Amazon Error: 90117 Description Exceeds Character Limit

The "Description Exceeds Character Limit" error occurs when the product description provided by a seller exceeds the maximum allowed character limit set by Amazon for a product listing.
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Description Exceeds Character Limit

Error Description

The "Description Exceeds Character Limit" error on Amazon signifies that the product description provided for a listing is too lengthy and surpasses the maximum character limit specified by Amazon’s guidelines. Amazon imposes character limits on product descriptions to ensure clarity, consistency, and readability across its platform. Exceeding these limits can prevent the listing from being successfully created or updated, impacting the product’s visibility and searchability.

Common Causes of Description Exceeds Character Limit Error:

  1. Overly Detailed Descriptions: Including excessive details that could be better placed in bullet points or other sections.
  2. Redundant Information: Repeating information already covered in other parts of the listing, such as bullet points or titles.
  3. Unnecessary Keywords: Keyword stuffing in an attempt to improve search ranking, which makes the description excessively long.
  4. Verbose Language: Using overly descriptive or verbose language instead of concise and clear wording.
  5. Inclusion of Non-Essential Information: Adding information that is not directly relevant to the product’s key features or benefits.

Error Solution

To resolve the "Description Exceeds Character Limit" error, follow these steps:

  1. Review Amazon’s Character Limits:
    • Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s character limit guidelines for product descriptions. Typically, Amazon allows up to 2000 characters for product descriptions, but this can vary by category.
  2. Analyze the Current Description:
    • Review the current product description to identify areas where it can be trimmed or simplified. Focus on removing redundant or non-essential information.
  3. Prioritize Key Information:
    • Ensure that the most important details about the product are included at the beginning of the description. Highlight key features, benefits, and uses concisely.
  4. Use Bullet Points:
    • Transfer detailed specifications and features to bullet points, which are also important for SEO and user readability. This helps keep the description concise while providing necessary information.
  5. Eliminate Redundant Content:
    • Remove any repetitive information that has already been covered in the title, bullet points, or other sections of the listing. Avoid restating the same points multiple times.
  6. Optimize Language:
    • Use clear and concise language. Avoid unnecessary adjectives, adverbs, and verbose phrases. Focus on straightforward and impactful wording.
  7. Avoid Keyword Stuffing:
    • Ensure the description is naturally written and not overfilled with keywords. Use relevant keywords sparingly and appropriately.
  8. Use Enhanced Brand Content (EBC) or A+ Content:
    • If eligible, use Enhanced Brand Content (EBC) or A+ Content to provide additional product details and visuals. This allows you to offer more information without exceeding character limits in the main description.
  9. Check and Revise:
    • After editing, check the character count to ensure it is within the allowed limit. Revise further if necessary to meet the guidelines.
  10. Utilize Amazon’s Tools:
    • Use Amazon’s Listing Quality Dashboard and other tools to ensure the description complies with Amazon’s standards and character limits.

Pro Tip

Optimizing Product Descriptions to Prevent Character Limit Errors:

  1. Develop Concise Templates:
    • Create standardized templates for product descriptions that focus on clarity and brevity. Use these templates to ensure consistency and compliance with character limits across all listings.
  2. Utilize Professional Copywriting:
    • Consider hiring professional copywriters who specialize in e-commerce product descriptions. They can craft compelling and concise descriptions that meet Amazon’s guidelines.
  3. Regularly Review and Update Descriptions:
    • Periodically review and update product descriptions to ensure they remain relevant, accurate, and within the character limits. This helps maintain high-quality listings over time.
  4. Leverage Feedback for Improvement:
    • Use customer feedback and reviews to identify the most critical information that customers need. Incorporate this feedback to refine and focus your descriptions.
  5. Use Data Analysis:
    • Analyze data on customer interactions and conversions to understand which description elements are most effective. Optimize descriptions based on these insights to enhance readability and impact.
  6. Engage with Seller Communities:
    • Participate in Amazon seller forums and communities to stay informed about best practices and common issues related to product descriptions. Engaging with other sellers provides valuable insights and solutions.
  7. Focus on Key Features:
    • Highlight the product’s unique selling points and key features. Avoid including unnecessary background information or overly detailed explanations that can be covered elsewhere.
  8. Optimize for Mobile View:
    • Ensure that your descriptions are optimized for mobile devices. Concise and clear descriptions enhance the shopping experience for mobile users.
  9. Implement a Quality Control Process:
    • Establish a quality control process to review and approve product descriptions before submission. This helps catch and correct any issues related to character limits and readability.
  10. Use Visual Aids:
    • Where possible, use images, infographics, and videos to convey detailed information that might otherwise make the text too long. Visual aids can enhance understanding without adding to the character count.

By following these strategies and maintaining concise, informative product descriptions, sellers can avoid the "Description Exceeds Character Limit" error, ensuring a smooth and efficient listing process on Amazon. Proper management of product descriptions not only helps in compliance but also enhances the overall customer experience and effectiveness of your product listings.

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