ASIN and EAN are the codes that identify every product on Amazon and beyond: understanding them helps you compare prices across marketplaces and find true bargains.
Navigating Amazon's offers can feel like a maze: same product, different prices, different marketplaces. The key to keeping your bearings are two codes: ASIN and EAN. Understanding what ASIN and EAN mean on Amazon gives you a superpower: you can compare the same item across all six Glitchoo stores (UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, USA) and spot price differences or genuine errors. In this practical glossary, we'll cover what they are, where to find them, and how to use them to become a savvier deal hunter.
What Does ASIN Mean on Amazon?
ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. Think of it as the product's identity card on Amazon: it's a unique alphanumeric code (usually 10 characters) that Amazon assigns to each variant. Every colour, size, or model gets its own ASIN. If you look for a specific appliance on Amazon UK and the exact same model on Amazon Germany, the ASIN will almost certainly be different, even though the physical product is identical. Why? Because the ASIN is tied to Amazon's local catalogue.
How to Find the ASIN of a Product
It's easy: on the product page, scroll down to the "Product Details" section. Alternatively, look at the URL: after /dp/ you'll find the ASIN. For example, in amazon.co.uk/dp/B0ABCDEFGH, the B0ABCDEFGH part is the ASIN. You'll also find it in the technical specs, and on Glitchoo, every offer displays the code in its card.
Why Is ASIN Important for Deal Hunters?
At Glitchoo, we monitor over 35,000 products in real time. The ASIN lets us track the exact variant on one store and compare its 90-day price history. If you see a strikethrough price that looks like a 60% discount, our Trust Score uses the ASIN to check whether that discount is real against the history. If a product has multiple ASINs (for instance, different colours), the discount can vary: keep an eye on all ASINs of a model so you don't miss the best glitch.
What Does EAN Mean and How Is It Different from ASIN?
EAN (European Article Number, now often GTIN or ISBN for books) is a universal 13-digit code that identifies the physical product globally. Unlike ASIN, the EAN is the same across all marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, physical stores. If you buy a pair of headphones with EAN 1234567890123, you'll find the same EAN on Amazon Germany and Amazon USA, even though the ASINs differ.
EAN vs ASIN: Comparison Table
| Feature | ASIN | EAN |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's used | Amazon only | Universal (all marketplaces) |
| Format | 10 alphanumeric characters | 13 digits (or 12 UPC, 13 EAN) |
| Uniqueness | Unique per variant and store | Same product has same EAN everywhere |
| Use for glitch hunting | Compare history on one store | Compare prices across stores |
Where to Find the EAN on Amazon
Scroll the product page to "Product Details": it's often listed as "EAN" or "ISBN". If it doesn't appear, check the barcode on the product's packaging (if you have it physically). On Glitchoo, we include the EAN in offer cards when available, so you can copy it and paste it into other stores.
Using Codes to Spot Price Errors
Here's the key point: the combination of ASIN and EAN gives you surgical precision. Imagine you find a pair of Bluetooth headphones on Amazon Italy at €19.99 with a 70% discount. The ASIN is B0CXXXXX1. You copy the EAN from the page (e.g. 1234567890123) and paste it into Amazon Germany: the same model is priced at €59.99. Is the Italian discount a glitch? The price history on Glitchoo shows the average price was €49.99, so the 70% is real. But if on Germany the price is €14.99, the discount might be inflated.
Remember, prices change constantly: always check the Amazon product page before buying. Glitchoo does the heavy lifting for you: our database analyses 35,630 products and right now we have 752 active price errors, with an average discount of 66.8% compared to 29.4% for normal promotions. Use the ASIN to see the history, the EAN to compare across stores.
Practical Steps for the Deal Hunter
- Find the offer on Glitchoo (e.g. the cards below).
- Copy the ASIN from the offer card.
- Paste the ASIN into Amazon's search bar on the same store to see the details.
- Find the EAN on the product page or on Glitchoo.
- Paste the EAN into other Glitchoo stores to compare prices.
Don't wait: glitches last hours, not days. Discover the verified deals now and snag your bargain.
Real Examples from Today
To give you an idea, today we're featuring:
- Bluetooth 5.4 headphones (UK): 85% off on Amazon UK. The ASIN is specific to each colour (white and black): check both because one colour might be in glitch while the other isn't.
- Tommy Hilfiger Chino trousers (Spain): -83% on clothing. The model's EAN is the same on Amazon DE and FR; compare it to see if the Spanish price is truly the lowest.
These offers are in the section below: click on the cards to go directly to the product page and verify for yourself with the Glitchoo tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASIN the same across all Amazon countries?
No, the ASIN is specific to each marketplace. The same physical product has a different ASIN on Amazon UK and Amazon Germany. The EAN, however, is global.
How do I find a product's EAN if it's not on the page?
Try looking for the barcode on the packaging, or use third-party sites like GTIN databases. On Glitchoo, we publish the EAN when available.
Can I use the ASIN to find a product on eBay?
No, the ASIN is only for Amazon. Use the EAN or the manufacturer's product code on other marketplaces.
Does Amazon always honour price errors?
No. Amazon may cancel the order if the mistake is obvious (e.g. £1 for a TV). Glitchoo does not encourage techniques to force honouring – we simply explain how to recognise a glitch. Please refer to Amazon's terms and conditions.
How does Glitchoo use ASIN and EAN for the Trust Score?
The Trust Score compares the current price with the 90-day history of the same ASIN (same store). If the discount is real, the score is high. The EAN is used for cross-store comparisons but does not affect the score.
Conclusion
Now that you know what ASIN and EAN mean on Amazon, you have the tools to avoid being fooled by inflated discounts and to find real price errors. Next time you see an offer, use these codes to verify: don't trust the crossed-out price alone, check the history. Glitchoo already does it all for you, but understanding the mechanism makes you a more informed buyer.
Don't waste time: real bargains don't wait. Take a look at the featured offers below and start hunting with our tools. And if you want to understand how it all works, read the how it works page.
Glitchoo is an Amazon UK affiliate: if you buy through our links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.