Feed Validator

The NotPIM Validator is a tool that helps online stores, suppliers, and manufacturers check their product feeds against the requirements of various systems and platforms. The main goal of the service is to determine the format of the file and show how suitable it is for specific platforms. This means that businesses gain not just the ability to open a file and view its contents, but a comprehensive analysis that allows them to understand in advance where the data can be used without issues and where limitations might arise.

In modern e-commerce, the correct format of a product feed plays a key role. Successful product uploads to CMS or advertising systems depend on how well it meets the requirements. If a file formally opens, it does not yet mean it is suitable for further work. The Validator checks the data structure and identifies how well it conforms to the standards adopted by major market players. Thus, you gain clarity even before you start uploading the file to the system, avoiding situations where the product catalog fails validation.

One of the main features of the Validator is its automatic detection of the input file format. This can be CSV, XML, YML, XLS, JSON, or another common variant. The tool can read the data structure and classify it, which is especially useful when the supplier has not specified the format or has sent the file as an archive. The system recognizes what it is dealing with and prepares the result for further verification.

The next step is analyzing compatibility with specific platforms and CMSs. The user can select the system against which they want to check their feed, whether it's Google Merchant Center, Facebook, Tilda, Shopify, or one of dozens of others. The Validator compares the structure and content of the file with the requirements of the selected platform and generates a compliance report. This approach allows businesses to understand in advance whether they can upload the data without problems or if discrepancies will arise during the process.

It is important to emphasize that the Validator does not modify or correct the file. It only checks for compliance. This gives the user an objective picture and the ability to decide on further steps. Other NotPIM tools are available for error correction; the Validator is specifically for transparent verification. This approach separates tasks and makes the ecosystem convenient: one tool handles analysis, another handles data transformation.

The value of the Validator for business lies in saving time and resources. Instead of manually checking every line or attempting to upload the file to different systems, the user receives a report within minutes. This is especially important when dealing with large catalogs, where even a single structural error can lead to the system refusing to accept the file. Preliminary checking eliminates wasted time and reduces the risk of operational failures.

The Validator also helps in situations where a company works with multiple suppliers. Each may provide data in its own format, and the online store's task is to understand how compatible these feeds are with its system. The tool quickly shows which files can be used immediately and which require refinement. This enables prompt decision-making and launching new products without delays.

Another important application of the Validator is quality control of incoming data. Suppliers often send feeds that are missing mandatory fields or have a structure that does not conform to the standard. However, the file itself formally opens and appears functional. Yet, uploading such files to a CMS or advertising system leads to blocking or rejection. The Validator immediately identifies such discrepancies and shows which fields or sections are causing problems.

The report generated by the tool displays several key points. First, it indicates the format of the uploaded file. Second, it shows which systems and platforms it is suitable for in its current state. Third, if the user has selected a specific format for checking, the Validator shows detailed errors and inconsistencies. Such a report helps to understand exactly what prevents correct uploading and what needs attention.

Using the Validator is particularly relevant for companies working with advertising systems. For example, Google Merchant Center and Facebook Ads have strict requirements for data structure. Even if the file contains all the necessary information, the slightest deviation from the format will lead to upload rejection. Preliminary checking via the Validator helps avoid campaign blocks and ensures the stable operation of advertising tools.

Online stores using CMSs like Shopify, Tilda, or other popular systems also benefit from using the Validator. The tool shows whether the file is suitable for uploading to that specific system and warns about potential inconsistencies. As a result, the business gains confidence that the data will be correctly uploaded and the catalog will be displayed on the site without errors.

For suppliers and manufacturers, the Validator is useful as a quality control tool before sending data to partners. If a supplier wants to be sure that their catalog will be accepted without delays, they can run the file through the Validator and confirm that it meets the standards of the selected platform. This increases partner trust and reduces the number of queries and data returns.

Content managers and data specialists also actively use the Validator in their work. Their task is to check the correctness of feeds and ensure that all products are ready for publication. Manual checking of such files takes hours or even days, especially when dealing with thousands of SKUs. The Validator performs this work in minutes and provides a report that is easy to use for further analysis.

The tool is simple to use and requires no technical preparation. The user uploads a file or provides a link, selects a format for checking if necessary, and the system automatically performs the analysis. The result is presented in a convenient format: a list of platforms compatible with the feed and a description of problem areas. This approach makes the Validator accessible even to those without experience in technical documentation.

Special attention should be paid to the Validator's role in the NotPIM ecosystem. It can be used as a standalone service, but it also integrates with other platform tools. This allows for building a complete automated process: from feed verification to its subsequent processing and delivery. As a result, the business gets an end-to-end solution for working with product content, where each task is solved by a dedicated tool.

In an environment of growing data volumes and numerous suppliers, having such a tool becomes a competitive advantage. Companies that check their feeds in advance operate more stably and bring products to market faster. Errors are identified before they can affect sales or advertising campaigns. This means the business saves money and time, and customers receive up-to-date catalogs without delays.

The NotPIM Validator is not just a format checking service. It is a tool that provides transparency and confidence in data correctness. It shows which requirements the file meets, which systems it is ready for right now, and where discrepancies exist. This approach allows online stores, suppliers, and manufacturers to make decisions faster and operate more reliably.

All of this makes the Validator an important part of the e-commerce infrastructure. It helps businesses avoid wasting resources on futile attempts to upload incorrect files and immediately see where the data meets the requirements. It is a tool that works to prevent errors rather than correct them, which is why it occupies a unique place in the NotPIM ecosystem.