How to choose the construction mode of product IDs in the feed?

In your Facebook product feed, each item (whether it's a product or a combination of a product if you export by combinations) is identified by a code, called the item's feed ID. From version 1.5.0, the module offers different ways of constructing this feed ID. In the vast majority of cases, it is preferable to use the ID that your products have in your back office. This is why, if you don't know what to choose, we advise you to leave the option on "Use the IDs of the products in the back office". However, two other construction modes are also possible: using the references of your products or using the EAN codes.

1/ Use the IDs of the products in the back-office

If you choose to use the IDs of the products (or combinations) in the back office:

Then:

The module will build for each of your products a unique identifier (ID) composed of a shop prefix (if it is filled in), a prefix identifying the language (if you check "Yes" for the corresponding option), the ID of the product in the back-office, and, if you export each combination as a separate product, a separator and an identifier of the combination.

Item feed ID = SHOP PREFIX + LANGUAGE PREFIX + PRODUCT ID + SEPARATOR + SUFFIX ID COMBINATION

Example: BMEN1v12

To learn more about the use of the different ID prefixes, go to this FAQ. Please note that the language ID must not be activated if you want to use country feeds (see this FAQ).

In some cases, especially if you had an old export system that took these values and you don't want to go through Facebook validation again or have to redo your advertising campaigns, then you can use the product reference or the EAN code:

2/ Use the product references

If you choose to use the references of the products (or combinations) to identify your products in the feed:

Then:

Item feed ID = REFERENCE

Example: Hummingbird_notebook_ruled

Attention : if you want to use the product references, make sure that:

• The references are filled in for all the products (or product combinations) to be exported. If the information is missing, the module will use the ID of the product in the back-office (first option) to avoid your feed being rejected by Facebook (the product ID in the feed is mandatory).
• Each reference is unique. If several products or several combinations have the same reference, Facebook will consider them as duplicates and will send you an error.

3/ Use the EAN codes

If you choose to use the EAN codes of the products (or combinations) to identify your products in the feed:

Then:

Item feed ID = CODE EAN

Example: 2222222222222

Attention : if you want to use the product EAN codes, make sure that:

• The EAN codes are filled in for all products (or product combinations) to be exported. If the information is missing, the module will use will use the ID of the product in the back-office (first option) to avoid your feed being rejected by Facebook (the product ID in the feed is mandatory).
• Each EAN code is unique. If several products or several combinations have the same code, Facebook will consider them as duplicates and will send you an error.