Amazon Search Terms Character Limit We've Got You Covered!
- Akash Singh
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
Search terms play a critical role in Amazon's search algorithm and directly impact your product’s discoverability. The more effectively you optimize your search terms, the better your chances of improving visibility and driving sales.
However, the character limits Amazon imposes on search terms mean you need to be strategic and precise.
With limited space, every word counts, and finding the right balance between relevant keywords and product-specific terms is key.
In this article, we’ll explore how optimizing your search terms can unlock greater success on Amazon and boost your sales.
What Are Amazon Search Terms?
Amazon search terms are the keywords or phrases shoppers use to find products on the platform. These terms play a vital role in Amazon’s search algorithm, influencing how products rank in search results.
The right search terms help Amazon match your products to relevant customer queries, driving visibility and increasing your chances of making a sale.
In addition to front-end keywords visible to customers, back-end keywords are hidden terms in the backend of your product listing. These backend keywords help improve product ranking without cluttering the main title or description.
Optimizing both frontend and backend keywords is essential to boost product discoverability and reach the right audience on Amazon.
Search Terms vs. Backend Keywords
While they both impact how your product is found, their roles and applications differ significantly.
Let’s break down the key differences between search terms and backend keywords.
Aspect | Search Terms | Backend Keywords |
Definition | The words customers type into Amazon’s search bar to find products. | Hidden keywords are used in the backend of product listings to improve search ranking without appearing in the front-end content. |
Purpose | Directly affect customer search queries and product discoverability. | Focus on ranking optimization, helping products appear in relevant searches behind the scenes. |
Visibility | Visible to customers in product titles, descriptions, and search results. | Not visible to customers but still indexed by Amazon’s algorithm for search relevance. |
Impact on Discoverability | High impact, as they are part of the front-end content and immediately seen by customers. | Indirect impact, as they influence ranking without direct customer interaction. |
Contribution to Algorithm | Directly affects how products are matched to search queries based on relevance. | Helps products rank higher in search results by broadening keyword coverage in the backend. |
Keyword Usage | Keywords must be relevant to customer search intent, often incorporating popular terms. | Allows for additional terms not visible to customers, offering more flexibility in keyword choices. |
Understanding Amazon Search Term Character Limits
Amazon’s search term character limits are crucial when it comes to optimizing your product’s visibility. Initially, Amazon set the backend search term limit at 249 bytes, but they’ve recently expanded this to 500 characters, spread across five fields.
This gives you more room to diversify and refine your keyword strategy, making your listings more relevant to a wider audience.
Character vs. Byte
To better understand the impact of this change, it’s important to distinguish between characters and bytes.
While most English characters count as one byte, characters from other languages or symbols may take up more than one byte.
This can limit the actual space you have for keywords in the backend.
Characters | Bytes |
Most English characters | 1 byte |
Characters with accents or symbols | 2 or more bytes |
Why the Change Matters?
The increased character limit of 500 across five fields allows for more keyword diversity, which directly impacts product discoverability.
With more space to include relevant search terms, your products are more likely to be found by customers who are actively searching for what you offer.
This change also enables a more strategic approach to listing optimization, improving your chances of getting the right customers to see your products.
Optimizing Amazon Search Terms
To truly stand out, your keyword strategy should revolve around both high-relevance and high-search volume keywords. Think of it as a roadmap: you need to balance terms that will match different customer intents.
Broad terms help attract a larger audience. For example, "running shoes" is a broad term that captures people at various stages of their buying journey.
Specific terms (like "women's lightweight running shoes") target customers with more defined needs, leading to higher conversion rates.
Choosing the Right Keywords
It’s crucial to carefully select keywords that will help maximize space and improve search term effectiveness.
Synonyms and Abbreviations: These are key to making the most of the limited character space in Amazon’s backend search terms. For example, “free weights” can also be used as “dumbbells” to cast a wider net.
Long-tail Keywords: These keywords might have a lower search volume, but they’re highly targeted and face less competition. For instance, “best budget-friendly dumbbells for beginners” is much more specific than just “dumbbells” and often leads to higher conversions.
Maximizing Term Indexing
Amazon’s search algorithm indexes all the keywords in your backend, but it’s important not to compromise usability or readability for the sake of keyword stuffing.
Prioritize Relevance: Aim to include as many relevant keywords as possible without sacrificing the quality of your listing. This ensures that customers actually search for the terms you choose.
Avoid Repetition: Amazon does not count the same keyword multiple times, so don’t waste space by repeating terms. Instead, focus on synonyms or variations to maximize the indexing of different relevant terms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Search Term Optimization
Optimizing search terms on Amazon can be tricky, and there are several common mistakes sellers often make. Avoiding these errors will help improve your product’s visibility and ensure you’re making the most of Amazon’s backend keyword fields.
Here’s a handy table to guide you:
Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | Best Practice |
Exceeding the character limit | Going over 2500 characters can cause Amazon to ignore extra keywords. | Stay within the 2500-character limit and use each field efficiently. |
Not including synonyms | Missing out on terms shoppers might use limits your reach. | Add synonyms and related terms to capture a broader audience. |
Ignoring spelling variations | Spelling errors or variations can result in missed search queries. | Account for common spelling variations to cover all potential searches. |
Not using abbreviations or alternate names | Some shoppers use abbreviations, and missing out could hurt visibility. | Include abbreviations (e.g., "TV" for "television") if applicable. |
Using all lowercase letters | While Amazon doesn't differentiate between uppercase and lowercase, clarity matters. | Use consistent, clear text formatting without unnecessary capital letters. |
Using punctuation marks | Punctuation marks like semicolons, colons, and hyphens don't improve visibility. | Separate words with spaces only, avoiding unnecessary punctuation. |
Repeating keywords | Redundant keywords take up space and don’t increase indexing. | Ensure each keyword is unique and avoid repetition. |
Including brand names | Amazon doesn’t allow third-party brand names in search terms. | Focus on generic product keywords rather than brand names. |
Adding ASINs | Including ASINs doesn’t impact search rankings and wastes valuable space. | Avoid using ASINs in your search terms. |
Using stop words | Common stop words don't help with search results. | Avoid using words like "the," "and," "for," and "with." |
Switching between singular/plural forms | This can waste character space and doesn’t help with optimization. | Choose either singular or plural form of the keyword, not both. |
Including temporary claims | Keywords like "new" or "on sale now" quickly become outdated. | Stick to long-term, evergreen keywords that don’t expire. |
Making subjective claims | Words like "best," "cheapest," or "amazing" are subjective and can be misleading. | Stick to factual descriptions of your product. |
Using offensive terms | Abusive or inappropriate language can result in listing removal. | Ensure your search terms are free from offensive language. |
Let Sellermate.ai Optimize Search Terms. You've Got Better Things To Do!
You’ve learned how important search term optimization is for improving product visibility and sales on Amazon.
But let's face it—who has time to manage every detail of keyword research, tracking, and updating?
That’s where SellerMate.ai steps in.
It can automate the entire process, ensuring your listings are always aligned with the latest trends and search behaviors.
Key Features:
Real-Time Keyword Optimization: Automatically updates your search terms to stay aligned with current trends, keeping your listings optimized for Amazon search.
Dynamic Pricing: Adjust your prices automatically based on competitor actions and market conditions.
PPC Campaign Optimization: Focus on high-performing keywords and products, improving your ad spend efficiency.
Smart Bid Optimizer: Automatically adjust bids to improve visibility and drive conversions.
Custom Reports & Dashboards: Get instant insights to make data-driven decisions and optimize campaigns effectively.
Competitor Tracking: Keep an eye on competitors' pricing, keywords, and strategies so you're always one step ahead.
As the saying goes, "Don’t wait for the opportunity to knock—create your own."
SellerMate ensures that your listings are always at their best, freeing you from manual effort and allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Ready to take your Amazon search term optimization to the next level?
Book a free demo today and see how SellerMate can simplify your journey to greater sales and success!
FAQs
1. How do I add search terms on Amazon?
To add search terms, go to the product listing page in Amazon Seller Central, navigate to the "Keywords" section in the "Product Details" tab, and enter your relevant search terms in the provided backend keyword fields. Ensure you're within the character limit (2500 characters across five fields).
2. What is the search term report on Amazon?
The search term report on Amazon provides data on how often your products appear for specific search queries. It shows the actual search terms customers used to find your products, helping you optimize your keywords and improve visibility.
3. How to write a search term?
A search term should be clear, relevant, and based on what customers are likely to type into Amazon’s search bar. Focus on using words that describe your product accurately and incorporate synonyms or related terms to cover a wider range of potential queries.
4. How do I enter search terms?
In Amazon Seller Central, under the "Keywords" section, you can enter your search terms into the "Search Terms" field for each product listing. Be sure to follow the character and word limits to maximize optimization.
5. What is an example of a search term?
An example of a search term could be "wireless headphones for running" or "stainless steel coffee maker." These are keywords or phrases that potential customers might use to find your product.
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