How to update identifier_exists through Shopify?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

Google Merchant Center warnings for Shopify’s Google channel show “Limited performance due to missing identifiers [gtin, mpn, brand].” Core fix: create a Feed Rule in GMC (Feeds > Content API > Feed rules) and set identifier_exists to “no” (Google’s updated value; “false” still works). Apply/test and wait—changes often reflect within ~24 hours; verify via Products > All products > Final attributes.

Targeting/scale:

  • For only some products (e.g., custom), target feed rules using conditions or use a supplement feed.
  • Bulk editing these fields in Shopify is limited; consider a third‑party bulk product editor.

Data guidance:

  • If identifier_exists = no, leave brand, mpn, and gtin empty to avoid contradictions.
  • Some categories require GTIN; setting identifier_exists to no won’t remove warnings—submit valid barcodes or accept limited performance and ineligibility for enhanced free listings.

Troubleshooting notes:

  • Two warnings differ: missing identifiers vs missing value [gtin]; the latter persists in GTIN‑required categories.
  • If historical data used “FALSE,” add a rule to standardize “FALSE” to “No.”
  • To remove a mistaken supplement, save as draft then apply to complete deletion.

Outcome: Many merchants report the feed‑rule fix cleared warnings; unresolved cases involve GTIN‑required categories. Discussion remains partly open for edge cases.

Summarized with AI on January 18. AI used: gpt-5.
8

I have literally spent all day going around in circles, from ‘link to link’ to work this out and I wanted to help people save time and unnecessary stress!

First of all…STOP searching in Shopify and head over to your Google merchant centre account, go to the left hand menu and click ‘feeds’.

If you sell custom products and don’t have a clue about ‘feeds’, gtin’s / mpn’s etc. then here’s how to get rid of the ‘missing identifiers’ error you’re probably seeing at the bottom of your product diagnostics page.

(this is for anyone who has linked their store to Google from Shopify, (added as a sales channel), which automatically uploads all your products using ‘content API’)…I’m not sure if you will have the same options if you’ve uploaded your products one by one, sorry!

  1. Click on the content API link under ‘feed name’

  2. There you will find the elusive ‘feed rules’ menu…click!

  3. Click the blue + button to create new feed rule

  4. Choose processed attributes

  5. Scroll down to choose ‘identifier exists’ and set to ‘no’

  6. Then click ‘save as draft’ and click test, (or apply if test doesn’t work) *

  • For me, the ‘test’ didn’t work, so after waiting approx 10 mins, I tried again, still didn’t work…so after another few mins, I clicked ‘apply’, waited 10 mins, went to back to feeds - content API - feed rules - and your new attribute rule should be there, set to no!

To check it worked properly, go back to your product diagnostics in the left hand menu…and voila! your error message should be gone :slightly_smiling_face:

I really hope this helped…as it has driven me crazy for the last couple of months, but today was the day to sort it out!!!

(I think the last 2 steps in the screenshots might be the wrong way around, but I ran out of brain cells by the time I realised, hope it still makes sense) :slightly_smiling_face:

Good Luck,

Mel xx

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