Catalog

An accurate catalog is the foundation of a successful full-service fulfillment workflow. Instacart Connect uses your catalog to build the list of items in each customer order sent to shoppers. If a shopper can't find an item, they can suggest replacement items from your catalog.

Use the following resources to learn more about maintaining your catalog:

• Catalog integration. If you sell through Instacart Marketplace, Connect accesses the same catalog. To set up and manage your catalog, use the following methods:
  • Upload your data through SFTP.
  • Follow the guidance in Prepare to launch to ensure that your Connect-enabled site is ready to go live.
  • View and manage your catalog data using Instacart Platform Portal.
• Restricted products. Your catalog can contain age- and quantity-restricted products, such as alcohol and over-the-counter medication. For carts with age-restricted items, your site must collect the customer's date of birth. If the date of birth is missing or the customer is underage, Connect returns an error or removes the item based on your configuration. For specifications, see Restricted product requirements.
• Prohibited products. Instacart won't fulfill certain product types. If your catalog contains prohibited products, orders that include them return Item not found errors. For a non-exhaustive list of items that won't be fulfilled, see Prohibited products.
• Catalog synchronization. You decide how often to update your catalog and whether to send the entire catalog each time. For recommended upload frequency and other best practices, see the Catalog inventory file FAQ.