# Connections in Channable

In Channable, a connection links your account to an external platform, such as a webshop, marketplace, or advertising network. Connections allow Channable to receive and send product and order data, sync orders, and manage campaigns on the platform you’re using.

### What do connections do?

Connections serve three main functions:

* Send data from Channable to a platform.
* Verify your account with the connected platform (e.g. webshop, seller account).
* Provide platform-specific requirements for listing your products.

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**Important:** Creating a connection won’t slow down or negatively impact your webshop performance, existing advertisements and/or listings. No updates or changes are made until you activate and run a channel.
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### Different types of connections

#### Import connections

**Use:** To bring product data into Channable

Import connections connect Channable to where your product catalog is hosted—usually your webshop. Once connected, Channable can pull your product data in automatically.

#### Advertising connections

**Use:** To run ad campaigns from Channable on ad platforms (e.g. Google ads, Amazon ads)

Advertising connections allow Channable to create ad campaigns for advertising tools. These connections sync with your existing ad accounts and help you optimize your listings for paid campaigns.

#### Marketplace connections

**Use:** To list products on marketplaces (e.g. Amazon, bol)

To list on a marketplace through Channable, you need to connect your Channable account to that specific marketplace’s seller account. This validates your account and lets you send product listings.

Some marketplaces require a separate connection per region.

For example:

For Amazon, you need a different Amazon connection per region, as you need an Amazon account for each storefront (e.g. French Amazon account to sell on Amazon in France \[amazon.fr])

#### Order connections (add-on for Marketplaces)

Use: To sync orders between Channable and your webshop

Order connections send and sync order data (stock levels, shipping status, tracking information) from the marketplaces you’re listing on back to your eCommerce platform.