Missing value [availability]

What this error means

The availability attribute tells Google whether a product can be bought right now. It is required, so when it is missing Google cannot list the product and disapproves it.

Why it happens

The value is usually missing because the store field that holds stock status is not mapped to the feed, or because a product was created without a clear stock state. Google accepts a fixed set of values for this attribute. A blank value reads as missing, while an unrecognised word is more likely flagged as an invalid or unsupported value, which is a closely related problem with the same fix.

How to fix it

1. Set the availability attribute for every product to one of Google's accepted values: in_stock, out_of_stock, preorder, or backorder.
2. Map your store's stock status to the matching value so it fills automatically.
3. If you use preorder or backorder, also provide an availability_date so Google knows when the product will be available.
4. Keep the value in sync with real stock, since a wrong value leads to a separate availability mismatch problem.
5. Update the feed and wait for re-crawl.

Fixing it in your store

Stock status lives in your store's inventory system. This error means that status is not reaching the feed for these products. Map your in-stock and out-of-stock states to Google's accepted values in your feed tool, decide how products with no tracked stock should be treated, and refresh the feed. Mapping it once at the source fills the attribute for all affected products.

How long until it clears

Once availability is present in the feed and re-crawled, expect the product to qualify within 1 to 3 days.