Google search and white picture background ...

[mr_lincoln]

I heard today that the only way an eBay item will show up in Google search is if it has a white picture background ... this from an eBay Seller's blog ... anyone know if this is true or not?

[pburn]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

I heard today that the only way an eBay item will show up in Google search is if it has a white picture background ... this from an eBay Seller's blog ... anyone know if this is true or not?

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Are you referring to a straight "Google" search, or a "Google Image" search? I can speak for the Google Image search: No. It is not true.

I buy orchids on eBay. I always copy/paste the name of the orchid into a Google Image search to see other images of the same plant. Here's one I didn't buy, but, as you can see, the background of the photo is black.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oncidium-Speckled-Spire-039-Whisp-039-Orchid-Plant-in-spike-/392010313312?_...

The same image shows up in a Google Image search. Look for "Oncidium Speckled Spire 'Whisp' " and, for me, the eBay image (from ebay.com) shows up in the third row toward the right. (I'm not sure it would show up in the same location on the page for you.)

I really should have bought that orchid . . .

Anyway, that's just one example. I'm sure you could test it on any of your own Watch List or Wish List items that may have a black background, if they have an easily searchable identity like an orchid does.

[livadia · Accepted solution]

@pburn

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

[kensgiftshop]

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@livadia wrote:

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

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That's for Google shopping.

As far as a regular Google search, I don't see where it would make a difference if the background was white or not.

[livadia]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

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@livadia wrote:

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

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That's for Google shopping.

As far as a regular Google search, I don't see where it would make a difference if the background was white or not.

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@kensgiftshop    Yes -- correct.  The white background requirement is in order to have your items show up via a Google Shopping search.  That's the Google search that most *sellers* who want to find buyers are concerned about and no doubt why the blog post the OP read brought up the fact that a white background is required.

[pburn]

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@livadia wrote:

@pburn

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

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I never use Google Shopping. I think it kinda stinks, frankly, so I really don't care much about their requirements. LOL! His initial post didn't indicate which of the bazillion Google apps he was questioning, so I'm sure the OP will be glad to know the info about both Google Images and Google Shopping, since we don't know about which he was inquiring.

[pburn]

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@livadia wrote:

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

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@livadia wrote:

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

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That's for Google shopping.

As far as a regular Google search, I don't see where it would make a difference if the background was white or not.

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@kensgiftshop    Yes -- correct.  The white background requirement is in order to have your items show up via a Google Shopping search.  That's the Google search that most *sellers* who want to find buyers are concerned about and no doubt why the blog post the OP read brought up the fact that a white background is required.

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Do you think the three photos of Mtssa. Shelob 'Tolkien' would be considered to have a white background?

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CASMAE_enUS642US643&biw=1366&bih=654&tbm=shop&ei=uk7IWsbeI-vVjwTr...

Or this Beallara Big Shot 'Hilo Sparkle'?

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CASMAE_enUS642US643&biw=1366&bih=654&tbm=shop&ei=xU_IWr77COzjjwT0...

Maybe the backgrounds are white enough for Google Shopping, but they don't look very white to me. Oh, well. Who knows?

[kensgiftshop]

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@livadia wrote:

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Yes -- correct.  The white background requirement is in order to have your items show up via a Google Shopping search.  That's the Google search that most *sellers* who want to find buyers are concerned about and no doubt why the blog post the OP read brought up the fact that a white background is required.

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Thanks.

As many Google searches I've done, I've never paid any attention to the Google Shopping results.

I always thought Google Shopping was listings that were paid to show up in the search results.

[livadia]

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@kensgiftshop wrote:

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@livadia wrote:

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Yes -- correct.  The white background requirement is in order to have your items show up via a Google Shopping search.  That's the Google search that most *sellers* who want to find buyers are concerned about and no doubt why the blog post the OP read brought up the fact that a white background is required.

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Thanks.

As many Google searches I've done, I've never paid any attention to the Google Shopping results.

I always thought Google Shopping was listings that were paid to show up in the search results.

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@kensgiftshop

True, but that doesn't mean eBay listings don't show up there.  At least one of my items listed on eBay currently comes up in a Google Shopping Search and I wasn't the one who paid.

[nc-daydreamer]

I really hope that is not the case.  If it is, I have bought my last item on this site. I refuse to buy from white backgrounds as 98% of the time - that means a dropshipper.  I have learned my lesson.  I feel as if I am being forced to buy elsewhere - and that does not make me a happy camper.  Glad I have regular, repeat customers already because it looks like I might not get any new ones if this fiasco is true as I will not be going "white". I renew my store in May - after 10 years I may give in and give up. Sad.

[kensgiftshop]

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@livadia wrote:

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  At least one of my items listed on eBay currently comes up in a Google Shopping Search and I wasn't the one who paid.

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I'll have to check some of my listings and see if they show up in Google Shopping results.

[livadia]

@nc-daydreamer - eBay has been pushing for "neutral" backgrounds for quite a while now.  Amazon insists on it.

Here's eBay's current recommendations.  Note what the photos they use as examples look like...

http://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/photo-tips.html#photo-requirements

[the_fancy_fox]

Search google shopping for seeds. No white backgrounds. 

[mr_lincoln]

@pburn  Thank you for that comprehensive reply ... another post actually confirms the "Use a solid white, gray, or light colored background" based on Google Shopping Search.

[mr_lincoln]

@livadia

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@livadia wrote:

@pburn

Correct for Google Shopping Search.  See: https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/6142776?hl=en

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Excellent reply and they confirm the following: "Use a solid white, gray, or light colored background".  So using those suggestions items have a better chance of coming up in search or perhaps higher in search.