Is this an example of a Search & Browse Manipulation

[dolldesigns4u]

A seller is listing an auction for a hat only.  But in the title, the seller also adds the words "clothes" and "dress".  Is this a listing violation??

[rakdistribution]

I would consider it more like a poor use of SEO on behalf of the seller. 

[dolldesigns4u]

But a hat is not a dress.  I guess you could consider it clothes though.  What is a SEO??

[dolldesigns4u]

And I would be very angry if I was looking for a dress, and an auction popped up for just a hat, something I was not looking for at all.....

[watchingbands]

keyword spamming. So yeah search and browse manipulation. Was looking for Tag Heuer watches, and some other brand came up. The title said " like Tag Heuer". I asked what this has to do with tag heuer. He said that it's simliar and people buying tag heuers would be interested in it, so he's trying to get their attention. he told me to just move on . Sellers wasting buyers time, is what that is.

[dolldesigns4u]

You can use "similar to, and "like a brand name".  But I don't think someone can say "a hat is like a dress" or "a hat is similar to a dress".  BTW, someone from Ebay posted here in this thread, that it is not a search and manipulation.  Hmmm.....

[emerald40]

---

@dolldesigns4u wrote:

A seller is listing an auction for a hat only.  But in the title, the seller also adds the words "clothes" and "dress".  Is this a listing violation??

---

Worse, it is a snad waiting to happen when a buyer sees the title and thinks he is getting clothes and a dress as well.

[muttlymob · Accepted solution]

---

@dolldesigns4u wrote:

You can use "similar to, and "like a brand name". 

---

Not if you use the brand name.  That is about as clear a definition of keyword spamming possible.

Titles and descriptions should only describe/refer to the actual item.  Using keywords that do not describe the actual item (such as "Like . . . ." or "Inspired by . . ." or "Similar to . . . " are not allowed.

Search and browse manipulation policy:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/search-browse-manipulation-policy?id=4243

click on the "read our full policy" button.

expand the Brand Names and the Keyword Spamming specifics.

Note:  under the Keyword Spamming Not Allowed section is this example, that shows your example of "hat clothes dress" is not allowed -

Keywords in any part of a listing or product that aren't related to the item you're selling. Here are some examples:

• If you're selling a shirt, the title can't say "Nike shirt size M – shoes, hat, shorts"

[watchingbands]

---

@dolldesigns4u wrote:

You can use "similar to, and "like a brand name".  But I don't think someone can say "a hat is like a dress" or "a hat is similar to a dress".  BTW, someone from Ebay posted here in this thread, that it is not a search and manipulation.  Hmmm.....

---

Ugh. No, you can't. If anything, you can say a hat is simliar to a dress FAR easier than to be allowed to say similiar to or like a brand name.

[Anonymous]

I could see dress as referencing the style of a hat. The seller used both dress and clothes then it's Key Word Spamming.

[castlemagicmemories]

SEO~Search Engine Optimization

Seller is throwing everything he can into the title in hopes that those just searching for clothes or dress will decide they want a hat as well.  

It is keyword spamming and search manipulation.  

[saha_8051]

---

@dolldesigns4u wrote:

You can use "similar to, and "like a brand name".  But I don't think someone can say "a hat is like a dress" or "a hat is similar to a dress".  BTW, someone from Ebay posted here in this thread, that it is not a search and manipulation.  Hmmm.....

---

You can use FITS.

For example fits iPhone or fits Barbie, "inspired by" "similar to"  "like" Etc are considered search and browse manipulation

[bigoljim47]

I don't understand all this fuss. A men's shirt can be casual or dress. Pants can be casual or dress. When I list a shirt in the mens clothing I sometimes put in if its a dress shirt or casual. I have never had a buyer contact me thinking a dress was included.

[ted_200]

---

@dolldesigns4u wrote:

A seller is listing an auction for a hat only.  But in the title, the seller also adds the words "clothes" and "dress".  Is this a listing violation??

---

I'd have to see the listing to see the context, but that is generally keyword spam which is considered Search & Browse Manipulation. 

eBay doesn't care, they won't enforce it.

And it won't matter with "product-based shopping".  "Finding" will be based on tying the listing to a Product Page, it won't matter what the seller puts in the title, the "buy box" page won't even show the seller's title anyhow.

[bubbleman2010]

You can't manipulate something thats broken to start with. Sellers are just shotgun titling items in hopes something gets a knockdown....