Overview

Listing error 90179 appears when Amazon’s catalog validation rejects a field that is not permitted for the chosen product type or the specific contribution action (create, update, or offer). The error surfaces during flat‑file uploads, bulk edits, or API submissions, and it halts the affected listing until the offending attribute is removed. Sellers must understand why the attribute is disallowed and how to correct the feed to keep inventory flowing.

Key Points

• Root cause — The system flags any attribute that does not belong to the allowed set for the targeted product type or contribution type.
• Exact attribute identified — The error message includes the name of the prohibited field (e.g., “BatteryLife”), pointing directly to the data element that must be removed or corrected.
• Category‑specific rules — Each Amazon category defines its own mandatory, optional, and prohibited attributes; an attribute valid for “Electronics” may be forbidden for “Apparel.”
• Contribution type matters — Creating a new ASIN, updating an existing one, and adding an offer each have distinct attribute lists; the same field can be acceptable in one context but invalid in another.
• Common trigger — Reusing a flat‑file template from a different category without pruning irrelevant columns frequently generates error 90179.
• No health penalty — The error does not affect account health metrics, but it blocks the listing from becoming active until resolved.

How Error 90179 Is Detected and Resolved

1. Submission validation — When a seller uploads a flat file, runs a bulk edit, or sends a request through the SP‑API, Amazon runs the data against a rule set tied to the product type and contribution type. Example: A seller submits a clothing template that still contains the “BatteryLife” column.
2. Error flagging — The validation engine finds a mismatch and returns error 90179, embedding the offending attribute name in the response. Example: The response reads “Error 90179 – Invalid attribute: BatteryLife.”