Update on ebay App's Visual Search Tool

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

As some have mentioned here, a few weeks ago the Visual Search tool was abruptly removed from the ebay mobile app (with no announcement). On today's ebay for business podcast, Griff gave this update:

...Product Team and they informed me that because of some inconsistencies that popped up with the feature at the end of December, they had temporarily removed it from the app and they had to do it quickly because they didn't want these inconsistencies to keep showing up, but they're working to get it back, fixed ASAP. So that version of the Visual Search, they should have it back up and running very soon. But he also told me that they actually planned to relaunch a new and improved version of Visual Search later this year in 2022. So stay tuned for that. 

So, the good news is: they are working on fixing the issue and returning it to the app "very soon", and they plan on launching a new, improved version "later this year" (which, as we all know, could mean this year or next year)

In any event, I'm glad to see it will be coming back in one form or another, at some point or another.

The real mystery is: with ebay's supposed emphasis on "transparency" and "seller engagement", why was there no announcement when this was removed?  Why does ebay still think its perfectly acceptable to leave sellers in the dark? (Those are rhetorical questions, no need to answer LOL)

So, here's hoping it returns soon, and here's hoping the new improved version actually arrives before the end of the year.

[valueaddedresource]

Good catch @my-cottage-books-and-antiques !

Definitely agree there should have been an announcement when it was removed, but second best thing would be an announcement now with that updated info especially because this has been a really hot topic with multiple questions about it here in the community and a lot of chatter about it on social media too. 

tyler@ebay velvet@ebay - any chance we could at least get a sticky notice for this with an official update either in the technical section or at least the apps sections of the boards?

[velvet@ebay]

---

@valueaddedresource wrote:

Good catch @my-cottage-books-and-antiques !

Definitely agree there should have been an announcement when it was removed, but second best thing would be an announcement now with that updated info especially because this has been a really hot topic with multiple questions about it here in the community and a lot of chatter about it on social media too. 

tyler@ebay velvet@ebay - any chance we could at least get a sticky notice for this with an official update either in the technical section or at least the apps sections of the boards?

---

Thanks for the feedback @valueaddedresource and @my-cottage-books-and-antiques. We'll pass on your request for a notice of some kind to be floated in the apps and technical boards. 

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

velvet@ebay  Thanks!

[valueaddedresource]

Thanks velvet@ebay !

[cjstreasures_2]

I've read what everyone's   concerns are with regard to the removal of the camera for searching out an image.  I usually used the camera to snapshot the UPC code on an item, never knowing that it would work to help in identifying an item.  Since the camera icon recently disappeared, a bar code scanner  image is there now.  It does not work either.  I've tried repeatedly to search a UPC code using this new icon image  it returns with no results found.  I then type in the entire words of the item description and find the item(s) that way.  I am hopeful they will return the UPC code capability as well as the camera capability.

[eburtonlab]

I just now used the bar code feature of the eBay app to find a book on eBay, and it seemed to work for me.

[prinze_charming]

While on hold with an Ebay agent, I discovered this page.  I had some issues with attempting to express what information that I was trying to get my issue across, and through this thread found that I'm not alone.  I did suggest to the agent that they bring the camera function back and also keep the bar code scanner. That woud be the best of both worlds.  The items that I'm usually searching for are hard to describe, and a picture is like a 1.000 words.  But thanks for not feeling like I was alone in this quest.

[beanercleaner]

This really stinks.  I am loosing selling opportunities because I can't identify something by picture.  Early in 2021 that picture search was so awesome. I learned so much about items. What a pleasure.  Then sometime along the way, say in summer something went wrong.  In looking for something all kinds of odd things would come up.  But that was better than no picture search at all.  Come on e-bay give us a break.  We are loosing money because of this.

[eburtonlab]

I am loosing selling opportunities because I can't identify something by picture.

There are other services that will attempt to identify an item from an image. Most search engines have such an image search feature -- although not exactly the same as looking something up on eBay, one of those services might be worth using to help identify an object by name, which can then be used to search on eBay.

[hiddentreasures31241]

I'm thinking I might just uninstall the app.  No camera then I have no use for the app

[valueaddedresource]

Visual search is back in the app with the most recent update for both iOS and Android.  I have to say though, the results are even less accurate than the previous version, for me at least.

I tested by taking a picture of my mouse pad - first attempt brought up glass vases and sculptures.

Then I tried it with the mouse actually on the pad to try to give the AI a little more context to draw from and got car parts and accessories instead.

For reference, I had tried this search with this same mouse pad in the previous version as well - with just the pad, the search brought up a bunch of fleece blankets but once the mouse was added that did help, the results were then mostly for mouse pads or mouse & pad combo listings.

I'm curious to see if others are seeing more or less accurate results with the new version.