# identifier_exists

The identifier_exists attribute is an explicit declaration that a product has no manufacturer-assigned identifiers, set to no when a GTIN, MPN and brand genuinely do not exist for the item. It is a statement about the product, not a way to silence identifier warnings, and channels treat misuse as a data quality problem rather than a resolution.

- **Canonical URL:** https://www.feedlab.io/knowledge/attributes/identifier-exists
- **Last reviewed:** 16 September 2026
- **Source:** feedlab knowledge base
- **Licence:** free to quote and cite with attribution to feedlab


## Specification

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Attribute | `identifier_exists` |
| Plain name | Identifier exists declaration |
| Data type | Boolean |
| Format | Accepts yes or no, with yes being the default when the attribute is omitted. Set it to no only for custom, handmade, vintage or one-off goods where no manufacturer has assigned an identifier. When set to no, the channel stops expecting gtin and mpn for that item. |


### Example values

- `no`
- `yes`



### Support by channel

| Channel | Requirement | Field name | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Google Shopping | Optional | `identifier_exists` | Defaults to yes. Set to no only for genuinely unidentified products. |
| Microsoft Advertising | Optional | `identifier_exists` |  |
| OpenAI | Not supported | `identifier_exists` | No equivalent. OpenAI treats gtin and mpn as optional attributes rather than asking you to declare their absence. |












## Frequently asked questions

### Can I set identifier_exists to no to stop GTIN warnings?

You can, but it is the wrong fix when the products do have barcodes you simply have not entered. The declaration tells the channel not to expect identifiers, which removes the item from identifier-based matching and generally reduces how well it competes. Use it only when the product genuinely has no manufacturer identifier.

### When is identifier_exists set to no legitimate?

For custom, handmade, made-to-order, vintage and one-off products, and for own-brand goods where no GTIN has ever been assigned. These are exactly the cases the attribute exists for.

### What happens if I omit identifier_exists?

It defaults to yes, meaning the channel expects the item to have identifiers and will warn or disapprove when gtin and mpn are missing for products it believes should have them.




## Primary sources

- [Google: identifier_exists attribute specification](https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6324478)