How to Fix Error 97779: Generic Keyword Character Limit Exceeded
Error 97779 occurs when the generic keyword field exceeds Amazon's 200‑byte limit; a processing report may show "Allowed: 200 bytes, Used: 237 bytes". Trimming low‑value terms, replacing multi‑byte characters and standardizing spacing can bring a 250‑byte string down to 195 bytes and clear the error.
Overview
Amazon sellers encounter Error 97779 when the backend (generic) keyword field in a product feed exceeds the platform’s 200‑byte limit. The error blocks the creation or update of listings, which can stall product launches and promotional campaigns. Fixing the issue promptly restores feed processing and keeps listings searchable.
Key Points
- 200‑byte ceiling — Amazon caps generic keyword fields at 200 bytes; any submission beyond this triggers Error 97779.
- Bytes ≠ characters — Characters such as “é”, “ß”, or Chinese glyphs occupy multiple bytes, so a 150‑character string can still breach the limit.
- Spacing inflates count — Missing spaces between terms (e.g., “redshirtbluejeans”) adds extra bytes because Amazon treats the whole string as one token.
- Feed report flags the error — The processing summary report lists the exact byte allowance for the category and highlights the offending field.
- Redundant terms waste bytes — Repeating words already present in the title, bullets, or description consumes valuable byte space without improving discoverability.
How to Fix Error 97779
- Locate the feed processing summary — Open the “Feed Results” page in Seller Central, download the processing report, and find the row that reads “Generic Keywords – Byte Limit Exceeded.” For example, a report for a kitchen gadget may show “Allowed: 200 bytes, Used: 237 bytes.”
- Calculate current byte usage — Use a text‑editor or an online byte‑counter to paste the entire keyword string. The tool will display the byte total; in our example, “stainless steel kitchen knife set” registers 34 bytes, while “stainless steel kitchen knife set” (with extra spaces) jumps to 38 bytes.
- Trim low‑value terms — Start by deleting duplicate words, brand names, and overly broad phrases. If the original string contains “knife set, knife set, best knife set, cheap knives,” remove the repeats and the subjective adjectives, leaving only “knife set.”
- Replace multi‑byte characters — Substitute accented or non‑Latin characters with their unaccented equivalents. Change “café” to “cafe” (2 bytes → 4 bytes becomes 4 bytes → 4 bytes, but the accent is removed, saving a byte).
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
When the 200‑byte ceiling is breached, Amazon rejects the feed, halting new listings and potentially delaying launches by days—as seen when a three‑day launch was postponed. An audit of 1,200 SKUs flagged 37 entries over the limit, showing the widespread impact on visibility and sales.
Key Takeaways
- Generic keyword fields are capped at 200 bytes; exceeding triggers Error 97779.
- Byte count differs from character count; accented characters and Chinese glyphs consume multiple bytes.
- A typical error report shows "Allowed: 200 bytes, Used: 237 bytes" and can be reduced to ≤200 bytes by trimming.
- In a sample audit, 37 of 1,200 SKUs exceeded the limit, risking launch delays of up to three days.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, open Feed Results > download the processing report, locate the row "Generic Keywords – Byte Limit Exceeded" and note the Used by...
- →Copy the keyword string into a text editor or online byte‑counter, remove duplicate or low‑value terms, replace accented characters (e.g., "café" →...
- →Export an inventory CSV, run a script to flag any generic keyword column >200 bytes, edit those rows, then re‑upload the corrected file via Add Pro...
Comments
Join the discussion
Log in or create an account to share your thoughts on this update.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!