Custom Matches are specific matching configurations you create in Shuttle to keep stock levels synchronized between variations that belong to separate products.
For example, imagine you have a Shopify product with two variations. On Etsy, these two Shopify variations exist as individual, separate products. Even though they're listed separately, you'd still like their stock levels to stay perfectly aligned across both platforms.
Since Shuttle typically matches products one-to-one automatically, it can't handle matching across separate products without your input—this is where Custom Matches help. By creating a Custom Match for each pair (one Shopify variation matched to one Etsy product), Shuttle understands these items should always share identical stock levels.
After creating a Custom Match, whenever a stock change occurs in one product (or variation), Shuttle will automatically update the corresponding matched variation on the other platform.
Setting up Custom Matches is straightforward:
Simply select the Etsy variation and its corresponding Shopify variation, and Shuttle will handle the synchronization automatically.
Important Note: If the variations you're matching already have existing automatic matches (due to SKUs, names, or previous transfers), Shuttle will ensure stock levels remain synchronized across these matches as well.