identifier_exists [identifier_exists]: Definition

Use the identifier_exists attribute to indicate that unique product identifiers (UPIs) aren't available for your product. Unique product identifiers are submitted using the gtin, mpn, and brand attributes.

When to use

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

• If your product is new (which you submit through the condition [condition] attribute) and it doesn't have assigned product identifiers that meet the requirements below, then submit identifier_exists [identifier_exists] with a value of no [no] or false [false].

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.
	Clothing	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 items, 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 items

Format

Follow these formatting guidelines to make sure that we understand the data that you're submitting. 

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	no
XML feeds	<g:identifier_exists>no</g:identifier_exists>

To format your data for Content API, have a look at the Content API for Shopping.

Guidelines

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

• Ensure that you only use this attribute if you are sure that your product doesn't have any unique product identifiers assigned. 
• 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 be disapproved.

Examples

Products without GTINs, MPNs & brands

Product	Customised black dress
title [title]	Customised black dress
price [price]	32 GBP
color [colour]	black
size [size]	M
identifier exists [identifier_exists]	no
condition [condition]	new
is_bundle [is_bundle]	more
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	Wool scarf
title [title]	Hand-knitted polka-dot wool scarf – orange/black
identifier exists [identifier_exists]	no
price [price]	15 GBP
color [colour]	orange/black
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)