Ebays new Layout for Promoted/Sponsored Items

[ibmquality]

Hello

I've noticed that eBay's platform has recently started promoting similar items right in the middle of my listings. This has become a cause for concern because it often leads to inquiries about my terms and conditions. The two lines of eBay's sponsored/promoted listings appear directly below my item for sale. What's particularly frustrating is that these promoted items are often not related to what I'm selling, making it confusing for potential buyers.

It's disappointing that eBay has implemented this policy without considering how it impacts buyers and sellers. This practice not only confuses potential purchasers but also hinders sellers like myself because buyers are left uncertain about the item's details and terms and conditions before making a purchase decision. 

I believe that this decision by eBay needs further evaluation, as it seems to create more problems than solutions. It's essential for eBay to maintain a user-friendly and transparent platform for both buyers and sellers to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved.  If you agree with my findings we need to send a message to eBays executive so they can correct this issue.

[ittybitnot]

@ibmquality 

Actually, promoted listings have been displayed in various places on YOUR page for a very long time now.  It wasn't until a couple of months ago, that you could actually see them when viewing your own items.  If you were signed in, the various displays would not be visible to you.  

These ranged from a hundred or so items shown before your listing even started to other displays where there are a hundred or more in rows after your description.  eBay is testing different variations now, so what is displayed to you, may not be what is displayed to me even if we both view the same page. 

At the same time, eBay has convinced sellers they need to promote their items.  As more and more sellers fall in line with this, eBay has to show them "somewhere" that can actually produce VIEWS and perhaps sales as opposed to simply impressions.  An impression can be recorded if it appears anywhere on a page, even if it is last in one of those sliding carousel bars that nobody uses to scroll right see the rest on that line.  If all the thumbnails were all at the end, chances are not many would look at them anyway so that will not work for eBay's promotion program where they want more people to join and pay more. 

It seems to me if eBay is displaying "unrelated" items on your page, perhaps you should count yourself lucky.  It would be better than showing the same thing for less from someone else. 

[ibmquality]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

@ibmquality 

Actually, promoted listings have been displayed in various places on YOUR page for a very long time now.  It wasn't until a couple of months ago, that you could actually see them when viewing your own items.  If you were signed in, the various displays would not be visible to you.  

These ranged from a hundred or so items shown before your listing even started to other displays where there are a hundred or more in rows after your description.  eBay is testing different variations now, so what is displayed to you, may not be what is displayed to me even if we both view the same page. 

At the same time, eBay has convinced sellers they need to promote their items.  As more and more sellers fall in line with this, eBay has to show them "somewhere" that can actually produce VIEWS and perhaps sales as opposed to simply impressions.  An impression can be recorded if it appears anywhere on a page, even if it is last in one of those sliding carousel bars that nobody uses to scroll right see the rest on that line.  If all the thumbnails were all at the end, chances are not many would look at them anyway so that will not work for eBay's promotion program where they want more people to join and pay more. 

It seems to me if eBay is displaying "unrelated" items on your page, perhaps you should count yourself lucky.  It would be better than showing the same thing for less from someone else. 

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Guess I am not lucky they show both unrelated and similar, they show the same product but its from international and there is no US warranty but they definitely have a lower price... Ebay doesn't care bout sellers, they area about one thing here's the money!

[heckofagame]

I have found that if you get enough listings, your own listings will appear on your page. Pretty cool. 

[ibmquality]

hard to do if your selling $4000 items!

[mam98031 · Accepted solution]

Yes @ittybitnot is absolutely correct.  This is something that has actually been happening for a very long time.  Far too long IMHO.  I firmly agree with all your concerns and them some.

For the last several months Ebay has been testing how a listing presents.  So there has been all kinds of different views over the months.  Not everyone sees every test. 

When I get the chance, I complain about PL listings showing anywhere above the description of the seller.  If they appear below that I would not have an issue with them like I do when they appear to be part of my listing, which they are not of course.

I encourage anyone else to complain about this as well when there is a feedback button available to you when you view a listing.

[ibmquality]

Thank you great info to consider... Have a happy weekend!

[superfectabox]

It **bleep** is what it is....

putting:

"Similar sponsored items"

and 

"Ships fastest to you"

right in the middle of your listing before the product and description details are even displayed is obnoxious - feels downright criminal.

I don't care much about the "You may also like" at the bottom of the listing but driving traffic off my item JUST BECAUSE I DIDNT PAY ADDITIONAL MONEY TO BE SPONSORED beyond what I paid (after my free listings, obviously) is disrespectful at minimum and being held hostage at worst.

I've always had a love/hate relationship with eBay but this change takes the cake.

[mam98031]

No need to get so upset.  Ebay has been testing how listings present for months.  They haven't yet decided on a format to take site wide.  Yelling here does nothing except maybe make you feel a little better.  We are members just like you.

@superfectabox 

[e.pluribusunum7]

Promotions can have their place. PROMOTED LIMITES by Valve might work better. If the item value is less then $1000.00 It should not be offered promotion products. 

[e.pluribusunum7]

It would really be cool if you are the BUYER of your own items. 

[norskmediashop]

The sponsored items bar are one issue but now with the second bar under that of even more items called "items that ship fastest to you" that's an outrage. A buyer doesn't even have a chance to scroll to the item description for the page they are on before seeing all this mess. None of us have a chance of making a sale anymore when ebay is outright making sure that buyers, browsers, customers call them what you want, are being pulled away from the product they were considering or originally interested in.

Were all paying exorbitant fees and costs now here for nothing any more. Especially store subscribers, which is proving to be an absolute waste of money when ebay is doing this, it never use to be like that. 

would love a mod to comment here on this because ebay is digging itself a hole and not too many are going to be using the platform much longer especially in terms of sellers, with this mess they keep doing. 

[e.pluribusunum7]

I'm pulling listings to take to a live auction. it's now cheaper No SHIPPING and most of the time the items sell better then on eBay. A.I. does not have a clue of placement for promoted items. 

  When I buy RADIO or TV PROMOTIONS They give me the option of time slots and provide a list of those times as well.  We are buying promotions and not given a clue of WHAT WHEN AND WHERE. your KNIFE showed at 3:00 AM for 2 times in a category  of  BANIE BABIES & BARBIES  Their A.I. is just throwing it anywhere anytime. And I'm paying for it. And in some cases paying Up front.

 I want a piece of that action.  For 10 bucks I will put your item listing in my car Window For A DAY. For a extra 5 Bucks I will park it at Walmart. Only when I'm shopping.  Your Promotion ends when I leave. And Only when I GO. May be 2 AM 

[e.pluribusunum7]

And what about the Standard Listings. Are they now the NEW BLACK LIST LISTINGS. NO PROMO NO SHOW?

[superfectabox]

I love this part too....I mostly sell (for the last couple of years due to sourcing changes) brand new factory sealed items....and I just LOVE it when I see the newly added banners across the screen promoting the same product but in used condition for, obviously (most of the time), less money.

Now if the potential buyer says "hey, I'll try it and save the dough" (which you cannot blame them in these economic times) not only does that hurt my sales but also eBay itself as the collected fees will be less on the sold used item. It makes no sense....

Therefore, if they keep this madness, they at least should match up the products they promote to be of the same condition (at least if viewing a new item).