Fixing GTIN Errors
A GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the number under a product’s barcode. Common types are UPC (12 digits, mainly North America), EAN (13 digits), ISBN (books) and GTIN-14.
When Feedy asks for a GTIN
Section titled “When Feedy asks for a GTIN”| Platform | Missing GTIN is… |
|---|---|
| Google Shopping | An error for products with a brand, unless Identifier exists is unchecked |
| Microsoft Advertising | A warning; an error if there’s no brand either |
| TikTok | A recommendation (GTIN or MPN) |
| Facebook, Pinterest | Not checked |
Where Feedy gets the GTIN
Section titled “Where Feedy gets the GTIN”- The GTIN / Barcode field on the product page in Feedy, if you’ve filled it in.
- Otherwise, the Barcode of the product’s variants in Shopify.
On a feed’s Advanced Settings card you can also turn on Use barcode as GTIN, so the first variant’s Shopify barcode is used as the GTIN in that feed.
Add or correct a GTIN
Section titled “Add or correct a GTIN”In Shopify (recommended): add the barcode to the variant in Shopify. Feedy picks it up automatically and it’s used by every platform.
In Feedy, for one product:
- Go to Products and click the product.
- Enter the number in GTIN / Barcode.
- Click Save.
Feedy checks the number when you save. It accepts spaces and dashes, then checks that:
- it contains only digits
- it’s 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits long
- the last digit (the check digit) is correct
If any check fails you’ll see a message such as “GTIN must be 8, 12, 13, or 14 digits” or “Invalid check digit - please verify the barcode”, and the product isn’t saved until you fix it.
In Feedy, for many products: select them on Products and use Edit GTIN. This gives every selected product the same GTIN, so it’s only useful in rare cases. It overwrites existing values.
GTINs entered in Feedy are used by Google Shopping feeds.
Products without a GTIN
Section titled “Products without a GTIN”Handmade, custom, vintage and own-brand products often have no GTIN. Don’t make one up: Google may disapprove products with invalid or borrowed GTINs.
Instead:
- Open the product in Feedy.
- Uncheck Identifier exists.
- Make sure the product has a brand (and an MPN if it has one).
- Click Save.
Feedy stops reporting the missing GTIN and adds identifier_exists set to false to the Google feed.
Getting GTINs
Section titled “Getting GTINs”If you make your own products and want GTINs, they’re issued by GS1, the organisation that manages barcodes (https://www.gs1.org). If you resell products, ask the manufacturer or check the product packaging.