# Retail Cloud Connect™ on Shopify

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wl4ZyWB0k

Retail Cloud Connect connects Shopify stores directly to the Google Cloud [Retail API](https://cloud.google.com/retail/docs/apis) that powers AI Commerce Search and Recommendations AI.

!!!success
Retail Cloud Connect™ is available for any Shopify store to install and can be accessed via the Shopify App Store.<br/><br/> [!button corners="pill" variant="light" icon=":shopping_trolley:" text="Open in Shopify App Store" target="blank"](https://apps.shopify.com/retail-cloud-connect)
!!!

<br/>

## Common Setup Path

After the first Shopify catalog import starts, most merchants complete the rest of setup inside the Retail Cloud Connect Shopify App in this order:

1. [Getting Started](/shopify/getting-started/)
2. [Filters & Data](/shopify/filters-and-data/)
3. [Translations](/shopify/translations/)
4. [Product Card Builder](/shopify/product-card-builder/)
5. [Layout Settings](/shopify/theme-installation/layout-settings/)
6. [Theme Installation](/shopify/theme-installation/)
7. [Billing](/shopify/billing/)

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## Primary Benefits for Merchants

- Enable AI Commerce Search and Recommendations AI with one app
- Maintain full control of merchant data and merchandising settings in Google Cloud
- Simplify merchandising efforts by adding AI-powered sorting to collection or category pages
- Install functionality quickly on existing Shopify Online Store 2.0 themes using App Blocks
- Use Nimstrata's pre-built CSS classes to customize App Blocks for the storefront brand

<br/>

## App Navigation

| Page                                                            | Purpose {.compact}                                                                                       |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Filters & Data](/shopify/filters-and-data/)                    | Import Shopify product attributes, collections, tags, metafields, and filter data                        |
| [Translations](/shopify/translations/)                          | Edit App Block copy, product-card copy, and filter display labels for Shopify storefront languages       |
| [Product Card Builder](/shopify/product-card-builder/)          | Design the product card layout used by search, collection, and recommendation App Blocks                 |
| [Layout Settings](/shopify/theme-installation/layout-settings/) | Control filter position, quick filters, sort placement, counts, search-within-filters, and product links |
| [Theme Installation](/shopify/theme-installation/)              | Install and verify storefront components on the published theme                                          |
| [Advanced Settings](/shopify/advanced-settings/)                | Exclude products, expand variants, choose SEO descriptions, and manage category enrichment               |
| [Analytics](/shopify/analytics/)                                | Review product search and document search query reports                                                  |
| [Billing](/shopify/billing/)                                    | Select, change, or cancel the Shopify billing plan                                                       |

<br/>

## Dashboard

The Retail Cloud Connect Shopify App dashboard is the operational home page after onboarding. It currently includes:

- **Billing and Usage** for the active plan, catalog size, and recent Search & Collection and Recommendations usage
- **Sync Status** for current catalog import activity and recent sync health
- **Theme Status** for the Retail Cloud Connect App Embed, App Pixel, Search Results, Product Grid, and Recommendations App Blocks on the published theme
- **Resources** for documentation and support
- **Google Cloud** for advanced or enterprise stores only

!!!info Published Theme Status
The dashboard checks the status of the **published theme**. If merchants install or edit App Blocks on an unpublished theme, the dashboard may still show the component as incomplete until the published theme matches those changes.
!!!

During first setup the app may also show a dismissible setup checklist. Use it as a progress aid, but use the individual setup pages for the source of truth.

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## Managed and Advanced Stores

Most merchants use the default managed setup and do not need to actively manage Google Cloud after installation.

Advanced and enterprise merchants may also use the [Google Cloud](/shopify/advanced-settings/google-cloud/) page to:

- Confirm the connected Google Cloud project
- Review the Nimstrata-managed service account
- Configure document search system prompts
- Manage serving configurations and recommendation models directly in Google Cloud