If the Content Genius auto-linker returns zero links and shows the message page_inventory_empty, even though you added your location pages to the Brand Vault, this article explains why it happens and how to fix it.
🔍 What the Error Means
The auto-linker builds internal links from a list of pages it can use, called the page inventory. The message page_inventory_empty means that when the auto-linker ran, it found no usable pages in that list. It had nothing to link to, so it returned zero links.
This does not usually mean something is wrong with your article. It means the pages you added are not reaching the auto-linker in a usable form.
🧩 Common Causes
- URLs were not saved. Pages entered in the Brand Vault only count once they are saved or confirmed.
- Wrong brand or project. The pages were added to one brand, but the Content Genius document is connected to a different one.
- Domain mismatch. The auto-linker is designed for internal links, so URLs should be on the same website as the content you are writing.
- URL formatting issues. Missing https://, extra spaces, duplicate entries, or several URLs pasted on one line can cause pages to be skipped.
- Pages that cannot be used. URLs that redirect, return a not-found or error page, require a login, or are blocked from crawling may be left out.
- Pages still processing. Newly added pages may need a few minutes before they are available.
- Stale document session. A document opened before you updated the Brand Vault may not pick up the changes.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Fix
- Check that your pages were saved. Open the Brand Vault and confirm that your location page URLs appear in the list after you refresh the page.
- Confirm the right brand. Make sure the brand or project that holds your location pages is the one selected for the Content Genius document you are working in.
- Check the URL format. Each URL should be complete, such as https://www.yourdomain.com/locations/city-name, with one URL per entry and no extra spaces. Remove any duplicates.
- Open each URL in a browser. Each page should load directly and show your content. If it redirects elsewhere, shows an error, or asks for a login, replace it with the final, working URL.
- Check the domain. Make sure the pages belong to the same website as the brand connected to your document, including the same www or non-www version.
- Wait a few minutes. If you just added the pages, give the platform a short time to process them.
- Refresh and run the auto-linker again. Reload Content Genius, reopen your document, and run the auto-linker once more.
- Try a new document. If the error remains, create a new Content Genius document under the same brand and run the auto-linker there. This helps show whether the problem is in the document or in the Brand Vault.
📍 Tips for Location Pages
- Add only the live, public location pages you want linked, not draft or staging pages.
- Use the final version of each URL, not a version that redirects.
- Make sure location pages are not set to noindex or blocked from crawlers, since this can make them unavailable.
- Keep your content relevant. The auto-linker works best when the article topic relates to the pages in your inventory, so a post about one city is more likely to find links than an unrelated topic.
✅ How to Check That It Worked
- The auto-linker returns one or more suggested links instead of zero.
- The page_inventory_empty message no longer appears.
- The suggested links point to the location pages you added.
🛡️ How to Prevent It Coming Back
- After adding or editing pages in the Brand Vault, always save and refresh before opening Content Genius.
- Keep your page list current. Remove pages that are deleted, moved, or redirected.
- Check that each new document is connected to the correct brand before running the auto-linker.
- When you add many pages at once, wait a few minutes before running the auto-linker.
💬 Still Seeing the Error?
If the error persists after these steps, it helps to have a few details ready: the brand name, the document you are working in, and two or three of the location URLs you added. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.