Feed element#

The Feed element layer is a dynamic text layer in a Feed Image Editor graphic template. Unlike the static Text layer, it shows a value read directly from a feed element, so the layer’s content changes automatically for each product according to the current data in the XML. This means your ads always display up-to-date information without having to manually edit the template.

How it works#

When generating an image, the extension reads the value of the chosen feed element for the given product and renders it on the canvas in the configured graphic style. If the value in the feed changes (for example, the price or availability is updated), the image is automatically updated the next time it’s regenerated.

Setting it up in the extension#

1. In the graphic template, add a new layer and choose the Feed element type.

2. Select the feed element whose value you want to display – all elements contained in your feed are available (e.g. g:price).

3. Optionally, use the Edit element content button to add static text before or after the dynamic value – for example Price: {PRICE_VAT} USD or Discount {SALE}%. Or use the Text with elements layer directly.

4. Set the typography, color, size, position, and any effects (border, shadow, reflection).

5. Name the template, save it, and check the result on the Previews page.

Typical use cases#

Product price – automatically pulls in the current price from the feed. The customer always sees the correct price without manual template edits.

Discount amount – displaying a percentage or absolute discount directly in the image, for example –20% or Save $20.

Availability – stock availability information directly in the advertising image.

Holiday or day of the week – combined with the Bidding Fox Elements extension, you can display dynamic contextual information, such as the name of tomorrow’s holiday. Bidding Fox Elements provides a set of elements with current data such as day of the week, season, holidays, and more.

Important note on text length#

Element values have variable length – a price of $99 takes up less space than $1,299. When designing a template, you need to account for the text being shorter or longer than in the preview. Set a sufficient width for the text field and enable text wrapping if there’s a risk of overflow.

FAQ#

What’s the difference between the Feed element layer and the Text layer?#

The Text layer is primarily meant for static content that’s the same for all products – but you can also insert dynamic values into it using the {element_name} syntax. The Feed element layer is designed specifically for dynamic values and offers a selection of elements from a clear list of the feed elements available. It’s therefore clearer for purely dynamic content, while for a combination of static and dynamic text, either can be used.

What happens if an element has no value for a given product?#

The layer renders for such a product with an empty field, or with just the static part of the text, if present.

Can Feed element also be used to display values calculated in Mergado, such as a discount amount from a rule?#

Yes. If the calculated value is stored in a feed element in Mergado, it’s available in Feed Image Editor like any other element. The discount calculation or other derived value is performed in Mergado’s rules, and the result is passed into the image through the Feed element layer.

How do I verify that the dynamic value displays correctly in the image?#

On the Previews page, you can display generated images for specific products from a query and check that the values are showing up correctly. The preview shows the final appearance of the image, including the chosen font and dynamic values.