Manually merge Golden Records using the Central Product Database UI

When Golden Records are not automatically merged, operators can manually merge them using the Central Product Database (CPD). This is helpful when two products represent the same item but don’t share a barcode, or were created independently during seller onboarding.

When to use manual merging

Manual merging is typically used when duplicate Golden Records are identified but not automatically merged. This may happen when barcodes differ or are missing, or when sellers raise concerns about product duplication. It’s also useful if variants or adverts are split across two records that clearly refer to the same real-world product.

How to merge Golden Records manually

1. Log in to the Operator portal.
2. Go to Adverts > Central Product Database in the left nav dashboard.
3. Click Manage Data button in the upper right.
4. Select Merge products.
   
5. In the Merge Golden Product page, search and select two Golden Products to merge.
6. Review the details to see which product will be retained.
7. Click Confirm merge to complete the merge.
   

What happens during a manual merge

The system automatically keeps the product with the most linked variants. If both products have the same number of variants, the older record is retained. All variants and adverts from the deleted product are reassigned to the retained one.

Product details is not combined or reconciled. The retained Golden Record’s details (such as title, description, and attributes) will be kept as-is. No prompts are shown for resolving data differences.

After the merge, the removed Golden Product is deleted from the system. A record of the merge action is captured in the activity log for audit purposes.

Limitations

Only two Golden Records can be merged at a time. The merge is final and cannot be undone. Operators cannot override the default merge logic or select which product to retain.

Best practices

Before merging, make sure the products genuinely represent the same item. Check for similar product names, overlapping sellers, and comparable variant sets. Use the merge preview to verify key details before confirming. If in doubt, confirm with sellers or internal teams before proceeding.