Mobile Item Description Text Issue

[bleec1]

@pocomocomputing

I saw the archived bit that got me partly to where I needed to be.  Issue is with wanting to customize the "Item Description" box in the Mobile View.

This should work...

<div id="mobileDesc" vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="Product"><span property= "description">Tap For More Information</span></div>

But what I am running into is that the "Tap For More Information" is ALSO being displayed on the page.  If I try to hide the text, then Ebay seems to think its not there and puts in a random part of my description into the mobile view of "item Description".  I've tried creating a black background bar for the black text so it can't be seen on the actual item description page, but again, it somehow gets skipped over.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113085184712?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

See the above item, for an example.  I don't want the text at the top of the actual item description but the code I used keeps putting it there.  It DOES accomplish my need to standardize the mobile view of the "Item Description" category however.

@shipscript

For clarity, this is in reference to archived topic:  https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Tools-Apps/Mobile-Item-Description-Text-not-displaying/td-p/26...

And here is where I am putting the code (literally on the first line after mobile friendly horizontal scrolling fix right before the title):

<font rwr="1" size="4" style="font-family:Arial"><style>img{max-width:100%}</style></font><div id="mobileDesc" vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="Product"><span property="description">Tap For More Information</span></div>
<title>MTG - Unhinged Full Art Lands x20 - Complete Playset - UNPLAYED NM/MINT</title>

I've picked up HTML solely based on my need for a template, so consider me a noob 😛

[shipscript]

@bleec1

See this discussion:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Tools-Apps/My-Item-description-summary-generator-please-try/m-p/286644...

You can style the ID element id="mobileDesc"  to be invisible to hide your mobile summary in desktop view.

However, I heartily discourage a "tap for more" mobile summary. eBay uses the mobile summary for more than just mobile devices. You are going to see that summary on eBay's new Catalog display and grouped listings. eBay also shares that description with google and other shopping networks. "Tap for more" is not going to bring you any buyers on those other platforms or in those display scenarios. 

The summary code is provided to sellers who use HTML and complex templates as a way to bring relevant data to the forefront on mobile and on other shopping venues.  I don't think you would want to squander that opportunity.

Do you know what an elevator pitch is? It's the quick-sell accomplished in an elevator ride — short and to the point. That is what you want for the mobile summary.

[bleec1]

No, I get the elevator pitch.  I would rather a short description in the mobile view of Item Description and interesting enough, even IF I list an item as used, Ebay's site is picking up additional 'random' description details and adding it in to the view.  For example... I have the following listed in the 'Condition Description' field:

Original package was opened and cards were sleeved and put into a binder.  All cards have been inspected and are absolutely NM/MINT and UNPLAYED.  Includes the Dice.

and while that DOES show up in the mobile app view, the site is also filling in extra stuff from my general information section... specifically a part where I talk about card grades and Damaged cards.  In essence, it looks like this:

"Original package was opened and cards were sleeved and put into a binder.  All cards have been inspected and are absolutely NM/MINT and UNPLAYED.  Includes the Dice."

MTG - From The Vault - Dragons.  Singles in DAM condition are usually listed this way from a serious crease or dent on the card, or other major gotcha. Item should be playable inside a sleeve(s) however.

and since my item isn't damaged, this concerns me.  I want to be able to have my section at the bottom of the listing that is a standard information section regarding how I grade cards, my shipping policies and information regarding feedback... but how do I keep snippets of that from showing up in the mobile view 'Item Description'?  It's driving me mad and I am nearly positive it is a formatting issue or missing tag that I could add around that section that would prevent the site from pulling snippets.

Thanks in advance.  You are appreciated.

[bleec1]

I think I got it working with:

<div vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="Product">
<span property="description">
Description
</span>
</div>

Testing further 

[bleec1 · Accepted solution]

Awesome... so now it worksd with a mobile browser... but even with the display:none style, it duplicates the information on the Ebay mobile app.

Of course, I can make it look nice in the mobile app for ebay if I just don't put it in altogether and just use the 'condition description' field of the item listing and sell all things as used.  Which is whack... because then the mobile browser view does the whole 'random snippet' thing.

Essentially, I would rather have that information duplicated as I have now if folks view my item via the mobile app so long as there are no random snippets.  It's like a partial win because that random snippet was aggravating, even though it looks dumb replicated (until truncated) using the mobile app itself.

Why is this so complicated to standardize with some sort of if/then logic on the mobile app?  IF they have a condition description, then just display that.  IF they don't, then display info tagged around:

<div id="mobileDesc" vocab="https://schema.org/" style="display:none" typeof="Product">
<span property="description">Manual Item Description Here</span></div>

or this:

<div id="mobileDesc" vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="Product">
<span property="description">Manual Item Description Here</span></div>

or EVEN this:

<div vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="Product">
<span property="description">Manual Item Description Here</span></div>

Heck, that last one is exactly how they say to do it via one of their help pages!  But with an already entered condition description for a used item, it gets duplicated.

Sure, I could go without the 'Condition Description' and inset that directly into the listing using the tags above... but then that defeats the purpose of having the field 'Condition Description' in the first place.

Convoluted and frustrating... any tips on how to make sure its standardized across each viewing platform?  (PC, Mobile browser, Mobile App).  If not, no worries... You can tell me the color of the sky today and I will mark this question answered.

[shipscript]

@bleec1

If the mobile app is removing the hidden property of the summary text, then the only way to standardize across all platforms is to provide a block of visible text as your summary.

One recommendation is to create a visible summary or abstract paragraph at the top of your template that serves both as a lead-in to your description (just like the blurb at the top of articles), and as the mobile summary.

Let's look at this listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/113102933369

This is your current summary that is shared with other shopping venues:

"Please see pictures and listing title for more information about the condition of the item and contact me with any questions."

If your summary were a blurb at the top, it could say something like this as a lead-in:

"These five cards are in excellent condition, but have offset borders as shown in the photos: Elvish Hunter, Giant Tortoise, Blood Lust, Ghost Ship, Backfire."

Then the actual description provides more detail about each of those cards.

For one seller, we actually indented and put a border around the summary to call attention to it, same as magazines.

For another, we did something similar, but put it right after the description as a call to action, like this: 

"This is your chance to fill out your collection with Elvish Hunter, Giant Tortoise, Blood Lust, Ghost Ship, and Backfire cards that are in excellent condition, but that have an offset border."

[bleec1]

Well look at you customizing your response to my listing.  I found a solution by using the mobile description code around an acceptable blurb and ensuring my 'Condition Description' was different.  It no longer looks awkward and I have pressed forward with this template.  Much appreciated.

Very nice, high five!

- Borat