt.
6. When your password is validated, you can upload your file. Type put <filename>. This command will send the file from your computer to our FTP server. You can also use a series of basic commands to manage files in this mode. If you get a "File not found" error message, you will need to type in commands to locate the correct directory and folder. Click here to learn more about the DOS prompt commands.
7. After your file has been sent and you get the "Transfer complete" acknowledgement, you are done. Type quit and then you can close the prompt window.

Note: If you make a mistake along the way, you may get a blank prompt. If so, start over with the first step and continue until you are able to complete the transfer of your file.

If you have successfully sent your file, your window should look similar to this:

Your activity on our FTP server will be limited so you won't be able to perform functions beyond uploading the file. You'll only be able to see your file on our FTP server immediately after uploading. Once our system begins to process the file it will no longer appear. If your FTP program displays a "Transfer complete," "Upload successful," or similar message, we've received your feed.