How to Identify and Reclaim a “Ghost” Parent ASIN

Sometimes, a child ASIN may become attached to an old or unexpected parent ASIN.

Overview: 

These “ghost” parents can arise due to vendor central contributions or Amazon’s automatic variation creation. The following steps will help you identify and reintroduce the ghost parent ASIN into your catalog, ensuring proper listing control.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Locate the ASIN in the Current Variation Family 

Identify the specific ASIN that appears to be part of the incorrect parent/child relationship.

2. Use the Variation Wizard 

  • Go to the Variation Wizard in Amazon Seller Central.

  • Enter the ASIN (child or parent) into the search field.

  • Click Search to view the current variation relationship details.

3. Obtain the Parent ASIN 

From the Variation Wizard results, identify the unexpected parent ASIN.

  • Option 1: Download the variation report for a complete view of ASIN relationships.

  • Option 2: Directly copy the parent ASIN displayed in the Variation Wizard.

4. Reintroduce the Parent ASIN into Your Catalog 

Include the “ghost” parent ASIN in a flat file upload for your Amazon catalog.

  • Update or revise details if necessary.

  • Re-upload the flat file to Seller Central to reestablish proper parent-child relationships.

Why Does This Happen?

- Vendor Central Contributions: Previous vendor entries can cause unexpected links and relationships.

- Amazon’s Automatic Variation Creation: Amazon’s system may create or maintain variation families not aligned with your current listings, resulting in “ghost” parent ASINs.

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