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Create a Facebook (Meta) Catalogue from Pixel Plus Events

Step 1 – Review the Microdata Configuration​

Open your Back Office and go to Modules → Pixel Plus → Microdata tab.

Your theme may already generate some Open Graph (OG) tags. Pixel Plus can detect the missing fields required for correct microdata and automatically fill those missing values.

However, the module cannot modify incorrect values generated by the theme. If your theme outputs wrong information (for example, the wrong price or URL), the simplest fix is to:

  1. Comment out the incorrect microdata generation in your theme.
  2. Use the Missing Microdata Detection Tool in the module.
  3. Let Pixel Plus generate the missing tags instead.

Typical microdata fields include:

  • og:title
  • og:image
  • og:url
  • product:price:amount
  • product:price:currency
  • product:availability

These fields are essential for Meta to correctly interpret your products.

Step 2 – Validate the Microdata​

In the same tab, use the Microdata Test Tool to verify that everything is working properly.

Pixel Plus automatically generates a link to a random product page that opens directly in Meta’s official Microdata Debug Tool, making testing easier and faster.

Understanding the results​

  • Grey boxes → Correct data (everything is fine).
  • Yellow boxes → Data that can be improved or missing optional fields. The pixel will still be validated, but completing these suggestions improves catalogue quality.
  • Red boxes → Errors that must be corrected before continuing.

It’s also important to review the values generated, especially titles, descriptions, and prices. Prices can be displayed either with or without VAT, but not both simultaneously.

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If you notice missing VAT values, check this PrestaShop setting: Internationalization → Localization → Set default country from browser language

Sometimes, when this option is active, PrestaShop automatically assigns the visitor’s country based on their IP instead of the browser language. For example, a visit from the United States might exclude VAT, which can affect the prices that Meta receives.

If that happens, disabling this setting usually restores the correct VAT display.

After making any change, clear both your shop cache and browser cache, then run the test again until no red boxes remain.

Step 3 – Wait for the Pixel to Appear as “Ready”​

Once your microdata is valid and events are sent correctly, Meta will automatically detect your pixel as a valid data source.

To check this, go to your Meta Commerce Manager and follow these steps:

  1. Open Catalogues.
  2. Select or create your catalogue.
  3. Click Add Items → Use a Pixel.
  4. Choose your Pixel (it will appear as “Ready” once validated).
  5. Confirm and finish the connection.

According to Meta’s documentation, the validation process can take between 24 and 48 hours, especially for new pixels or new domains.

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If the Pixel doesn’t appear yet, simply wait a bit longer — Meta first validates the data it receives before listing the Pixel as available.

Step 4 – Understand How Meta Fetches Product Data​

When a product page is visited, the ViewContent event is sent to Meta with all structured product data. Meta then automatically visits the same page to retrieve the microdata and compare it with the information sent through the event.

To ensure smooth processing:

  • Do not block Facebook IPs on your server or firewall.

  • Meta’s validation crawlers typically come from U.S. IP addresses. You can safely whitelist known Meta crawler ranges, such as:

    • 31.13.64.0/18
    • 66.220.144.0/20
    • 69.63.176.0/20
    • 69.171.224.0/19
    • 74.119.76.0/22
    • 173.252.64.0/19
    • 204.15.20.0/22
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This step is entirely automatic and requires no manual action — Meta handles it once your microdata and events are aligned.

Step 5 – Help the Catalogue Populate Faster​

Once everything is correctly configured, Meta begins processing product data and gradually fills the catalogue. Products typically appear within 15–30 minutes, but for new catalogues, the initial population may take longer.

If you want to accelerate the process, you can “auto-visit” your products manually:

  1. Open a category page in your shop.
  2. Hold Ctrl + Click (or Cmd + Click on Mac) to open several products in new tabs.
  3. This triggers multiple ViewContent events, helping Meta detect and process products faster.
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You can think of Meta’s system as a queue: the more product events your pixel sends, the faster items move forward and appear in your catalogue.

Step 6 – Monitor the Catalogue Growth​

Patience is key for new catalogues. As long as you see the number of items increasing in your Meta catalogue, it means Pixel Plus is performing correctly. From this point on, the update speed and completeness depend solely on Meta’s systems, not on the module itself.

You can monitor progress in: Meta Commerce Manager → Catalogues → Items → Diagnostics

Official Meta Documentation​

For additional details, refer to Meta’s official documentation:

Connect a Meta Pixel or app SDK to a catalog https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1044262445604547

Add items to a catalog from your website with the Meta Pixel https://www.facebook.com/business/help/887775018036966

Summary​

Once the microdata is validated and the events are firing correctly, Pixel Plus handles all the technical aspects — event generation, data structure, and Meta integration — automatically.

After that, your catalogue will start populating naturally through product visits. If you see items being added progressively, it means everything is working as expected. From there, the timing and performance depend entirely on Meta’s processing systems.

For most shops, a few days of normal traffic are enough for the catalogue to display hundreds of products automatically.

Smart Modules — Pixel Plus for PrestaShop Your all-in-one solution for precise event tracking and seamless Meta catalogue integration.