Item Specifics

[mynewfindstore]

With the complexity of using the new listing tool taking so much more time, I have a question.  We have heard for a long time now that sellers need to fill in ALL of the recommended item specifics to have more visibility.  Is this true or are we just wasting our time filling in all this unnecessary information?  I mean so many of these item specifics do not really apply to the clothing or accessories that we sell!  

We are trying to list more to sell more but there is only so much time in the day.  I hope someone has a definitive answer to my question!  Thanks!

[hartungcards]

You're just wasting your time.

[farmalljr]

It helps IF the IS you are filling out is relevant, otherwise if you are making stuff up or putting something in that's not an option from the drop down, then that is a waste of time and hurting search results. 

[mynewfindstore]

Then why is eBay urging everyone to fill all this stuff out??

[hartungcards]

Because they know how annoying it is.  Just ignore it.

[heckofagame]

You only need to fill in the required items specifics. I don't think most buyers know how to filter specifics, so spending a bunch of time filling in unnecessary info might be time spent better elsewhere. 

Adding more specifics can be advantageous in certain situations. Check out your best competitor and see what he or she is doing. 

[mynewfindstore]

They really hate us!  They aren't letting me get the sales I should be getting either....I am SO glad to be cross-listing!

[carolynnq]

I agree that it's a waste of time for sellers. And, as a buyer, I hate it when the item specifics box is huge and filled with irrelevant information.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Here is a definitive answer, and it is based on what ebay says:

No. You are NOT required to fill in all the Recommended IS

In fact, we have been told for a very long time that the ONLY item specifics we MUST fill in are the required IS. There is absolutely NO need to fill in all recommended IS...ebay has been very, very clear on this. 

That said, if you see Recommended IS that make sense for your listing, fill them in. But stop wasting your time trying to fill them all in....

Oh, and you do not need to fill them in with Does Not Apply. Just ignore them if they don't apply to your item

[motortown_inc]

You are asking a good question, I find  as you have that some of the specifics, even the required ones do not always line up with the product. Especially so in the categories I sell in. I have also wondered how they affect searches by buyers.

[reallynicestamps]

sellers need to fill in ALL of the recommended item specifics to have more visibility.

Yes and no.

These are Recommended not Required.

And the more you can fill the more likely you are to catch a buyer's Search keywords

But Recommended is still voluntary.

[1786davycrockett]

@mynewfindstore 

"We have heard for a long time now that sellers need to fill in ALL of the recommended item specifics to have more visibility.  Is this true or are we just wasting our time filling in all this unnecessary information? "

In the words of Colonel Sherman T. Potter (U. S. Army, 4077th M.A.S.H. Unit, Retired):  "Horse hockey."

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I have NEVER heard that.  The correct answer is what @my-cottage-books-and-antiques  & always has been.   It is fine to leave them blank if they are not required & don't apply.  That has ALWAYS been true, from day 1 of IS's.   Also, note that if one doesn't apply, just leave it blank, do not enter "na" or anything else in the field.

[meme6253]

It is a lot of unnecessary Info.!, & A Huge waste of Time, & It causes problems in search, But we are supposed to do it, But so many do not!, It Needs Fixing!!