gtinGTIN for Google Shopping
- ConditionalIf the manufacturer assigned one
- FeedShine sends
- Variant barcodes, when valid
A GTIN is the product's global barcode number. UPC, EAN, JAN and ISBN are all GTINs of 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. Google uses it to match your offer to its product catalog, which unlocks richer listings and better matching. Items that have a GTIN assigned by the manufacturer are expected to include it.
How this app fills it
- The GTIN comes from the barcodes on each variant in Shopify. A variant can hold several, and the app reads them all.
- By default the app checksums every barcode and only emits values that are valid GTINs. Placeholder barcodes are silently skipped instead of causing disapprovals.
- ASIN and other codes that are not GTINs are skipped. So are barcodes in the restricted and coupon ranges Google rejects.
- A barcode typed as ISBN-10 or as a short UPC-E is converted to the longer form Google asks for.
- Google gets up to 10 GTINs per item. Other channels get the first valid one.
- When an item has no GTIN and no brand plus MPN pair, the app emits identifier_exists automatically so Google does not expect one.
- The Identifiers tab controls all of this, including a raw mode that sends the first barcode unchecked.
Dos
- Enter real barcodes in Shopify for every variant that has one.
- Set each barcode's type in Shopify when you know it. A typed barcode is checked against its standard as you enter it.
- Fix invalid barcodes at the source in Shopify. The app skips them, but a real GTIN always beats none.
- Use the manufacturer's GTIN for the exact variant, not the parent product.
- Leave the barcode empty for genuine one-off products like handmade goods.
Don'ts
- Never invent a GTIN. Google validates against the GS1 registry and disapproves fakes.
- Don't reuse one barcode across different variants.
- Don't enter internal SKUs in the barcode field. SKUs belong in the SKU field and map to MPN.
- Don't buy GTINs from anywhere except GS1 or official resellers.
Note. The Optimization page lists every product with no valid GTIN on any variant, so you can work through the catalog top to bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Is GTIN required for Google Shopping?
It is required for any product the manufacturer assigned one to. Products without a GTIN can use brand plus MPN, or identifier_exists set to no.
What happens if my barcode is not a real GTIN?
Google disapproves the item for an invalid GTIN. This app avoids that by checksumming barcodes and skipping ones that fail.
Can a variant have more than one GTIN?
Yes. Shopify lets a variant hold up to 20 barcodes. The app sends every valid GTIN to Google, up to 10, and the first one to other channels.
My products are handmade and have no barcodes. Am I stuck?
No. The app emits identifier_exists automatically for items without identifiers, which tells Google not to expect a GTIN.
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