The initiative to reduce number of duplicate book listings on Amazon.com is proceeding as planned. Our efforts have ensured that sellers with listings against merged ASINs will continue to be able to monitor and fulfill those listings. Below is material that provides a thorough explanation of the program.

Duplicate ASIN Merge Project – FAQ

Section I – Merge process questions

1.  Why are you doing this during the holiday time
When we reduce the number duplicates in the catalog, customers will be more likely to find, and buy, the item they are seeking. This takes on added importance during the holidays.

2.   Will you merge books that have same title but different binding, edition, etc?
No. We will merge books only when they have the same title, contributors, binding, publisher, publication date, edition and volume.

3.   How does Amazon determine that the page with the most listings is the one that has the correct info, or if there isn't a need for other listings due to differences in dates, formats, editions, etc?
When two ASINs are merged, we use product information from both ASINs. Though only one ASIN will remain, it will contain information that was derived from both ASINs. This is no different from when a Pro Merchant's contribution matches an existing ASIN.  We will always use the additional data to improve our catalog quality.

Section II – Post-merge questions

General

4.   How does this affect customer experience?
Most importantly, the customer will see fewer duplicate items while searching and browsing. As a result, the customer will be more likely to find, and buy, products on Amazon.com. Otherwise, the customer experience should be unchanged. Customers will continue to be able to search for books by title and author. Any links that point to a merged ASIN on Amazon will automatically redirect to the retained ASIN.

5.   Will my listings on ASINs that get merged disappear?
No. Your listings will be automatically moved to the retained ASIN.

6.   Will my SKU or Listing ID be affected?
No. The SKU and Listing ID of your listings previously associated with any merged ASIN will remain unchanged after the merge. The SKU and Listing ID of these listings will now point to the retained ASIN.

7.   Will I need to inspect each listing manually to ensure they are on the correct ASINs post-merge?
No. You do not need to verify your individual listings. Amazon will ensure that your listings are on the correct ASIN post-merge.

8.   How will ASIN merges affect Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers?
FBA sellers will not be impacted by ASIN merges. ASINs with listings that are fulfilled by Amazon will not be merged.

Bulk uploads and reports

9.   How does this affect my bulk uploads? If a listing in an Inventory Loader or Book Loader file refers to the original ASIN after that ASIN has been merged, the listing will now be assigned to the retained ASIN. A warning will be reported in the processing report and the new ASIN will be identified. You should use the new ASIN in subsequent uploads. You will not have to make any other change to your upload files.

10. I use order reports to fulfill my orders. Will anything change for me? No. The order reports will contain the original SKU that you provided and as such you do not need to make any changes to fulfill your orders.

Seller Tools

11. How will the listings views be affected by this change? We will preserve the listing IDs of listings that are moved from the merged ASIN to the retained ASIN. This will ensure that sellers can continue to seamlessly manage their inventory and orders after a merge. Sellers with listings on ASINs that were merged will now see a closed listing (in the closed listings view) on the merged ASIN and an open listing (in the open listings view) on the retained ASIN with the same listing ID.

12. How will my closed listings on the merged ASIN be affected? Closed Listings on a merged ASIN will not be moved to the retained ASIN. Attempts to relist on the merged ASIN will fail. Sellers must create a new listing on the retained ASIN. You may obtain the retained ASIN by searching for the merged ASIN on the Amazon.com website. You will be redirected to the retained ASIN and can relist on that ASIN.

13. I use the Manage Your Orders tool and “Sold Ship Now” e-mails to fulfill my orders. Will anything change for me? No. Both the Order Detail page and “Sold Ship Now” e-mails will have the product title, listing-id, condition type and description that will provide you with relevant information to fulfill the order.

14. How will merging duplicate ASINs affect the determination of responsibility for “materially different” A-to-z Guarantee claims?Since the merged ASIN and the retained ASIN will be materially the same, merging should have no impact on materially different claims.