How the "Bleep" does the algorithm select the chosen ones

[goldrushfinds]

I am frustrated beyond belief. I closely watch a number of competing clothing sellers, with some selling almost nothing and others going gangbusters. You look up their sold items and by sales history and listing to selling ratios they should be poor sellers. Yet they sell and for good prices. It seems to me that when you have a streak of sales Ebay rewards you with visibility. Once that streat slows or ends or are no longer favored and have to start all over. Also does offering "free shipping/returns" do any good. I am so tired of the feast and famine game on this site. The algorithm is like a mysterious ruler who will either give you riches or strike you down. From what I see, not a lot of logic as to what sells and what doesn't (at least  in clothing). 

[gracieallen01]

"How the "Bleep" does the algorithm select the chosen ones"

I'm sure it is all well researched and very scientific and convoluted. 

However, it could also be as simple as blindfolding a bot, turning it around 3 time, pointing it towards 4 vats, giving it a push and letting it go to pick out as many names as it sees fit.

[reallynicestamps]

You left out the phase of the moons -- of Jupiter.

It seems to me that when you have a streak of sales Ebay rewards you with visibility.

Yup.

But seriously, consistent sales, pictures, no Disputes on record, use of Item Specifics, fast shipping, accepting returns, free returns (which is different and in my opinion  stupid), location (US sellers do get preference over us foreigners), price (but there is a Search called Highest Price plus Shipping).

[gwzcomps]

According to some people eBay doesn't manipulate how people's stuff shows on the site 💩💩

[luckythewinner]

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I closely watch a number of competing clothing sellers, with some selling almost nothing and others going gangbusters.

Watching "competing clothing sellers" means nothing unless they are selling what you sell. you do. 

Also does offering "free shipping/returns" do any good.

eBay has a check box to filter by "free shipping" and another to filter by "free returns". If the buyer checks either of those box and you do not have it, your item will not be seen. 

You look up their sold items and by sales history and listing to selling ratios they should be poor sellers

Listing to selling ratios mean a lot less now that everything is Good Til Cancelled. When ZI look at your account, I see 238 items listed, 226 sold, and 0 completed listings that did not sell.  

From what I see, not a lot of logic as to what sells and what doesn't (at least  in clothing). 

Of course there is no logic, because clothing - unlike iPhones or furnace filters - is primarily about individual taste. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, the general consensus these days is that traffic is a strong factor in Search results. The more traffic your listings enjoy, the higher the placement. Traffic as a determining aspect doesn't necessarily favor the best sellers. Anyone with a pulse who can attract attention to their listings can come out on top, even if their usual practices are subpar. (Sellers like that may see an initial boost in sales in the short run, but would eventually have a greater chance of failing over the long haul.)

Ebay has something to say about Search placement. For those interested, see the links below:

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/boost-traffic-with-seo.html

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/listing-best-practices.html

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/selling-policies/selling-practices-policy?id=4346