Overview

Amazon returns error code 90098 when a seller tries to create or modify a parent‑child listing that does not meet the platform’s minimum variant count for a given attribute. The validation runs at the moment the feed, API call, or manual entry is processed, and it blocks the submission until the required number of child options is added. Sellers who rely on variations for size, color, style, or similar attributes must understand the rule to keep bulk uploads and product launches on schedule.

Key Points

• Minimum child count enforced — Amazon mandates that a variation attribute such as “size” or “color” contain at least the category‑specific number of distinct child SKUs before the family can be saved; for many apparel categories the floor is two size options.
• Error points to the exact attribute — The message includes the name of the offending attribute and the required minimum, allowing sellers to identify whether “color” or “material” is the problem.
• Applies to flat‑file, UI, and SP‑API submissions — Whether you upload a spreadsheet, use the “Add a Product” wizard, or push data through the Selling Partner API, the same validation rule triggers error 90098.
• Parent ASINs are the usual source — The check runs when a parent record is submitted with fewer child records than the threshold, not when individual child listings are edited in isolation.
• Category‑specific thresholds vary — A toy category may require three style options, while a home‑goods category might only need a single option; the rule is not uniform across the marketplace.
• Not a policy violation — The error stops the listing from being accepted but does not affect account health or trigger penalties.

How Error 90098 Works

1. Submission intake — Amazon receives a feed line, API payload, or UI entry that defines a parent ASIN together with its variation theme (e.g., “size‑color”).
2. Attribute validation — The catalog engine examines each attribute listed in the variation theme and counts the unique child values supplied. If the “size” attribute only appears once while the category requires at least two sizes, the engine flags the shortfall.