Identifier exists [identifier_exists]

Use the identifier exists [identifier_exists] attribute to indicate that unique product identifiers (UPIs) aren’t available for your product. Unique product identifiers are submitted using the GTIN [gtin], MPN [mpn], and brand [brand] attributes.

In this article

• When to use
• Format
• Minimum requirements
• Examples

When to use

Use for products that don’t have a GTIN, MPN, or brand.

• If your product is new (which you submit using the condition [condition] attribute) and it doesn’t have assigned product identifiers that meet the requirements below, you should submit the identifier exists [identifier_exists] attribute with a value of no [no] or false [false]. Note this value must be submitted in English.

Use the following set of rules to provide the correct identifiers for each of your products.

Product identifier requirements
Regardless of category	The GTIN [gtin] attribute is required if the product is widely manufactured and has a GTIN.
	Apparel	Media	Other categories
Required product identifiers based on category	Requires a value for the brand [brand] attribute	Requires a value for the GTIN [gtin] attribute (for example, ISBN)	Requires a value for the brand [brand] attribute (if there is no brand, provide the manufacturer/supplier name) If there is no GTIN, provide the MPN [mpn] attribute.
Otherwise	If product identifier requirements are not met, then your item’s performance may be limited.

Products that might not have unique product identifiers include:

• Custom goods or one-of-a-kind products, like custom T-shirts, art, or handmade goods
• Products produced before GTINs were introduced, like vintage products, antiques, books published before 1970, and other special products

There are 4 supported values for this attribute:

yes [yes] / true [true]
no [no] / false [false]

Note that the value must be submitted in English.

Format

Follow these formatting guidelines to make sure Google understands the data you're submitting.

Learn when and how to submit your product data in English

Type	Boolean
Supported values (Text and XML feeds)	yes, true, no, false
Supported values (Content API feeds)	true, false
Repeated field	No

 

File format	Example entry
Text (TSV)	no
XML (Feeds)	<g:identifier_exists>no</g:identifier_exists>

To format your data for content API, go to the Content API for Shopping resource.

Note: To ensure that this product data attribute gets recognized by our system correctly, remember to submit your data source file in a format that we support.

Minimum requirements

Follow these guidelines to make sure you submit high-quality data for your products.

• Ensure that you only set the value to no [no] or false [false] for this attribute if you're certain that your product doesn’t have any assigned unique product identifiers. Note that the value must be submitted in English.
• Products for which the identifier exists [identifier_exists] attribute is incorrectly set to no [no] or false [false] and for which there is evidence that a unique product identifier exists, will receive a warning. Note that the value must be submitted in English.

Examples

Products without GTINs, MPNs & brands

Product data for a new customized black dress, size medium, 32 USD
Attribute	Value
Title [title]	Customized Black Dress
Price [price]	32 USD
Color [color]	Black
Size [size]	M
Identifier exists [identifier_exists]	no
Condition [condition]	new
Bundle [is_bundle]	yes
GTIN [gtin]	(Leave blank, since the dress is custom made and doesn't have a GTIN)
MPN [mpn]	(Leave blank, since the dress is custom made and doesn't have an MPN)

Product data for a new, hand-knitted, orange and black polka dot wool scarf, 15 USD
Attribute	Value
Title [title]	Hand knitted polka dot wool scarf - orange / black
Price [price]	15 USD
Color [color]	Orange / black
Identifier exists [identifier_exists]	no
Condition [condition]	new
GTIN [gtin]	(Leave blank, since the scarf is custom made and doesn't have a GTIN)
MPN [mpn]	(Leave blank, since the scarf is custom made and doesn't have an MPN)