Inventory Feed
A structured data file containing vehicle details, used to syndicate inventory to third-party sites.
Definition
An inventory feed is a file (often CSV, XML, or JSON) that contains structured data for every vehicle in a dealership’s inventory, including VIN, make, model, price, mileage, and photo URLs. This feed acts as the lifeblood of automotive digital marketing, powering listings on third-party marketplaces (Autotrader, Cars.com), dynamic social ads, and the dealership website itself. Feed accuracy and update frequency are critical for avoiding customer frustration over sold units.
Related Terms
Inventory Syndication
The automated process of distributing vehicle inventory data to multiple third-party websites.
Catalog Ads
Facebook and Instagram ad format that dynamically showcases products from an uploaded inventory catalog.
VIN to Ad
The process of automatically converting vehicle inventory data into ready-to-publish digital advertisements.
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