How to Remove Child ASIN from Parent Variation on Amazon
Keren Dinkin, Copywriter
7 min read -
Updated:Do you sell on Amazon?
A variation listing could be your trump card to success.
It can enhance product visibility and improve sales conversions even in an overcrowded marketplace. The only caveat is that you have to play by the rulebook. That includes knowing how to remove the child ASIN from parent variation when needed.
Let’s find out more in today’s article.
Understanding Variation Product Listings on Amazon
Also known as parent-child relationships, these are product listings where all variations of one product are grouped together. When a customer clicks on the parent listing, they can see all the variations of the product on sale. The core function of the products in a variation listing has to be the same but must vary in terms of color, size, bundles, and other parameters.
For example, if you have a listing for crewneck cotton t-shirts for men, a variation listing will have all the color and size options available for the product. But, you cannot make a variation listing for a crewneck cotton t-shirt and a polo t-shirt, even though both come under fashion and apparel.
Every variation listing comprises:
1. Parent Listing
This is the placeholder product listing that appears in Amazon search results. It is non-buyable. When customers click on it, they are redirected to the page that contains all the “child” variations of the products.
The ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) of the parent listing is different from the ASINs of the child variations. Each child variation has its unique ASIN, too.
2. Child ASINs
Child ASINs refer to the variations of the product featured in the parent listing. Each child ASIN must have at least one differing attribute or more, depending on the variation theme.
3. Variation Theme
Variation theme defines the principle attribute that differentiates each child ASIN. You can pick a variation theme based on the category of the product you’re selling and can opt for more than one differing attribute for your variation listing. The child products can be differentiated by:
- Size
- Color
- Quantity
- Design or Pattern
- Flavor, etc.
You can create a variation listing by accessing your Seller Central account. Amazon even provides additional support via its Variation Wizard. Variation Wizard can guide you with complex parent-child relationships, help create bulk variation listings from a pre-filled inventory, and alter the existing ones.
Benefits of Variation Listings
The most significant benefit of a variation listing is its capacity to boost conversion rates because variety enhances purchase probability. Customers can browse all the options in just one listing, compare them, and purchase a variety of their choice.
While a variation listing simplifies the customer’s shopping experience, it also simplifies inventory management for you. You don’t need to take the hassle of creating standalone listings for every product in your inventory.
You can also add low-performing or newly-added variations of products that are fundamentally the same to a parent listing to boost visibility. The increased visibility can improve the organic ranking of your parent listing irrespective of which child variation has sold.
Then, there’s the perk of aggregated reviews for social proof. A parent listing shows reviews you have received for all the child ASINs. So, a good review for one variation works in favor of other child ASINs that don’t have reviews.
The aggregation of reviews and ratings gives a variation listing a competitive edge as far as social proof is concerned. Every seller worth their salt knows how important reviews are for convincing prospective customers to make a purchase decision.
When to Remove Child ASIN from Parent Variation on Amazon
As helpful as a variation listing is, you may need to remove a child product ASIN from it under the following conditions:
- If the Product is Out of Stock: When a child ASIN is permanently out of stock, you must remove it from the parent variation listing to avoid misleading your client. You don’t want them to feel disappointed or discontent — it could cost your business the client. Unavailable variations can also lead to ghost orders and negatively impact your product ranking.
- If You Have Discontinued the Product: You need to remove all discontinued child ASINs from a parent variation listing to avoid similar complications. Keeping unavailable products can negatively affect your brand and its visibility.
- If You Have Changed the Product: If you have made any fundamental changes to a child ASIN, you need to remove it from the product listing. Fundamental changes could include design upgrades, ingredient changes, material changes, and more. Such changes influence the variation theme and disqualify the product from being in a variation listing.
- If There is a Compliance Mismatch: Amazon is strict when it comes to compliance and can permanently suspend your account if you don’t abide by its rules. When a child ASIN fails to meet the compliance needs of the e-commerce platform, you should promptly remove it from the parent listing. Otherwise, you risk the removal of the variation listing, affecting sales conversions of all the other child ASINs.
The repercussions of a potential parent-child variation abuse are severe. You must take quick action to resolve any discrepancy if you receive a warning from Amazon.
Even if none of these circumstances apply to you, you may still need to learn how to remove a child ASIN from parent variation to handle exigencies. That’s why you must know the correct way to remove a child ASIN from a parent variation listing.
How to Remove a Child ASIN from a Parent Variation Listing
The simplest and most compliant method of removing a child ASIN from a parent listing is to delete the variation. Once deleted, you can use the Variation Wizard to create a fresh parent product listing with child ASINs of your choice.
Alternatively, you can use the Variation Wizard to update an existing parent listing.
- Log in to your Seller Central account.
- In the “Inventory” tab, go to “Manage Inventory” from the drop-down menu.
3. Find the parent listing you wish to update and click the “Edit” button to the right. You need to edit the parent listing to make changes to any child ASIN.
4. In your chosen listing, click on the “Variations” tab. There, you will be able to spot the parent and child ASINs under the “Parentage” column.
5. Scroll down to select the child ASIN(s) you want to remove and select it. Now click on “Delete Selected.”
- Once done, click on “Save & Finish” to ensure the changes reflect on the front end.
Remember that the child ASIN will be removed not only from the parent listing but also from your inventory. If you still want to create a standalone product listing for the same child ASIN, you need to add it afresh to your inventory.
Child ASINs can also be edited to incorporate updates. Consider that if there is no pressing need to remove the child ASIN. Follow the same steps, but instead of “Delete Selected,” just change the particulars of the child ASIN and save the change.
Your Seller Central account has everything you need to remove a child ASIN from parent variation on Amazon. Make use of it.
How to Remove a Child ASIN from a Parent Listing Without Deleting the ASIN
However, if you want to remove a child ASIN from a parent listing without deleting it from your inventory, you need to use the Template feature in Seller Central. Here’s a breakdown of the steps that you can follow:
- Log in to your Seller Central account
- Go to the “Inventory” tab and select “Add a Product via Upload.”
3. Click on the “Get Product Template” in the “Update product details” section.
4. Click on the ‘product template’ link.
5. Input your category/product keyword and hit the ‘Search’ button.
6. Click ‘Generate Spreadsheet’.
7. Go to the “Choose a File Template” in the pop-up window and click on “Template for Specific Categories.”
8. Choose the category for which you want to remove the child ASIN. Fill in all the necessary details for the parent and child ASINs. This includes the child ASIN you want to remove.
9. Keep the “Variations” field blank for the ASIN you want to remove.
10. In the “Update Delete” dropdown, click on “Update.” This will remove the ASIN from the parent listing, but it will remain in your inventory.
11. Go to the ‘Upload your spreadsheet’ tab, upload the spreadsheet, and click ‘Submit products’.
You can also consider outsourcing this process to an agency that specializes in variation listings if it’s too complicated for you.
Things to Consider Before Selling on Marketplaces, such as UK
Amazon has been experimenting with a centralized system of supervision for seller activity across its global marketplaces. Under this stringent approach, any rule break in the UK can affect your operations in other marketplaces, too. You need to abide by Amazon’s Seller Code of Conduct, which heavily focuses on the accuracy of product information.
When you are creating a variation listing, make sure you add information that’s accurate and up-to-date. All the details of the parent and child ASINs must be filled. You should not try any black hat techniques for adding or removing child ASINs.
Failing to meet Amazon’s Code of Conduct can have severe implications for your business across all marketplaces.
If you use variation listings with caution, your business will be successful even though the competition is stiff.
