ASINs

An ASIN, or Amazon Standard Identification Number, is a unique identifier assigned by Amazon to each product listed in its catalog. It is a 10-character alphanumeric string, typically consisting of digits and uppercase letters, and is specific to a product within a given Amazon marketplace. ASINs help organize, reference, and search for items across Amazon’s site and systems.

ASINs and product variations: For products that have variations such as different colors, sizes, or flavors, each variation usually has its own ASIN. This allows Amazon to track inventory, pricing, and catalog pages for each distinct listing, even when the products are closely related.

ASINs versus other identifiers: While ASINs identify items within Amazon, broader global identifiers such as GTINs, UPCs, EANs, and ISBNs exist independently of Amazon. For many books, the ASIN corresponds to the ISBN-10, but the two identifiers are not guaranteed to be interchangeable. Amazon may map or assign an ASIN to a product based on its own cataloging rules, which can differ from external standard codes.

Finding and using ASINs: An ASIN typically appears in a product’s URL (for example, https://www.amazon.com/dp/ASIN) and on the product page under Product Information or Details. The Amazon Product Advertising API uses ASINs to retrieve data about items for affiliates and developers.

Limitations and scope: ASINs are marketplace-specific identifiers and can vary between Amazon regions. A product sold on amazon.com may have a different ASIN than the same product listed on amazon.co.uk. ASINs are primarily used within Amazon’s ecosystem for cataloging, search, and API access.