description data quality Fix “HTML content in description” on Google Merchant Center
Description contains HTML tags. Google accepts plain text only — HTML doesn't render as formatting; the raw tags display in some surfaces.
What you see in Google Merchant Center:
HTML content in description
API identifier: html_in_description
HTML in description doesn't render as formatting; the raw tags display in some surfaces and break layout. Plain text only — paragraphs separated by newlines, no markup beyond basic punctuation.
The exception is Shopify and similar platforms where descriptions are stored with HTML for storefront rendering. The feed-generation step needs to strip HTML before output. Standard HTML-to-plain-text conversion handles this; many feed tools do it automatically but some pipelines miss the step.
For description content needing visual structure (bullet points, headings), use the product_highlight field or rely on the description's plain-text paragraph breaks. Don't try to encode visual structure in description itself.
Top causes
- 1
Shopify or WooCommerce exports including HTML formatting
- 2
Manufacturer descriptions with embedded markup
- 3
Bullet point formatting using <li> instead of plain text
- 4
Affiliate or tracking link tags accidentally inserted
How to fix it
- 1
Strip HTML in feed generation
Run descriptions through an HTML-stripper before output. Convert <br> to newlines, drop other tags.
- 2
Re-export feed
Force-fetch. Items typically clear within 30 minutes.
Related issues
Description too short
Description under Google's recommended minimum (typically 200 characters). Items still serve but with reduced relevance scoring for search queries.
Read moreDescription too long
Meta caps descriptions at 9,999 characters but truncates to ~90 in many placements. Long descriptions don't break catalogs but reduce visible content in product detail views.
Read moreRelated fields
Related tools
FAQ
Can I keep formatting in the description?
Plain newlines for paragraphs, plain hyphens for bullets. Anything that needs markup gets stripped.
Last reviewed: 26 May 2026
Why wait? Try it free today.
Stop managing feeds manually. Start optimising with AI in 30 seconds.
- Free plan, no credit card required
- 1 brand, 1 feed, 100,000 products per feed
- Full AI Product Optimisation, Rule Engine, and 200+ channel exports
- Pay only for AI credits when you need them