What is the source of a GTIN for Shopify sellers?

CurtainDSummer
Visitor
1 0 1

Google keeps asking for a GTIN number, which neither Printify, CJDropshipping or AliExpress provides
We need help

Replies 7 (7)

Olivia
Shopify Staff
1695 146 302

Hi, @CurtainDSummer!

 

Welcome to Shopify Community.

 

Thank you for reaching out for support with your question. To make sure you get the information you need today, I pulled up some resources from Google Support.

 

According to Google Support, "A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a unique and internationally recognized identifier for a product. When a GTIN is available, it will appear next to the barcode on your product's packaging or book cover (source)." 

 

This does not mean that a GTIN will always be available on all of your products. Read more about unique product identifiers to learn how to navigate these scenarios and Google's recommended approach through this solution

 

In short, that article thoroughly describes how to submit products to Google Shopping feeds depending on which (if any) unique product identifiers are available to you.

 

Are you currently seeing this issue on the Shopify Google Channel? If so, please let me know and I can provide further advice.


Warm regards,

Olivia | Social Care @ Shopify 
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EmmanuelFlossie
Shopify Partner
2953 221 710

If the product packaging does not have any barcodes.

 

Do not submit brand, mpn and of course GTIN, and set identifier exists to no

 

Depending on the app you use, you may encounter issues where the data is not submitted correctly.

 

In this case use feed rules to clear up the issues, bu using the clear rule. Explained here: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/7450276?hl=en

Get in touch with Emmanuel: a Google Shopping Specialist, Google Ads Diamond Product Expert, and also a a Google Product Expert Education 2021 & Tailwind 2023 Award winner.
Need Google Merchant Center or Google Shopping support?.
Olivia
Shopify Staff
1695 146 302

Thanks for your contribution to this thread, @EmmanuelFlossie. We appreciate you taking the time out to share your feedback.

 

Please let us know if you were able to resolve this, @CurtainDSummer.

 

We look forward to your reply,

Olivia | Social Care @ Shopify 
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tixx2
Tourist
8 0 1

Hi Emmanuel,

 

thank you for this. Could you help mw with this to set it up right. I already spend like 10K on marketing for one of my products and google now starts to asked for GTIN, which i dont have and already communicate but attached you will see their respons. No I am wondering how I can handle this case.

 

Thank you in advance

 

Bildschirmfoto 2023-02-21 um 10.52.00.png

Olivia
Shopify Staff
1695 146 302

Hi, @tixx2!

 

I realize you've directed your question to our partner, but I also wanted to share my feedback while you wait for a response from them.

 

Based on your letter, the only way to move forward if you don't have a GTIN on your products is with a GTIN exemption. From my understanding, this occurs if they have determined your product does qualify for one and they may have provided an example or number in your letter as well.

 

To move forward with a GTIN exemption you should contact your manufacturer for a letter, and then provide it back to that email support ticket.

 

Perhaps our partner, @EmmanuelFlossie, may also have further advice for you.

 

Warm regards,

Olivia | Social Care @ Shopify 
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EmmanuelFlossie
Shopify Partner
2953 221 710

Hello @tixx2 , the correct steps forward is what @Olivia highlighted.

 

However, it's not straightforward as Google suggested. Even if you get a letter from the manufacturer, Google may still reject this letter.

 

This happens when Google has detected that other merchants have added a barcode.

 

This usually happens when the products in question are whitelabel. In these cases resellers place there own brand name on it, and in rare occasions also official GS1 barcodes.

 

If this is the case, the solution is to add your own brand name, set identifier exists to yes. And not add a barcode or mpn.

 

This might still not work, I resolve a lot of these issues, and it is always a little different for each merchant.

 

And as of a few months ago, Google has ramped up disapproved or limiting products with invalid product identifiers.

Get in touch with Emmanuel: a Google Shopping Specialist, Google Ads Diamond Product Expert, and also a a Google Product Expert Education 2021 & Tailwind 2023 Award winner.
Need Google Merchant Center or Google Shopping support?.
Olivia
Shopify Staff
1695 146 302

Thank you so much for your insight, @EmmanuelFlossie.

 

We appreciate that added context, and I trust our users will find this information very helpful.

 

Warm regards,

Olivia | Social Care @ Shopify 
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 - Was your question answered? Mark it as an Accepted Solution
 - To learn more visit the Shopify Help Center or the Shopify Blog