Summary: Technical messages like “This text does not contain a story that can be extracted and rewritten. It appears to be an error message from an API or application, likely related to insufficient account balance…” are not throwaway lines. They’re friction points, customer experience roadblocks, and conversion killers if left unchecked. In this post, we’ll dissect the structure, implications, and marketing takeaways from such a seemingly dull but deeply instructive system message.
Error Messages Are Interfaces, Too
Marketers often fixate on headlines, slogans, and FAQs. But what about the plain text that shows up when something goes wrong—like an API error, or a failed payment request? These messages, though short and unglamorous, speak volumes about your organization. They can either reassure the user or alienate them. The message “This text does not contain a story that can be extracted and rewritten…” is likely output from a backend process trying to interpret or process input—and failing, due to either a technical error or a content mismatch.
The Underlying Architecture: What the Message Tells Us
Let’s decode this piece by piece. The entire error conveys four things:
- There’s no user-facing content to process—it’s likely machine-readable only.
- A function is expecting story-type input or data but receives none.
- The user probably triggered this without realizing what went wrong.
- The system’s response shifts blame to the input rather than clarifying intent or guidance.
Most users don’t understand “this appears to be an error message from an API,” nor should they have to. That’s developer-speak. What they need is reassurance, navigation, and the feeling that they’re not lost. If the error is due to “insufficient account balance,” say it clearly. If the input was malformed or inconsistent, say so in human terms.
The Human Cost of Bad Error Language
Here’s the uncomfortable reality: most marketing teams ignore error language. But if you believe in commitment and consistency—one of Cialdini’s core influence tools—you’d recognize that every brand message must reflect the same care and clarity. If your promo emails are seamless and welcoming, but your error messages are cryptic and robotic, it breeds distrust.
Users don’t blame APIs; they blame brands. Who wants to do business with a company that speaks in riddles when things break down? This is where empathy meets precision—the sweet spot where technical communication must serve the same marketing function as bold headlines.
Whose Fault Is It, Anyway?
Let’s do a quick mirror: “This appears to be an error message from an API…” Why say ‘appears’? Does the system not know? That lack of authority erodes confidence. A better phrase? “Your request returned no specific content. Check your account settings or payment balance and try again.” That reasserts control, shows empathy, and gently guides.
What’s your current team process around errors? Do you have a style manual or tone guide? If not, you’re gambling with trust every time something breaks. Strategic silence in communication—one of Chris Voss’s most effective tactics—can only work if your users feel safe in those quiet moments. If an error message feels like a dead end, they won’t wait; they’ll walk.
Implications for Conversion and Retention
There’s a measurable cost to these kinds of messages. Confused users churn faster. Unclear systems have higher support ticket volumes. Errors that shift blame ruin brand affinity. Marketers who treat technical wording like a backend task are squandering a psychological moment of truth.
Imagine a user on their buying path hits an API error like this and doesn’t understand what to do next. What’s the drop-off rate from that moment onward? If you haven’t measured it, you’re guessing. And if you’re guessing, you’re losing.
Error Text as a Marketing Asset
Want to stand out? Rewrite your error pages and core messages with the same effort you put into your homepage. Rehearse them like a key sales pitch. Show social proof by demonstrating how often others navigate these hiccups successfully. Use tactical wording: “It looks like you’ve hit a small snag—usually this means the content couldn’t be found or access is limited due to payment settings. Want help?”
That small shift transforms helplessness into clarity. It aligns with Cialdini’s reciprocity principle: give good service—even in failure—and users stay committed.
How Should You Handle It Instead?
That depends on your vertical. If you’re in fintech? Clear numbers, account info, and retry options. SaaS product? Log details, current input sample, actions users can take. E-commerce app? Stick to action verbs: “Retry,” “Check billing,” “Contact support.”
What message do you want your software to send when users hit a wall? “There’s no story here” isn’t just a technical statement—it’s an emotional shrug. And no one builds loyalty by shrugging at customers.
Conclusion: Clean Tech Language Fuels Customer Trust
“This text does not contain a story that can be extracted and rewritten…” isn’t just a generic API error. It’s a symptom of a deeper problem: brand silence at a key moment. Every user interaction is a chance to build—or lose—trust. That includes the boring stuff. Especially the boring stuff.
So the next time you review your app or site’s feedback systems, ask: what do those messages say about your business? Are you offering solutions or hiding behind technical ambiguity? Are you speaking human, or hiding in developer speak? That’s how you turn error handling into a profit center instead of a liability.
Want users to stay? Then speak up—especially when things go wrong.
#UXWriting #ErrorMessagesMatter #HumanCenteredDesign #MarketingClarity #ConversionOptimizedUX #TechnicalWriting #APIUX #MarketingThroughFriction
Featured Image courtesy of Unsplash and Markus Spiske (bMvuh0YQQ68)
