Do I just create my own MPNs for products I make?

[DG-CTS]

Trying to add Google Shopping to my shop.  Google wants me to add MPNs.  I make the products that I sell, so do I just create my own MPNs and assign them to each product/variation?  I have a standardized SKU structure that I use to keep track of things internally, so seems like it would be easy to just use that for the MPN as well.

Thanks.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

When submitting product identifiers, the following should be applied.

If a manufacturer has assigned a bar code, then submit brand, MPN (if available), GTIN, and set identifier exists to yes.

If the manufacturer has not assigned a bar code, then remove the values brand, MPN, GTIN, and set identifier exists to no.

While the official documentation does mention, you can submit brand + MPN and ignore GTIN. However, in most cases, this will cause issues and generate warnings such as limited performance due to missing identifiers.

And as of June 2021, specific categories and or countries require barcodes to be submitted, regardless if you have any. So, in this case, you need to get official GS1 barcodes.

Reference: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6098295

A secondary reason for issues is that most merchants tend to use SKU as the MPN values, which is incorrect.

SKU stands for “stock keeping unit” and — as the name suggests — it is a number (usually eight alphanumeric digits) that retailers assign to products to keep track of stock levels internally.

An MPN, or manufacturer part number, is a manufacturer-assigned, unique, alphanumeric value used to identify a product among other products from the same manufacturer.

More info:

• https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324351
• https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324461
• https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324482
• https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324478

[nettle]

This doesn’t answer the question and I have the same issue. I AM the manufacturer of my products so there is no one else to refer to for MPNs. How do I create my own?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

If you don't already have assigned MPNs considering you are the manufacturer, then there is no need to create one.

The following setup applies to you:

If the manufacturer has not assigned a bar code, then remove the values brand, MPN, GTIN, and set identifier exists to no.

However, if you do want to create your own MPNs, then just create it. And add the values in Shopify. But from my experience, it is not recommended, based on the info you supplied.

[Trini-T]

Thanks for your information, however, I think the problem is that Google is asking for MPN/GTIN numbers before they will push our self-made products to their platform with our Shopify store. At least, this is the problem I'm having. I check that it's a custom product, it appears that it's approved and then later it shows up as requiring an MPN/GTIN. I'm not sure how to meaningfully resolve this.

[EmmanuelFlossie]

The issue is and I'm guessing you are using the free shopping app built by Shopify. Is that they do not submit the correct info.

My recommendation, is to correct the issue by following my guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvilyMb2Bo&t=229s

I deal with your issues on a weekly basis, with new clients asking for assistance. Either you fix it by using the feed rule option.

Or you use a different app such as: https://apps.shopify.com/multiple-google-shopping-feeds

To setup the rules to correctly submit the data.

[Trini-T]

Thanks! I'll give it a try!

[Trini-T]

Thanks! I'll give these a try! I appreciate it!

[unamusedtexan]

So, basically Shopify is not fixing something they're responsible for, which in turn makes it appear that they're intentionally not doing so in order to push Shopify users to subscribe to paid apps in their app store - which, Shopify earns revenue from. How scammy of them 😃 

[NickN1]

I'm in a similar situation. We created our products in google merchant center via Shopify but we did not have any MPN values. Now someone is advising us that to help optimize our Shopping Campaign we should in fact add the MPN value for our products. Would it help the performance of our campaign if we add an MPN value?

[EmmanuelFlossie]

No it will not improve performance, it may put your products into limited performance instead.

If you have no barcodes, remove the brand values and set identifier exists to no.

[ResultWorks]

all the advice says to just set identifier exists to no, but until now i had no idea where to do that. I think the answer is in the feed rules. Emmanuel explains in his video.  

[KreativDesign]

Jumping on here late to the party but this is revelant to my current situation.  Google shopping is asking for GTIN or MPNs, I make and sell my own products, they are personalisable also.  GTIN is not relevant, even though im the manufacturer I don't use MPNs but I could do if required.  Why would it limit my results if I added them when google are telling me to add them?  Could you explain please?  If this still that case as this thread is over 2 year old.  Thanks

[EmmanuelFlossie]

In your case @KreativDesign , if you don't want to have the limited performance warning, then make sure to remove, brand, mpn and gtin values, and set identifier exists to no.

As to why, because it's how Google's policies operate. If you want to learn in more details:

More info:
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324351
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324461
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324482
https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324478

And make sure that a lot of actions, are not only policy related, but also experience related. Meaning over 15 years of experience, I suggest the below.

By following the video below, will negate your concerns: