Hi, We have a shopify site and are trying to make the products available on Google Shopping. However, it has been months and it keeps giving us the same error on ALL our products: “Bar code isn’t valid”. We have changed all our bar codes multiple times using the App ‘Retail Barcode Labels’. The bar codes are 8 digits long. Why are they being rejected and how do we fix this error? Thanks
When you go to Google Merchant Center > Products > all products > click on the product with the issue > scroll to the bottom and open up the Final Attributes.
Do you see the values you have added in Shopify? Or incorrect / missing values?
Make sure the barcodes are official GS1 barcodes stamped on the packaging of the products, assigned by the manufacturer.
If you are a reseller, do not self assigned / buy barcodes
8-digit codes are not automatically valid for Google Shopping.
Many Shopify barcode apps generate internal retail labels, but Google Merchant Center validates GTIN structure and sometimes checks brand/prefix consistency as well.
Common reasons for “Barcode isn’t valid”:
- barcode generated only for internal use,
- invalid GTIN checksum,
- unsupported GTIN length for the product category,
- reused/random barcode numbers,
- barcode not properly synced to GMC final attributes.
Also, Google Shopping usually expects legitimate GTIN/UPC/EAN codes rather than simple printable barcode labels.
One useful step is checking Merchant Center → Products → Final attributes to confirm the exact GTIN value Google receives from Shopify.