A few weeks ago, I covered the product landing page requirements from Google and mentioned that a grayed-out button for out-of-stock products was required. Well, Google has updated those requirements, and it’s actually a positive change for merchants.
A community member on LinkedIn flagged this and asked whether the grayed-out button would remain a strict requirement. At the time, I said Google wouldn’t likely change it. Turns out, they did. So well spotted, and thank you for keeping the community on its toes!
Let’s break down exactly what has changed.
What Google Changed
The updated requirement now reads: “Ensure your landing page clearly displays product availability for online purchases.”
That sounds simple enough, but the details matter. Here’s what Google now outlines:
For out-of-stock products, you now have multiple options:
- Display clear text such as “Sold Out” or “Item Not Available”
- Show a disabled, grayed-out buy button
- If your page has multiple variants, disable specific options in the selection grid to indicate they are unavailable
Previously, the requirement was a single bullet point stating that out-of-stock products had to have a grayed-out button, full stop. Now, Google gives merchants the flexibility to choose what best fits their store.
Other requirements that remain in place:
- The page must feature a functional Buy or Add to Basket button if the product is available for purchase
- For pre-order or back-order items, the page must display the expected shipping date
- The landing page must clearly state any delivery restrictions, such as store pickup only
A Common Mistake I See on Merchant Websites
When I review merchant websites, most of them do a decent job of showing when a product is out of stock. That part is generally handled well.
However, many merchants are missing a requirement: showing when a product is in stock. This is equally important. Google expects you to communicate availability in both directions clearly:
- If a product is in stock → show “In Stock”
- If a product is out of stock → show “Out of Stock”
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many product pages simply don’t display this information at all. Make sure yours does.
What This Means for You
The removal of the grayed-out button as a hard requirement is a welcome change. Google seems to have recognized that enforcing a single rigid approach wasn’t realistic for all merchants and business types. You now have the flexibility to handle out-of-stock products in a way that makes sense for your store, as long as availability is clearly communicated to users.
Go through your product landing pages and check:
- Is availability clearly displayed for both in-stock and out-of-stock products?
- Is your Buy or Add to Basket button functional when a product is available?
- If you sell pre-order or back-order items, is the expected shipping date visible?
- Are any delivery restrictions clearly stated on the page?
If you can tick all of those off, you’re in good shape.