Does number of views influence best match algorithm?

[mozartbach1971]

I read somewhere on the internet that the number of views will influence the best match algorithm.  Does anyone know if this is true?  I'd like to know if it specifically pertains to auctions as I only list in this format.

[inhawaii]

Unless you get a ebay employee to answer you, I doubt you will get a (accurate) answer to this question.

[mam98031]

@mozartbach1971 

There are very few things that we know for sure affecting the algorithm.  This is a closely held secret by Ebay.  

[chapeau-noir]

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@mozartbach1971 wrote:

I read somewhere on the internet that the number of views will influence the best match algorithm.  Does anyone know if this is true?  I'd like to know if it specifically pertains to auctions as I only list in this format.

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If a listing has many views and no purchase, the scenario is that the item in question will steadily fall in placement due to relevancy (or lack thereof). 

[meme6253]

You can't trust everything you read,Especially from the internet, But to possibly get an answer to your question, You would need to be able to talk to the Tech staff at Ebay, I doubt if anyone here would be able to properly answer your question.

[mam98031]

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@meme6253 wrote:

You can't trust everything you read,Especially from the internet, But to possibly get an answer to your question, You would need to be able to talk to the Tech staff at Ebay, I doubt if anyone here would be able to properly answer your question.

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That would not help.  This is a closely held secret by Ebay and understandably so.  If this was known, it could be used and abused.

[chapeau-noir]

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@mam98031 wrote:

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@meme6253 wrote:

You can't trust everything you read,Especially from the internet, But to possibly get an answer to your question, You would need to be able to talk to the Tech staff at Ebay, I doubt if anyone here would be able to properly answer your question.

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That would not help.  This is a closely held secret by Ebay and understandably so.  If this was known, it could be used and abused.

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It's always changing, anyway, with procedures being rewritten, metric status changing, etc. 

There are basic rules of SEO (as they stand now) that can pretty well clue one in as to general function, though - eBay's search algorithm is not going to deviate from the basics even if the details do, and OP's was a very basic question. 

If I have something with many views but no purchase, I redo the listing. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

@mozartbach1971 

Amazon pioneered ignoring the basic rules of SEO. its A9 Search was optimized to display the items based on their likelihood of selling. Ebay's Best Match attempts to emulate that behavior.

This link is to the Ebay recommendations for optimizing for best match

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/optimising-listings-best-match?id=4166&st=3&...

The following extract answers your question

Our Best Match algorithm—the formula eBay uses to sort listings—considers a number of different factors. These include:

• How closely the listing matches the buyer’s search terms
• How popular the item is
• The price of the item
• The quality of your listing (description, photos, and so on)
• How complete the listing is
• The listing terms of service, such as your return policy and handling time
• Your track record as a seller

How Ebay measures "How Popular the item is" is unknown but the number of views may be an input to that factor.

[mam98031]

It would be my guess that most buyers do not search using Best Match, but more likely low to high.  I don't have any stats on that, just my guess.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

@mam98031 

I respectfully disagree.

Many buyers do not search low to high for very good reasons

1. They always use the default search which is Best Match. They take the path of least resistance.

2. They use broader searches than they should and often the cheapest offers are the least relevant

3. Condition often influences price and if they are collectors condition is often their major concern.

4. Scummy sellers create variation listing which include a low-ball irrelevant variant to skew the placement in a low to high search.

5. Scummy sellers lowball their prices, and then fail to deliver.

As is often the case, there are no rules of thumb for Ebay. Everything depends on what category you are dealing with.

[mam98031]

And I respectfully disagree with you.  

Members have the option to select how they want a search to return from the options on the upper right side of the search return pages.  A member can select whatever format they want from the options.  That remains sticky until the member changes it to something else.

So while new buyers may search by Best Match, it is my opinion that those that have a little experience with the site do not.

As far as scamming on the site, it is an equal opportunity situation as both buyers and sellers participate in to take advantage of some other member.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@mam98031 some years ago eBay actually provided the percentage of searches using Best Match. As I recall, it was above 90 %. Whether that has changed much since then, I don't know 

[chapeau-noir]

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@tobaccocardyahoo wrote:

@mozartbach1971 

Amazon pioneered ignoring the basic rules of SEO. its A9 Search was optimized to display the items based on their likelihood of selling. Ebay's Best Match attempts to emulate that behavior.

This link is to the Ebay recommendations for optimizing for best match

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/optimising-listings-best-match?id=4166&st=3&...

The following extract answers your question

Our Best Match algorithm—the formula eBay uses to sort listings—considers a number of different factors. These include:

• How closely the listing matches the buyer’s search terms
• How popular the item is
• The price of the item
• The quality of your listing (description, photos, and so on)
• How complete the listing is
• The listing terms of service, such as your return policy and handling time
• Your track record as a seller

How Ebay measures "How Popular the item is" is unknown but the number of views may be an input to that factor.

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Amazon simply adapted the basic rules of SEO to sales rather than information.  

[mam98031]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@mam98031 some years ago eBay actually provided the percentage of searches using Best Match. As I recall, it was above 90 %. Whether that has changed much since then, I don't know 

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Depends on how many years ago.  Certainly things change over time, people get more use to shopping on the internet, so they find the most efficient ways for them to shop.  I'm confident in saying it has changed over time.

[chapeau-noir]

When people search for hats and up come car tires, I show them how to get out of best match.