How to fix common errors in Facebook Catalog (Property rich_text_description contains invalid HTML)
If you're encountering the error message "Property rich_text_description contains invalid HTML", it typically means that your product description contains special characters or formatting that Facebook does not support. This issue often arises when using symbols such as &, /, bullet points, or other rich text elements.
To ensure compliance with Facebook's guidelines, it is crucial to remove any unsupported formatting and use only plain text in your product descriptions. This article will guide you step by step on how to resolve this issue effectively.
Understanding the Error
Common Causes
How to Fix the Error
Verifying Your Fix
The error occurs when you attempt to upload or sync a product listing on Facebook, but the description field includes HTML tags or special characters that are not supported. Facebook requires that product descriptions be formatted as plain text.
Some common reasons why this error appears include:
- Usage of special characters like &, <, >, /, or @.
- Inclusion of HTML tags such as <b>, <i>, <ul>, <li>, etc.
- Copy-pasting formatted text from a word processor or website.
- Invisible formatting issues from rich-text editors.
Go through your product description and remove any special characters that Facebook might flag. Instead of symbols like &, write and instead.
Example:
- ❌ "Men's T-Shirts & Accessories"
- ✅ "Men's T-Shirts and Accessories"
If you've copied text from a document or website, it may contain hidden formatting. To remove this:
Copy the description.
Paste it into a plain text editor (like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac in plain text mode).
Copy it again from the text editor and paste it into the Facebook product description field.
Even if the text looks plain, it may still contain hidden formatting. Use online tools like Remove HTML Tags (available via a quick web search) to clean your text.
Ensure your description follows Facebook's Product Description Specification. Keep it:
- Concise (avoid long paragraphs)
- Informative (only include product-related details)
- Plain text only (no HTML, emojis, or special formatting)
After making the necessary changes, try uploading or syncing your product listing again. If the issue persists:
- Double-check your text for any remaining special characters.
- Use a plain text editor to remove all hidden formatting.
- Refer to Facebook’s official help documentation for further assistance.
The "Property rich_text_description contains invalid HTML" error is caused by unsupported characters or formatting in your product descriptions. By following the steps outlined above—removing special characters, converting rich text to plain text, and adhering to Facebook’s guidelines—you can successfully resolve this issue and ensure a smooth product listing process.
By maintaining clean, plain-text descriptions, you enhance the chances of your products being approved and displayed correctly on Facebook Marketplace and Shops.
If you encounter an error that is not stated in this article, feel free to contact us via in-app live chat or email at support@socialhead.io we would love to help you out!
To ensure compliance with Facebook's guidelines, it is crucial to remove any unsupported formatting and use only plain text in your product descriptions. This article will guide you step by step on how to resolve this issue effectively.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Error
Common Causes
How to Fix the Error
Verifying Your Fix
Understanding the Error
The error occurs when you attempt to upload or sync a product listing on Facebook, but the description field includes HTML tags or special characters that are not supported. Facebook requires that product descriptions be formatted as plain text.
Common Causes
Some common reasons why this error appears include:
- Usage of special characters like &, <, >, /, or @.
- Inclusion of HTML tags such as <b>, <i>, <ul>, <li>, etc.
- Copy-pasting formatted text from a word processor or website.
- Invisible formatting issues from rich-text editors.
How to Fix the Error
Step 1: Remove Special Characters
Go through your product description and remove any special characters that Facebook might flag. Instead of symbols like &, write and instead.
Example:
- ❌ "Men's T-Shirts & Accessories"
- ✅ "Men's T-Shirts and Accessories"
Step 2: Convert Rich Text to Plain Text
If you've copied text from a document or website, it may contain hidden formatting. To remove this:
Copy the description.
Paste it into a plain text editor (like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac in plain text mode).
Copy it again from the text editor and paste it into the Facebook product description field.
Step 3: Check for Hidden Formatting
Even if the text looks plain, it may still contain hidden formatting. Use online tools like Remove HTML Tags (available via a quick web search) to clean your text.
Step 4: Use Facebook’s Product Description Guidelines
Ensure your description follows Facebook's Product Description Specification. Keep it:
- Concise (avoid long paragraphs)
- Informative (only include product-related details)
- Plain text only (no HTML, emojis, or special formatting)
Verifying Your Fix
After making the necessary changes, try uploading or syncing your product listing again. If the issue persists:
- Double-check your text for any remaining special characters.
- Use a plain text editor to remove all hidden formatting.
- Refer to Facebook’s official help documentation for further assistance.
The "Property rich_text_description contains invalid HTML" error is caused by unsupported characters or formatting in your product descriptions. By following the steps outlined above—removing special characters, converting rich text to plain text, and adhering to Facebook’s guidelines—you can successfully resolve this issue and ensure a smooth product listing process.
By maintaining clean, plain-text descriptions, you enhance the chances of your products being approved and displayed correctly on Facebook Marketplace and Shops.
If you encounter an error that is not stated in this article, feel free to contact us via in-app live chat or email at support@socialhead.io we would love to help you out!
Updated on: 21/03/2025
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