Connect a GS1 product identity to its digital world
GS1 Digital Link makes identifiers such as the GTIN usable in web addresses, connecting products to information and services through QR Codes or NFC Tags.
GS1 Digital Link is a GS1 standard for expressing identifiers in a web link. A product's GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) can become the standardized reference used to access related digital information. The link can be carried by a QR Code or a compatible NFC Tag attached to the product.
The identifier describes what the product is; the linked resources provide information and services about it. The available experience depends on how those resources and redirects are configured.
How does a GS1 Digital Link work?
- A GS1 identifier, such as a GTIN, is represented in a GS1 Digital Link URI.
- The URI is encoded in a QR Code or NFC Tag associated with the product.
- A person scans the code or taps the Tag to open the link.
- The configured online service provides access to relevant information or directs the user to a resource.
The code or Tag is the entry point. The GS1 identifier remains the standardized reference to the product, while the online information can be updated without changing the printed code or encoded link, provided the destination is managed accordingly.
What information can it connect to?
Product details
Descriptions, specifications, ingredients, and instructions.
Traceability
Information about origin, production, batches, or supply-chain processes.
Services
Warranty, support, maintenance, or product registration.
Digital experiences
Sustainability information, verification services, campaigns, or multimedia.
These are examples of possible resources. A GS1 Digital Link does not create or verify this content automatically; the organization must provide and manage the relevant services.
QR Code or NFC Tag?
| Carrier | How a person accesses the link |
|---|---|
| QR Code | Scans the code using a smartphone camera or compatible reader. |
| NFC Tag | Taps or brings an NFC-enabled device close to the Tag. |
Both can carry a GS1 Digital Link URI. The choice of carrier affects how people interact with the product, while the GS1 identifier supplies the standardized product reference.
One identity, multiple services
A product identifier can lead to more than one kind of online resource. For example, a consumer may need product instructions, while a business system may request traceability information. A resolver or another configured service can associate the identifier with different resources and direct requests accordingly.
GS1 Digital Link uses recognized GS1 identifiers as the common reference between a physical product and its online information, supporting connections across different systems and stages of the product lifecycle.
To manage where a Tag leads in TagLink, see Destinations. For the standard itself, consult GS1 Digital Link.