Amazon UPC, GTIN & Product ID How-To Guides
This is the Amazon product ID section of the Goat Consulting blog, where we cover how UPCs, GTINs, and Amazon's product identification system actually work from a seller's point of view. You'll find practitioner-written guides on the differences between UPC, GTIN, and EAN, Amazon error codes, what GS1 is, how to apply for a product ID exemption, and how GTIN hijacking and commingling work. Every post is written by a member of our team who has set up and cleaned up product catalogs for brands, so you get both the rule and the real-world workaround.
Most sellers land here trying to diagnose a listing error or figure out what kind of barcode they need, so the posts below are a working reference when Amazon throws a product ID problem at you. If you'd rather have the Goat Consulting team reclaim a GTIN, fix an error code, or clean up your catalog's product IDs for you reach out to us.
How to Fix a Down Amazon Listing With GTIN UPC Issue
This blog post covers what to do if your Amazon listing has been pulled due to GS1 UPC issues. Sometimes, when creating a new listing or adding a new offer to an existing listing, you may run into this issue. This blog post will cover the specific issue of the error message “This ASIN has GTIN codes that do not match the brand associated with the ASIN.” It is vital as a seller to clear this error so you can activate your listing and start selling on Amazon. It is important to have active and compliant listings so customers can find your products. Amazon enforces issues like GTIN compliance to ensure Amazon is a fair marketplace, and to avoid any fraudulent listings. If you do not provide GTIN proof and clear this error with Amazon, you will not be able to list your product. This can result in disappointment among customers looking for your products. If Amazon did not enforce this rule, there could be many fraudulent sellers on Amazon using UPC GTIN codes that do not belong to them, which would cause a lot of errors and confusion on the platform. This post will cover what causes this error, what to do when you face this error, and the necessary items to appeal it.
Goat Consulting Interview with GS1 US Celebrating 50th Anniversary of First Barcode Scan
On June 26th GS1 US celebrated its 50-Year Barcode ‘Scanniversary’. Goat Consulting had the opportunity to interview Amber Walls, Senior Director, GS1 US about the past 50 years of barcode history and where the Universal Product Code is headed in the future. Imagine a world where every item in a store lacked a label, making it difficult to track inventory or ring up purchases efficiently. That's where the humble UPC barcode comes in! Developed initially by a former IBM engineer George Laurer a, UPCs allow retailers and online marketplaces to effortlessly identify, track, and manage their stock across all channels. The standardized codes act like a product's unique fingerprint and have revolutionized the way we shop with every scan since their debut in 1974.
GS1 US Launches New Verified by GS1 Search Database Interview
The introduction of GS1 US's new Verified by GS1 Search database represents a significant leap forward for sellers on Amazon and those utilizing Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) services. This enhanced database, designed to replace the legacy GEPIR system, offers a centralized and more robust platform for validating and authenticating product information through GS1 identifiers such as GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) and GLNs (Global Location Numbers). For Amazon sellers, the ability to access and verify detailed product information easily and accurately is crucial to help protect seller’s Amazon listings and ensure compliance with Amazon's stringent product identification requirements. This will help Amazon sellers ability to scale their operations internationally, streamline their supply chain processes, and improve the customer experience by providing accurate product information.