identifier_exists = no: a product with no identifiers
A product has no manufacturer code, yet Merchant Center and the Meta catalogue keep asking for identifiers. The identifier_exists attribute lets you tell Google honestly that there are none. Meta, however, separately needs a brand, GTIN or MPN.
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The message you see
A warning about a missing [gtin] value and, in the Meta catalogue, an error for no brand, GTIN or MPN.
Google Merchant Center → Products → Diagnostics; Meta Commerce Manager, catalogue diagnostics.
What Basketly does
Basketly skips the missing-GTIN warning when identifier_exists = no and opens a manual fix from the product record. It does not satisfy Meta’s requirement (brand, GTIN or MPN).
Why it is flagged
Google wants to know whether a missing GTIN is an oversight or a fact. identifier_exists settles it in one word. Examples: handmade goods, made to order, antiques. For Meta what counts is whether the product has a brand, GTIN or MPN, because without any of them the catalogue will not take the product.
How Basketly handles it
- Products: next to the missing-GTIN check the “set identifier_exists = no” link opens a ready manual fix.
- The manual fix survives the next shop reads and reaches every feed with the product.
- The Meta check for no brand, GTIN or MPN (an error) goes only once one of those fields is filled.
- The fix is your decision: the panel does not set identifier_exists on its own.
How to set identifier_exists = no by hand
Do it only for products that certainly have no manufacturer code.
Make sure there is no code
Check the packaging, the supplier and the manufacturer’s site. If a code exists, enter it in GTIN.
Set the attribute
On the product record open the manual fix (the link next to the problem) and enter identifier_exists = no.
Fill in the brand
For Meta give a brand or an MPN. Google allows the shop’s name as the brand where you are the manufacturer.
Check the diagnosis
After the next feed fetch the GTIN warning should go; the product’s score in the panel rises at once.
What Basketly does not do
- It does not replace the brand, GTIN or MPN the Meta catalogue requires.
- It does not set itself: it is your declaration.
- It does not guarantee approval.
Sources
- Google Merchant Center Help: identifier_exists (checked )
- Google Merchant Center Help: GTIN [gtin] (checked )
- Meta for Developers: Catalog reference (checked )
Frequently asked questions
Your question is not here? Write to us
When the product truly has no assigned identifiers, for example handmade goods, made to order or an antique. Google warns that a product showing an identifier gets a warning.
No. Meta wants a brand, GTIN or MPN. For own products give the brand.
No. For Google a GTIN is recommended where the manufacturer assigned one; for Meta one of the three is enough.
See also
- Product statisticsImpressions, clicks and spend of every product in Meta catalogue ads, next to views, carts and sales in your shop.Read
- Missing GTINA product without a GTIN (EAN/UPC): when you must give one, when not, and how to fix it.Read
- Missing brandA product without a brand: when Google requires it, when Meta refuses the product and how to fill it in.Read
- GTIN (EAN, UPC)A product identification number (EAN, UPC, ISBN) assigned by the manufacturer.Read
- Product data guidelines of Google, Meta, TikTok and Pinterest: rules with sources and AI titlesProduct data rules of Google Merchant Center, the Meta catalogue, TikTok and Pinterest: how to see which ones your products break and how title suggestions work.Read
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