How to Handle Missing GTINs for Your Products on Google
If you’re selling products online, you’ve probably come across the term GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). It’s a unique identifier for products, often represented as a barcode. When you’re listing your products on platforms like Google, having a GTIN is crucial. Without it, your products may get rejected, which can be a big hassle. This is especially true if your manufacturer didn’t supply GTINs for certain items.
So, why does this happen? Well, many manufacturers don’t provide GTINs for every single product, especially if they’re custom-made or niche items. This can leave you in a tricky spot when you’re trying to list these products online. Google, for example, requires GTINs for many product categories to ensure that shoppers can find the right items easily. If your products don’t have GTINs, they risk being denied from appearing in search results, which means fewer sales for you.
But don’t worry! There’s a solution that can help you manage this issue and keep your products visible to potential customers.
Using ShoppingFeeder to Address Missing GTINs
Set Up a Rule
In ShoppingFeeder, you can create a rule to handle products without GTINs. The goal is to tell the system that if a product’s GTIN is missing, it should use another identifier instead—like the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) or MPN (Manufacturer Part Number). In this case, since you may not have MPNs for all products, using SKU is often the best choice.
Create the Operator
– Go into your ShoppingFeeder settings.
- Set up a new operator with the condition: If GTIN is empty, then set GTIN = SKU. This way, the system will simply substitute the SKU for the missing GTIN.
Test Your Changes
After creating this rule, it’s essential to test it on a few products to ensure that everything is working correctly. Check if products with missing GTINs are now being accepted by Google thanks to the SKU substitution.
Monitor Your Listings
Finally, keep an eye on your product listings. Make sure they’re appearing on Google without any issues. If you continue to encounter problems, revisit the rule you set up and adjust it as necessary.
By following this approach, you can ensure that your products are not stuck in limbo due to missing GTINs. Instead, you can help Google recognize your items, keeping your catalog accessible to shoppers.
In Summary
Managing missing GTINs doesn’t have to be a headache. By using ShoppingFeeder to set up a simple rule that substitutes SKUs for missing GTINs, you can keep your products listed and visible. This proactive step can save you time and help you maximize your sales potential. Happy selling!