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When you upgrade your product to a newer version of your original product, you are required to create a new ASIN, with a new UPC, per the Product Detail Page Rules policy. I know how frustrating it can be when you lose your reviews and have to start over building new ones. Well, do I have great news for you!
Did you know that you can add a 'Newer Version' widget to your original ASIN via the Newer Version tool? This will help drive customers to your newer product and show them that you have an improved product and give them the option of purchasing your upgraded product.
When you add a newer version widget, the detail page will display ‘There is a newer model of this item’, generally below the bullet points on the listing.
Let's take a deeper look to see if your ASIN's are eligible to have a newer version added.
1. Are they truly an upgraded product: They should be newer versions of your old product, such as your item is a set of earbuds, they look identical to your original ASIN, however, they have improved sound and are now waterproof.
2. Alternate packaging of the same product does not constitute a newer version, for example a frustration free ASIN is not a newer version of the original ASIN.
3. Will have the same manufacturer/brand: e.g. an iPod Touch is not a "newer" version of a Sansa MP3 player, it is also not a newer version of an iPod Nano
4. Do NOT mix brands, as this can lead to legitimate mixed-brand relationships and customer confusion and dissatisfaction.
5. They must be unique for each old ASIN They should not cause one-to-many relationships or conflicts where two items are each declared to be newer versions of each other.
6. Not for upselling - if both A and B are still shown as available on the manufacturer's website (without any note about one being an older version) then they should not be related together in a relationship
7. Match on size/color/quantity - the old and new should match on all variated dimensions (eg: color, size, count etc).
- If the old and new are the same but differ in color/pattern, then a newer version relationship is not correct. This should be put into a variation if the category allows.
- If a newer version relationship is indeed correct but a variation relationship is already set up, then please remove the variation relationship.
8. Do not include substitutes, step-up models, deluxe, enhanced or special editions or bundles as a newer version (these should be handled by creating a variation if your category allows).
9. Avoid confusing the customers experience that could reflect negatively on Amazon: The newer version widget should not expose customers to conflicting/contradicting information.
10. Products have first available dates shown on the detail pages. The new ASIN should not have a first available date prior to the old ASIN. Both ASINs also should not have similar dates (released in the same month, or only 1-3 months apart). Although in such case a newer version relationship between A and B could be correct, because customers can see the dates, to have the newer version relationship set up would reflect negatively on Amazon.
Before creating a new version, please note:
1. A newer version is different from twisted variations It is factually not possible for a product B to be a variant of product A and a newer version of A and will fail if you try to put them in a newer version.
2. Newer Versions have meaning globally, where both the older and newer ASINs exist in a marketplaces it will be shared worldwide and as such will not be marketplace-specific and should be valid in all marketplaces
3. Do not use these relationships to link import products to the domestic product in your marketplace as these may be shared into other marketplaces where the relationship will be incorrect.
Once you have confirmed that your items fully qualify, you will open the Newer Version tool.
First, you select if you are trying to add the newer version or remove it.
Next, you enter in both ASIN's in the relevant boxes, the top one being the original ASIN.
If your items qualify, the newer version will display on your original ASIN.
Please note that it is a policy violation to create incorrect variations.
Resources: Newer Version tool
I hope you find this helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions!
Until next time,
Michelle
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