Backorder
A backorder is an order taken for a product that is out of stock for now, to be dispatched when new stock arrives.
What it means
A backorder keeps a sale open while the shelf is empty. The product exists and has been on sale, the stock has run out, and you are still taking orders. Google’s backorder value means “The product isn’t available at the moment, but you’re accepting orders and it will be dispatched when it’s available again.”1
Like a pre-order, it needs an availability date: the day the item will be dispatched, in the feed and visible on the landing page.1 If you cannot be exact, give an estimate rather than a date range.2
Supplier wording such as “Awaiting stock”, “Due in” or “3 to 4 weeks” points to backorder, but only if you take orders while you wait. If you are not taking orders, Google’s value is out_of_stock.1
Think of it like this
It is like reserving a library book that is out on loan. The book exists, your name is in the queue, and it comes to you when it is returned.
For example
A supplier marks a kettle “Awaiting stock, due w/c 9 November”, and you keep taking orders. The feed says backorder, with 12 November, the day you expect to dispatch, as its availability date. The product page shows the same date.
Why it matters
A backorder with no date leaves the shopper guessing. Google requires the date for every backorder, on the page as well as in the feed. If availability differs between the two, the product can be disapproved.1
Not to be confused with
A backorder is not a pre-order. Google keeps preorder for new products not yet released. In its words, “Existing products that are out of stock and will be back in stock at a later date that you’re accepting orders for should use backorder”.1
Sources
- Google Merchant Center Help. Availability [availability].
- Google Merchant Center Help. Availability date [availability_date].