Alternate Fields Too Long Error Walkthrough

Alternate Headlines - Too Long. Error Solution & Prevention

Google has character limits on the headline, description, and path fields.

Headlines cannot exceed 30 characters

Descriptions cannot exceed 90 characters

Paths cannot exceed 15 characters

Sometimes, using placeholders can cause a field to accidentally exceed these limits.

For example, the placeholder [make] [model] can be filled in with both Ford Flex and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which have very different character counts

The “Too Long.” error from Google would show like this in Hoot, inside the template errors page:

The “value” column shows the headline or description that is causing the error. In the above example, we can determine that the headline causing the error is” Shop Used [Make] [Model] Today”.

You can set up an alternate headline/description which functions as a failsafe for placeholders that cause fields to exceed the character limit.

To do so, scroll to the bottom of your ad and click “Show Alternate Fields”. If you have multiple ads, you will need to click the button for each one.

You will then be able to add in alternate headlines and descriptions in the fields that show under the original fields.

Important consideration: Duplicate headlines and descriptions are not allowed within the same ad, and this includes alternate fields. Be sure that your alternate fields are not the same as an existing piece of copy within the same ad.