How to fix: Incorrect identifier: GTIN [gtin]

Use the correct identifier for this product

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The GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) value submitted for this product is not correct. This error tends to occur when the GTIN from another product is accidentally re-used.

For any given product, you must only use the related GTIN number that is provided by the manufacturer. This identifying value uniquely defines your product and helps to match search queries with your offers.

If your product has a barcode, you can normally find the GTIN on the packaging.

Once you confirm that the GTIN you’ve provided correctly corresponds to your product, please make sure that the other product attributes (for example, image [image], title [title], or description [description]) are of high quality and consistent with your product.

For more information about the validation of GTINs, refer to the GTIN Validation Tool managed by GS1.

Instructions

Step 1: See the affected products

Sign in to your Merchant Center account.
Select Products on the navigation menu, then click Diagnostics.
Click the Item issues tab to view current issues affecting your products.

To download a list (.csv) of all affected products for all issues:

Click the download button next to the filter button , beneath the graph and above the list of issues.

To download a list (.csv) of all affected products for a particular issue:

Find the issue under the “Issue” column, then click the download button at the end of the row.

To view a list of up to 50 products with this particular issue:

Find the issue under the “Issue” column, then click View examples in the “Affected items” column.

Step 2: Correct the product identifiers to exactly match those provided by the manufacturer for that same product

Filter the downloaded report so that you only see products with:
“Issue title” = Incorrect identifier: GTIN [gtin]
Check your submitted product data for those products (using the ID), and make sure each product is using the correct value for the GTIN [gtin] attribute.

Step 3: Resubmit your product data

After you’ve updated your product data, resubmit it using one of these methods:
Next, check that you’ve fixed the issue by making sure it’s no longer listed on the Diagnostics page.

Keep in mind: It may take some time for your change to be reflected on the Diagnostics page.

Note: Updating an item’s GTIN will not immediately re-approve the offer. New GTINs must be re-examined before an offer is reapproved. Re-examination typically occurs within a week. In the meantime the offer will be marked as "under review".

Step 4 (Optional): Request a review

In some instances, if your account or one of your product offers is disapproved and you’ve either fixed the issue or you disagree with the issue, you can request a review. If the review is successful, your issue will disappear. If the disapproval remains and you’re uncertain with how to proceed, contact us for support.

Note: If you use a third-party platform to list your products, you may also be able to go to your third-party application to request a review.

If you’re working with a third-party platform, some of these instructions may not apply to you. Refer to your third-party platform for instructions on how to resolve the issue and request a review. Learn how to find support if you use a non-Google platform.

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