Amazon ASIN Explained: How To Create & Find Product IDs

Drowning in thousands of Amazon listings and wondering how to make your product stand out? Understanding Amazon ASINs is the first step to mastering product management, tracking, and visibility. In this guide, Megaficus shows you exactly how to create and find product IDs to grow your Amazon business.

What Is Amazon ASIN?

An Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) is a unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by Amazon to each product listed on its platform. This code helps Amazon organize and manage its vast product catalog efficiently. 

Note: For books, the ASIN is identical to the ISBN, but for other products, a new ASIN is created upon listing.

Why Is Amazon ASIN Important?

ASINs play a crucial role in Amazon’s ecosystem by managing catalog data, tracking inventory, and organizing product pages for customer searches. For shoppers, this system enables:

• Easy navigation through multiple product categories
• Quick product searches by entering the ASIN directly into the search bar

Thanks to ASINs, Amazon can deliver accurate and relevant search results consistently. For sellers, using the correct ASIN for each product is essential because improper identification prevents Amazon from organizing and displaying products effectively, which directly reduces sales opportunities.

How Can Sellers Quickly Find a Product’s ASIN on Amazon?

Finding a product’s ASIN on Amazon is straightforward, and sellers have several reliable methods to choose from depending on their needs.

Locating ASIN On Product Pages

Amazon displays the ASIN in two convenient locations on every product page. First, you can scroll down to the “Product Information” or “Additional Information” section where the ASIN appears alongside other product specifications. Alternatively, you can check the URL in your browser’s address bar, where the ASIN is positioned immediately after “/dp/” in the web address.

Using Amazon’s Search Features

Amazon Seller Central provides sellers with multiple built-in methods to access ASINs efficiently through various tools and tabs within the platform:

1. Navigate to the “Inventory” tab and select “Manage All Inventory” to view ASINs for all your listed products.
2. Use the “Add a Product” page to search for ASINs by entering product names, model numbers, UPC codes, or EAN codes.
3. Access the Product Opportunity Explorer tool to analyze specific ASINs and identify emerging product trends in your category.

Using ASIN Lookup Tools And Extensions

Third-party tools and browser extensions offer advanced features for sellers managing large product catalogs. Popular Chrome extensions include:

• ASIN Finder: Integrates seamlessly with your browser and retrieves ASINs instantly with a single click
• Helium 10’s Chrome Extension: Provides comprehensive product data along with ASIN information

These tools offer powerful capabilities that streamline your workflow:

• Extract ASINs from multiple product listings simultaneously
• Export collected data to CSV or Excel files for further analysis
• Monitor competitor pricing and seller information in real-time
• Track ASIN performance metrics to optimize your listings

When Should Sellers Create A New Amazon ASIN?

Before listing a product on Amazon, sellers should first check if an ASIN already exists for that product, which determines whether to use the existing ASIN or create a new one.

When a product already has an ASIN, sellers can add their offer to the same listing. This way, multiple sellers can sell the same item under one product page. 

To find the existing listing, sellers can search using the product’s ASIN or UPC. This method is common among resellers, including wholesale, online, and retail arbitrage sellers, as well as dropshippers.

In that case, sellers must add the product to Amazon and create a new listing, after which Amazon will generate a unique ASIN for it. Typically, creating a new ASIN applies to brand owners, private label sellers, or those who have exclusive distribution rights for the product.

What Are The Main Requirements For Creating An Amazon ASIN?

Before starting the ASIN creation process, make sure you have everything ready to ensure your listing goes smoothly and meets Amazon’s quality standards:

Active And Good-Standing Seller Account

When creating a new ASIN, your Amazon seller account must be active and in good standing. This means it should be fully registered and free from suspensions, policy violations, or performance issues that could prevent your listings from going live.

Valid Product Identifier (UPC, EAN, or GTIN)

Each product needs a valid product identifier because Amazon uses these codes to track and organize items accurately.

For example, most U.S. products require a 12-digit UPC from GS1, while European products often use a 13-digit EAN. If your product lacks a GTIN, you must apply for a GTIN exemption and have it approved before creating the ASIN.

Product Images And Descriptions

High-quality images and clear product descriptions are essential for your Amazon listing because they help customers understand your product and improve its visibility. To meet Amazon’s standards, make sure to provide:

• Images: At least 1 high-quality image is required, ideally 5 – 7 images showing different angles. Amazon specifies a minimum of 1000 x 1000 pixels for zoom functionality, a white background, and no watermarks or borders.
• Product title: Should clearly describe the product and include its main feature.
• Bullet points: Highlight key attributes such as size, color, material, and use case.
• Description: Provide detailed specifications, dimensions, and accurate product information to help customers understand the item fully.

>>> Read more: Amazon Listing Optimization: 7 Strategies to Boost Sales

Amazon Brand Registry (If Applicable)

If you sell a branded product or private label, you must register your brand on Amazon Brand Registry before creating an ASIN. During registration, you need to provide your brand name, trademark registration number, and images of your logo or packaging. 

Once approved, you can use features like A+ Content, where you upload product images, comparison charts, and enhanced descriptions directly in the listing. 

How To Easily Create A New ASIN On Amazon

The seller can create a new ASIN on Amazon by following six essential steps:

Step 1. Research your product: Before creating a new ASIN, identify the product’s category, subcategory, and product type because Amazon requires this information, and it ensures the listing appears in the correct section.

Step 2. Sign in to Amazon Seller Central: Sign in to your Amazon Seller Central account to access the dashboard, and then click the “Inventory” tab and select “Add a Product” to start creating the ASIN.

Step 3. Choose product category: Choose the appropriate category, subcategory, and product type for the item, as selecting the correct category helps customers find the product and ensures it is organized properly in Amazon’s system.

Step 4. Enter product information: Enter the product name, brand, manufacturer, and a clear description, making sure all details are accurate because this information helps buyers find and understand the product.

Step 5. Enter product details: Provide specific attributes such as size, color, and material, and upload high-quality images while setting the price, so the listing is complete and ready for customers.

Step 6. Submit for approval: Review all information carefully and submit the product for Amazon’s approval, and after verification, Amazon will assign a new ASIN to the product so it can appear in the marketplace.

How To Manage ASIN Variations

When you create new ASINs for products with multiple variations, it is essential to manage them properly so that your product detail page remains clear, organized, and customer-friendly.

Creating A Parent-Child Relationship

The parent ASIN serves as a non-purchasable placeholder that groups all related variations, while each child ASIN represents a purchasable variant, such as a different size or color. By linking child ASINs to the parent, customers can easily view and select from all available options on a single product page.

Here is an example of the structure:

• Parent ASIN: Non-purchasable item serving as the main listing
• Child ASIN 1: Purchasable variation (e.g., Red, Small)
• Child ASIN 2: Another purchasable variation (e.g., Blue, Medium)

Listing Variations Correctly

To ensure that each variation appears correctly under the parent listing, it is important to provide accurate and clear information for every child ASIN. Specifically, you must include:

• Size: Clearly specify the size of the variant, whether it is clothing, electronics, or any other product with dimensional differences, so customers understand the options.
• Color: If applicable, accurately describe the color of the product variation, which helps customers distinguish between different options.
• Unique Identifiers: Assign each child ASIN its own unique identifiers, such as UPC or EAN codes, to differentiate it from other variations.

Common ASIN Issues And How To Fix Them

Below are the most common problems, including practical examples and tips to fix them by Megaficus.

GTIN Or Barcode Errors

This error occurs when you enter an invalid UPC, EAN, or GTIN code during ASIN creation, such as typing a 12-digit UPC with an extra digit or using codes from unreliable sources. When this happens, Amazon immediately rejects your listing with an error message like “Invalid GTIN format“, preventing the ASIN from being created.

To fix this, sellers must purchase barcodes directly from GS1 and verify that UPCs have exactly 12 digits and EANs have 13 digits. If the product doesn’t have a GTIN, sellers should apply for a GTIN exemption through Seller Central and wait for approval before listing.

Category Misclassification

Category misclassification happens when you select the wrong category or subcategory for your product during listing creation. For example, listing a fitness tracker under “Watches” instead of “Electronics > Wearable Technology” means customers searching for fitness trackers won’t find your product, drastically reducing sales and potentially causing Amazon to suppress the listing.

You can fix this by using Amazon’s Product Classifier tool to identify the correct category before creating your ASIN and ensuring that all product details comply with Amazon’s guidelines:

• Review the Browse Tree Guide (BTG) for your marketplace
• Select the most specific subcategory available
• Verify your product appears in the correct browse path after listing

Brand Name Restrictions

This issue occurs when you try to create an ASIN using a brand name not registered to your account or without proper authorization. For instance, attempting to sell “Nike” shoes without authorization will result in Amazon removing your listing within hours and issuing a policy violation notice, with repeated violations leading to account suspension.

To resolve this issue, you must take different actions based on your seller type. If you own the brand, enroll in Amazon Brand Registry with your trademark registration before creating ASINs. 

However, if you’re a reseller, you need to provide valid invoices from authorized distributors to prove your legal selling rights. Additionally, avoid using generic placeholders like “Generic” or “N/A” as these trigger additional verification requirements from Amazon.

Incomplete Or Inaccurate Information

Incomplete information occurs when you fail to fill in all required fields or enter incorrect data during ASIN creation. For instance, creating a t-shirt listing without specifying size and color will cause Amazon to flag it as “Incomplete”, preventing the product from going live and making it invisible to customers.

To resolve this, you need to go to Manage Inventory in Seller Central and click “Edit” on the affected listing to identify missing fields. Then, you should provide all required information, including:

• Product title, brand, and manufacturer
• Valid UPC/EAN/GTIN or approved exemption
• At least one compliant image
• Price and quantity
• Category-specific attributes (material, dimensions, weight)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Amazon ASINs