Introduction
How Long Can Amazon Backend Keywords Length Be If you’re selling on Amazon, you’ve likely heard about the importance of optimizing your product listing. But did you know that there’s a hidden element that can significantly impact your product’s visibility? Enter Amazon backend keywords a powerful yet often underutilized feature that helps improve search rankings.
Backend keywords are critical because they allow you to target additional search terms that shoppers might use when looking for your product. These terms won’t appear on your product page, but they tell Amazon’s algorithm exactly what your product is about, helping it appear in more search results.
One of the most frequent questions sellers ask is: “How long can Amazon backend keywords be?” In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about backend keyword limits, best practices, tips, common mistakes, and how to ensure you use these keywords to their full potential.
What Are Amazon Backend Keywords?
Amazon backend keywords are hidden search terms you can add in your Amazon Seller Central account. They are not visible to shoppers but are crucial for your product’s visibility in Amazon’s search engine (known as A9).
These keywords work behind the scenes to help your product appear for search queries that are relevant but not directly included in your product title, bullet points, or description. Essentially, they’re your secret weapon for capturing additional traffic and improving sales.
Why Are Backend Keywords Important?
- Expand Reach: Backend keywords allow you to rank for terms you didn’t include in your visible product listing.
- Capture Synonyms and Variations: For example, if your product is a “sofa,” you can use backend keywords like “couch,” “loveseat,” or “furniture.”
- Target Common Misspellings: Shoppers often make typos, and backend keywords let you target those misspellings without cluttering your listing.
- Enhance Discoverability: The more relevant search terms your product ranks for, the more likely it is to get clicks and sales.
Now that you understand why backend keywords are so important, let’s address the main question: how long can these keywords be?
Amazon Backend Keywords Length Limit
Amazon currently allows a total of 249 bytes for backend keywords. This limit applies to each product listing, so you must carefully select which keywords to include. If your backend keywords exceed this limit, Amazon will ignore the excess text, which means those additional keywords won’t be indexed or help your product rank.
What Exactly Are Bytes?
A byte is a unit of digital information. When it comes to backend keywords, each character (letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks) counts as 1 byte. However, special characters or non-English letters (e.g., “ü,” “é”) may take up more than 1 byte.
Here’s a breakdown to help you better understand:
- A-Z (letters) = 1 byte each
- 0-9 (numbers) = 1 byte each
- Spaces and punctuation (e.g., “,” or “.”) = 1 byte each
- Special characters (e.g., “ñ,” “ö”) = 2 bytes each
For example:
- “Bluetooth speaker” = 18 bytes (16 letters + 1 space).
- “Élite audio system” = 19 bytes (14 letters + 2 spaces + 3 special characters).
Tips to Stay Within the 249-Byte Limit
- Avoid Repeating Words: Repeated words take up space unnecessarily. Amazon’s algorithm doesn’t require keyword repetition.
- Use Concise Phrases: Stick to short, impactful keywords without filler words.
- Leave Out Irrelevant Words: Remove stop words like “and,” “with,” “a,” and “the,” as Amazon ignores them during indexing.
Best Practices for Using Amazon Backend Keywords
To make the most of your backend keywords, you need to use them strategically. Below are some proven tips to help you optimize your keywords effectively:
Prioritize Relevance
Always prioritize keywords that are most relevant to your product. Irrelevant keywords may increase impressions but will hurt your click-through rate (CTR) and conversion rate, ultimately lowering your ranking.
Think Like a Customer
Put yourself in the shoes of your potential customers. What terms would they type into the search bar to find your product? Include those in your backend keywords.
Include Synonyms and Alternate Terms
For example, if you’re selling “backpacks,” include synonyms like “rucksacks,” “school bags,” or “travel packs” in your backend keywords.
Use Plural and Singular Forms
Amazon treats “chair” and “chairs” as two separate search terms. Include both forms where applicable.
Add Common Misspellings
Many shoppers make spelling mistakes when typing their searches. If your product is a “microwave oven,” include common typos like “micorwave” or “microwve” in your backend keywords.
Avoid Trademarked and Brand Names
Using competitors’ brand names or trademarks in your backend keywords violates Amazon’s policies and can lead to penalties, including listing suspension.
How to Check Your Amazon Backend Keywords Length
Ensuring your keywords fit within Amazon’s 249-byte limit is crucial. Here’s how you can check:
Manual Method
- Write your keywords in a text editor (e.g., Notepad or Microsoft Word).
- Use the “Character Count” feature to calculate the total characters, including spaces.
- If you’re using non-English characters, use an online byte counter to calculate the byte size.
Online Byte Counters
Several tools are available online to measure the byte size of your keywords. Simply paste your keywords into the tool, and it will give you the byte count.
Amazon’s Built-In Alert
When you enter backend keywords in Amazon Seller Central, the system will warn you if you exceed the byte limit. However, it’s always a good idea to check beforehand to avoid wasting time.
Examples of Optimized Backend Keywords
Here are examples of poorly optimized and well-optimized backend keywords:
Product: Wireless Earbuds
Bad Example (Poorly Optimized):
- “Wireless earbuds, wireless earbuds for music, wireless Bluetooth earbuds.”
- Issue: Repetitive keywords waste space and fail to target diverse search terms.
Good Example (Well-Optimized):
- “Bluetooth headphones, true wireless, in-ear buds, sports earphones, noise-canceling earbuds, travel headphones.”
- Why It Works: Targets multiple search terms, avoids repetition, and uses synonyms effectively.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Exceeding the Limit: Double-check your byte size to avoid exceeding 249 bytes.
- Keyword Stuffing: Don’t cram too many unrelated keywords. Focus on quality over quantity.
- Using Prohibited Terms: Avoid competitor brand names or restricted keywords.
- Ignoring Tools: Use keyword research tools to find the most relevant and high-ranking search terms for your product.
Tools to Optimize Backend Keywords
Here are some tools that can help you find and optimize your backend keywords:
Helium 10
Offers robust keyword research features, including suggestions for backend keywords and insights into search volume.
Jungle Scout
A popular tool that provides keyword analytics, competitor insights, and listing optimization features.
AMZ Suggestion Expander
This free Chrome extension shows additional keyword suggestions while typing in the Amazon search bar.
Google Keyword Planner
Though designed for Google, it can provide valuable insights into related search terms for your product.
Conclusion
Amazon backend keywords are a vital component of listing optimization. By targeting the right keywords and staying within the 249-byte limit, you can significantly improve your product’s visibility and ranking. Remember, the goal is to use relevant, concise, and diverse keywords that align with how customers search for your product.
By following the best practices and using tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout, you can ensure your backend keywords are fully optimized for success. And most importantly, don’t forget to monitor your keyword performance regularly to adjust your strategy and stay ahead of the competition.
With a solid backend keyword strategy, you’ll not only increase your visibility on Amazon but also boost your sales and grow your business.
FAQs
1. What is the backend keyword limit on Amazon?
Amazon allows a total of 249 bytes for backend keywords per product listing.
2. What happens if I exceed the backend keyword limit?
Amazon will ignore any keywords beyond the 249-byte limit, so they won’t be indexed.
3. Can I repeat keywords in backend search terms?
No, repeating keywords is unnecessary and wastes valuable space.
4. What tools can I use to optimize backend keywords?
Popular tools include Helium 10, Jungle Scout, and Google Keyword Planner.
5. Can I include misspellings in backend keywords?
Yes, misspellings are a great way to capture additional traffic from shoppers who make typos.
