🔎 Overview
When submitting your business description through the Data Aggregator and Network Submissions section in Local Citations, Search Atlas validates that your description falls within a strict 50–500 word count range. If your submission is rejected with a word count error, the most common cause is a miscalculation of your actual word count — not a formatting issue, character limit, or browser cache problem.
This article explains exactly how word count is measured, why your count may differ from what you expect, and how to correct your description so it passes validation.
🗺️ How to Access Data Aggregator Network Submissions
- Log in to Search Atlas.
- In the left sidebar, click Local.
- Select Local Citations from the sub-menu.
- Open your target project and navigate to the Data Aggregator and Network Submissions section.
- Locate the Business Description field to review or edit your current entry.
📏 How Word Count Validation Works
Search Atlas counts words using standard whitespace-based tokenisation. Every sequence of characters separated by a space, tab, or line break is counted as one word. The rules below are the most important ones to understand:
- Minimum: Your description must contain at least 50 words.
- Maximum: Your description must contain no more than 500 words.
- Hyphenated compounds (e.g., award-winning) are counted as one word.
- Numbers and symbols (e.g., 24/7, $50) each count as one word.
- Punctuation attached to a word (e.g., a trailing comma or period) does not create an extra word.
- Extra blank lines or multiple consecutive spaces do not add to the word count.
This means word processor tools such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or browser extensions may report a slightly different count depending on how they handle hyphens, numbers, and punctuation. Always verify your count using a plain-text method before resubmitting.
⚠️ Common Reasons Your Count May Be Wrong
- Word processor inflation: Some tools count hyphenated words as two words. Search Atlas counts them as one, so your processor may show a higher number than the platform records.
- Copied content with hidden characters: Text pasted from a PDF, website, or formatted document can contain invisible characters or non-breaking spaces that word processors count but the platform does not recognise as word separators.
- Contractions and possessives: Words like don't or company's are always counted as a single word.
- Bullet points or list formatting: If you paste bulleted text, the bullet symbols may be stripped during submission, which can reduce your word count below 50.
✅ How to Accurately Check Your Word Count
- Copy your business description text.
- Paste it into a plain-text editor (Notepad on Windows, TextEdit in plain-text mode on Mac, or an online word counter tool that counts by whitespace).
- Remove any leading or trailing blank lines.
- Count the words. Confirm the total is between 50 and 500.
- If you are close to the boundary, add or remove a few words to create a comfortable buffer — aim for at least 55–495 words to avoid edge-case discrepancies.
✍️ How to Update Your Business Description
- Navigate to Local → Local Citations in the left sidebar.
- Open the relevant project and go to Data Aggregator and Network Submissions.
- Click Edit next to the Business Description field.
- Paste your corrected description, confirm the word count is within range, and click Save.
- Resubmit the form. The validation error should no longer appear once your word count is compliant.
🚫 What This Error Is NOT About
If you received guidance suggesting the rejection is caused by a character limit, special characters, or a browser cache issue, that guidance does not apply to this specific error. The Data Aggregator business description field uses word count validation only. Clearing your cache or removing special characters will not resolve a word count rejection. Focus solely on adjusting the number of words in your description.
💡 Writing Tips for a Compliant Description
- Aim for a natural length of 100–300 words — enough to be informative without padding.
- Describe your core services, location, unique value, and who you serve.
- Avoid keyword stuffing or repetitive phrases used solely to inflate word count, as these can affect how your listing is received by aggregator networks.
- Write in full sentences rather than fragmented bullet points to ensure an accurate and consistent word count.
🆘 Still Seeing the Rejection Error?
If you have confirmed your word count is between 50 and 500 and the error persists, there may be an underlying technical issue with your submission. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.