Asset linking: definition and role in PIM

In PIM practice, an asset link tells each channel which image, video or document belongs to which product, and in which position. A good link records the asset role, such as main image or safety data sheet, the sort order, the locale and the channels. Files can live in a PIM asset module or a separate DAM.

Illustrative example: a fashion brand links each colour variant to six images. The first image is the white-background packshot for marketplaces, and the webshop uses a lifestyle image first. The PIM sends a different order to each channel.

In a selection, buyers should test inheritance from product model to variant, overrides and channel filters. They should also test locale-specific documents and what happens when a DAM asset changes or expires. GPSR requires a picture identifying the product on online offers, so missing links become compliance gaps.