diff --git a/backend/src/kithara_client.py b/backend/src/kithara_client.py
index e1f7670..4440f70 100644
--- a/backend/src/kithara_client.py
+++ b/backend/src/kithara_client.py
@@ -51,24 +51,24 @@ async def generate_clip(prompt: str, model: str = "lyria-3-clip-preview", durati
             if block_reason:
                 block_message = data.get("blockReasonMessage", "")
                 logger.warning(f"Google Lyria API blocked: {block_reason} — {block_message}")
-                return {"success": False, "error": f"Prompt was filtered. Try describing the sound using mood, instruments, and tempo instead of genre names. ({block_message or block_reason})"}
+                return {"success": False, "error": f"Prompt was filtered by the Lyria API. ({block_message or block_reason}) Try rephrasing your description."}
             
             # Extract base64 audio from response
             # Google Lyria returns parts array: first part may be text (e.g. "<instrumental>"),
             # audio is in inlineData of a subsequent part.
             candidates = data.get("candidates", [])
             if not candidates:
-                return {"success": False, "error": "Prompt was filtered. Try describing the sound using mood, instruments, and tempo instead of genre names."}
+                return {"success": False, "error": "Prompt was filtered by the Lyria API. Try rephrasing your description."}
             
             # Check finish_reason for blocks
             finish_reason = candidates[0].get("finishReason", "")
             if finish_reason == "SAFETY":
-                return {"success": False, "error": "Prompt was filtered by safety controls. Try rephrasing — describe the sound using mood, instruments, and tempo instead of specific genre or artist names."}
+                return {"success": False, "error": "Prompt was filtered by safety controls. Try rephrasing your description — avoid specific artist or brand names."}
             
             content = candidates[0].get("content", {})
             parts = content.get("parts", [])
             if not parts:
-                return {"success": False, "error": "No audio was generated. Try rephrasing your prompt — describe the sound using mood, instruments, and tempo."}
+                return {"success": False, "error": "The Lyria API returned no content. This can happen with certain prompts — try rephrasing or adjusting your description."}
             
             # Find the part with inlineData (audio) — not necessarily parts[0]
             audio_part = None
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ async def generate_clip(prompt: str, model: str = "lyria-3-clip-preview", durati
             
             if audio_part is None:
                 # No audio in any part — likely filtered
-                return {"success": False, "error": "No audio was generated. Try rephrasing your prompt — describe the sound using mood, instruments, and tempo instead of specific genre names."}
+                return {"success": False, "error": "The Lyria API accepted the prompt but returned no audio. Try rephrasing your description."}
             
             inline_data = audio_part.get("inlineData", {})
             mime_type = inline_data.get("mimeType", "")