---
title: "Product identity (GTIN/MPN, brand, SKU) · Specoria"
description: "Agents match the same product across marketplaces and stores by barcode; a product without identity drops out of comparisons or loses to a marketplace listing."
source_url: "https://specoria.com/method/checks/product-identity/"
lang: "en"
---

[← All checks](https://specoria.com/method/checks/)
product_identity

# Product identity (GTIN/MPN, brand, SKU)

Why it matters Agents match the same product across marketplaces and stores by barcode; a product without identity drops out of comparisons or loses to a marketplace listing.

**Category**
Product data

**Weight**
5 of 100 points

**Critical blocker**
No. If it fails, it only costs its own weight.

**Applies to**
Online stores

**Effort**
1 day · catalog team (barcodes) + developer

**Score model**
v2.4

## How we measure it

We read product identity from structured data: a valid GTIN (correct check digit) or an MPN, the brand and the SKU. An identifier plus the brand passes; none fails; partial credit weighs the identifier 50%, the brand 35% and the SKU 15%. The result also states identity confidence (no effect on score): a valid GTIN is “strong”, an MPN with the brand and no GTIN is “medium”, the product name alone is “weak”.

### What the result page says

These are the sentences in the test result; “…” is replaced by what we found on your site.

- Passed A valid GTIN or MPN and the brand are defined, so agents can match the product across channels.…
- Partial Product identity is incomplete: ….…
- Failed No GTIN, MPN, brand or SKU, so agents can’t match the product with listings on other channels.…

## How to fix it

**Target:** Brand and a valid GTIN (barcode) or MPN are defined; the SKU is there too.

### Example code

`"brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Brand Name" },
"gtin13": "0000000000000",
"mpn": "MPN-001",
"sku": "SKU-001"`
Example values (example.com, product name, price) are placeholders; replace them with your own.

### How to verify it yourself

Check the GTIN check digit with the GS1 validator and run the test again.

### Fix it with an AI coding agent

Paste this into Claude Code, Cursor or another coding agent working on your store’s code. Review the change before you deploy it.

`You are working on my online store. Specoria’s agent readiness test checks the item below. Fix it so AI shopping agents can read the store and act on it.

## 1. Product identity (GTIN/MPN, brand, SKU) (product_identity)
Target: Brand and a valid GTIN (barcode) or MPN are defined; the SKU is there too.
Example fix (adapt it to this codebase and platform; example values are placeholders):
```
"brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "Brand Name" },
"gtin13": "0000000000000",
"mpn": "MPN-001",
"sku": "SKU-001"
```
Reference: https://specoria.com/method/checks/product-identity/

## Rules
- First look through the codebase and tell me which files or templates you will change, before editing anything.
- Change only what these checks need, and keep the visible page and the structured data saying the same thing.
- Never invent prices, stock, shipping or return terms, reviews or product identifiers (GTIN): take them from the store’s real data or ask me.
- Don’t block or slow down real visitors and don’t add tracking.
- After deploying, run the free test again at https://specoria.com/ to verify the fix.`

## Specifications and guidance

- [GS1: GTIN ↗](https://www.gs1.org/standards/id-keys/gtin)
- [schema.org/gtin ↗](https://schema.org/gtin)

The check is based on these open sources; links go to the publisher’s own pages.

## Where it sits in the 196-criteria framework

The result of this check counts as evidence for these items of the readiness framework:

- `3.3` GTIN coverage is at or above 90%

[The framework and its source →](https://specoria.com/method/#criteria)

[← PreviousPrice, currency, availability and URL](https://specoria.com/method/checks/offer-complete/)[Next →Images and description](https://specoria.com/method/checks/product-media/)

[Run the free test](https://specoria.com/method/checks/product-identity/#test) [See the sample report →](https://specoria.com/reports/sample-report/)

## Related

- [Product structured data (schema.org)](https://specoria.com/method/checks/product-schema/)
- [Price, currency, availability and URL](https://specoria.com/method/checks/offer-complete/)
- [Agent Readiness Index 2027](https://specoria.com/index/) How the benchmarked stores scored, with open data
- [Glossary and formulas](https://specoria.com/glossary/) Every metric, defined the way we compute it

FREE TEST

## Test your store now

Enter your store’s address: 27 checks on your public pages, the way a shopping agent reads them.

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