Dropshipped Shopify products synced to Google Merchant Center (GMC) are triggering GTIN errors despite marking items as custom; a freelancer also added random GTINs, worsening issues.
Key guidance:
Only manufacturers can obtain official GS1 barcodes; self-bought UPCs for resellers are rejected. Do not submit random/incorrect GTINs.
For products without identifiers, use feed rules to clear brand, MPN, and GTIN, and set identifier_exists = no. (GTIN = barcode; MPN = manufacturer part number.)
If you get “Incorrect value [identifier exists]”:
Google believes a barcode exists. Verify in GMC > Products > Final attributes. If a GTIN exists, submit the correct GTIN with brand and set identifier_exists = yes. If none exists, keep identifier_exists = no and accept lower performance.
Operational notes:
When the same product is sourced from multiple suppliers with different barcodes, use the GTIN for the specific physical product you sell; do not reuse one GTIN across different items.
To speed bulk edits, a Shopify bulk product editor app was recommended.
Resources: A how-to video and official Google support articles on identifiers and feed rules were shared.
Status: Actions provided; some items still flagged when Google expects GTINs. Resolution depends on confirming whether true identifiers exist.
I have linked “Google & YouTube” sales channel to bring my product to GMC using inbuilt feed.
I am sourcing all products from AliExpress and asked all suppliers for GTIN and they don’t have it.
So in Shopify to Google Feed I set “Custom Product” to “True” for all my product.
After few days GTIN errors were popping up, even though I have flag “Custom Product” to “True”
So I hired a freelancer on Fi**rr and he took shortcut and set all random GTINs for different product (when checking one or two product he put numbers which does not meet product category).
Can someone guide me what are my options here, as no GTINs are available for my products..
Should I buy UPC codes and apply them in GMC?
OR
Set all “identifier_exist” to “NO” (via Feed Rules) and remove all GTINs entered?
Hi @EmmanuelFlossie , Now solution have triggered “Incorrect value [identifier exists]”, is that mean I have to google algorithm identifies that those products have GTIN exist and I have to find them manually over google to apply?
If you have verified that the products have no brand, mpn and gtin, and verified that identifier exists is set to no. In Google Merchant Center > products > all products > click on the product with the issue> scroll to the bottom > view the final attributes.
Then yes, Google expects barcodes, if you don’t have them, then just leave it and accept the lower performance. Whatever you do, don’t submit incorrect data.
I tried what you said and it worked, but now I’m left with a new problem:
Incorrect value [identifier exists]
I’m being told “This item has an internationally recognized, unique identifier. Submit a valid GTIN, and either set this value to true or remove this value.”
If Google says it has a barcode, then most likely that is the case. I recommend checking the product packaging, or contact the manufacturer to find the barcode.
I spoke with the main person at the company and she said yes, there are bar codes, but now she’s telling me that 1 product (the same product) is sourced by multiple companies with different bar codes. We only sell one American flag, but again, we get it from different places depending on stock. Can I just use one?
I have a lot of products, and getting and entering GTIN is going to take a long time. any recommendations on speeding up the process
If you continue to have issues, then something is not setup correct. Here are the details you should follow:
If a manufacturer has assigned a barcode then you are required to add this info in the GTIN field. Alongside the brand value with identifier exists to yes.
If the manufacturer has not assigned a barcode, then remove the values brand, mpn and gtin and set identifier exists to no.
