Keyword Spamming?

[vintagebargainsgalore]

I received an email from eBay during the night saying I was keyword spamming because I put the size of my clothing item in the title.

????

I don't get it. How on earth could anybody consider the size as keyword spamming? The email said to put the size in the description. Yeah. sure. How many people do we think go into advanced setting that searches both title and description? I don't know but I'm betting not many.

My item was tagged "L/XL" which is what I put in the title. The email said that this could mess up someone's search who was shopping for a size Large. Clear as mud to me. I called but of course got a bunch of gobbledygook by someone who, while pleasant and polite, didn't have a clue what I was talking about. 

Anyone had experience with this insanity?

[18704d]

I see why you had to put L/XL in the title.

I also see why eBay (or it's bots) construed it as keyword spamming.

I hope you don't have many items that exact size to list here.

I'd probably not list any again in hopes of not getting a duplicate policy violation.

jmtcw,

Lynn

[itsjustasprain]

I dont think its keyword spamming either - but you are definitely setting yourself up for a SNAD by saying 'L/XL' when the item itself is labeled as L only. Anyone who buys it looking for XL and finds the L label is going to be unhappy - i did see in your description where you thought it should fit an XL as well but that is not going to fly if the buyer files a dispute. Best to just list the size that it is actually labeled as. It sounds like someone reported the listing because I dont see how a bot would detect that.

[vintagebargainsgalore]

Thanks for the timely responses. I'm away from home for a couple of days so can't check but I'm pretty sure it said L/XL on the tag. 

But you're both right  & it's best to cave & not put two sizes in the title anymore even if that's how the item is tagged. Not worth getting my listings pulled. But I will continue to put one size. Surely to goodness that can't be construed as keyword spamming. Sometimes there is no size tag so I wonder what I'm supposed to do in that event? Just leave the size out of the title completely? I've been measuring & using that as my guide for sizing.

Yes, I immediately assumed somebody reported the listing. 😞

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Your "L/XL" means "Large OR Extra Large -- which implies a choice and that you have BOTH sizes. Yes, it is keyword spamming because you are mentioning 2 different sizes and that does mess up the search function.

Now, if you have fixed-price listings with variations and the buyer can select a size on the menu, then that's OK.

Bottom line: If you are offering ONLY "large" then say Large. If you are offering ONLY "extra large" then say Extra Large. But not both. Yes, I understand when a physical tag on the product provides conflicting information -- a few manufacturers do that but to eBay it's not the norm and is confusing to the buyer. I suggest you pick a single size, clearly show the L/XL tag and provide actual measurements. Mention that the sizing is unique to the manufacturer and that potential buyers should compare the measurements with whatever size they already own. For clothing, fit is very subjective -- slim vs. loose, form-fitting vs. generous. For other items, it might mean "yes, it works" or "no, it doesn't work" -- like standard 1" and 1.5" drain stoppers that don't fit my 1.25" drain!

~~C~~

[luckythewinner]

But you're both right  & it's best to cave & not put two sizes in the title anymore even if that's how the item is tagged.

IMHO eBay used a very reasonable assumption that a garment has a single size, and will flag any listings that have multiple sizes in the title. Perfect? no, but will cover the vast majpority of cases.  The fact that they pulled a listing that showed two sizes for a single garment is not nearly as baffling to me as it seems to be to you.

Sometimes there is no size tag so I wonder what I'm supposed to do in that event? Just leave the size out of the title completely?

As long as you state a single size, I fail to see what your concern would be.

[a_c_green]

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@duchess-at-speakeasy wrote:
I suggest you pick a single size, clearly show the L/XL tag and provide actual measurements.

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Hear, hear. I can't recall ever seeing a clothing tag that read both L and XL, but that's just me. I think it's a great idea to post a closeup of the clothing tag for every item, and then list it by that designation only.

That is, if it's labeled as L but in your experience they run large and XL is a possibility as well, you could say that, but I really think you're introducing a bit of a gray area by doing so. I'd look at the tag, photograph the tag, and list it only according to the information on the tag.

NOTE: I am a guy, and have been reliably informed by those who know such things that I have no fashion taste whatsoever.

[vintagebargainsgalore]

I've had quite a few items through the years with tags that said XS/S or S/M or M/L or L/XL. Not the norm, but yes, they do exist. In fact, I have a couple of tops hanging in my closet now that are tagged M/L. They're a little snug so maybe I should shop for L/XL. lol

eBay listings in the clothing category, women's anyway, has scads of titles with this type of size. A search for "vintage nightgown" brings up a bunch of titles with two sizes right on the first page. M/L, L/XL, Medium Large, etc etc etc.

Not saying that makes it right with eBay because others are doing it, just sayin' that my title really didn't seem outrageous or anything.

But I've gone in & changed all of my titles that had two sizes anyway. I've been selling for 14 years on my own & several years before that with my daughter & have titled thousands of listings & never once had a buyer complain about the way I titled the size. That being said, there's always a first time so better to be safe than sorry, for sure.

Thanks for your input.

[rixstuff]

I have had so many items that the measurements just didnt match the label (for example tiniest XXL you ever saw!)  So I put "Label says XXL but runs very small -  go by measurements for best fit."  OR you may want to put the measurements (28x21) or S then clarify "Label says but this is way too small to be XXL so dont go by the label."

[vintagebargainsgalore · Accepted solution]

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@rixstuff wrote:

I have had so many items that the measurements just didnt match the label (for example tiniest XXL you ever saw!)  So I put "Label says XXL but runs very small -  go by measurements for best fit."  OR you may want to put the measurements (28x21) or S then clarify "Label says but this is way too small to be XXL so dont go by the label."

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Yeah, I know what you mean. Vintage is really tricky because sizes are so much different than they are now. I remember getting all excited when I read somewhere that Marilyn Monroe wore a size 12 until I read the measurements that a size 12 fit back in the day. lol

I measure very carefully & every description has precise measurements. If the item is tagged one size but measures to fit another size as well, I say that too & almost always caution people to go by the measurements rather than the tag size. Even in today's clothing, sizes can vary widely. 

My buyers come first with me. I always want to treat them as I want to be treated by another eBay seller when I buy something here, which I frequently do. So I'd never knowingly do anything to make their experience with me anything but positive. 

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[d-k_treasures]

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@duchess-at-speakeasy wrote:
Your "L/XL" means "Large OR Extra Large -- which implies a choice and that you have BOTH sizes. Yes, it is keyword spamming because you are mentioning 2 different sizes and that does mess up the search function.


~~C~~

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L/XL means Large TO Extra Large. It wouldn't be keyword spamming on anywhere but here. 

So if you go to buy, lets say mens underwear, what do you say when a L is size 36-38?

Or closer to the point - would 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, etc. be keyword spamming because you want something that fits a 12 month old, which can encompass 2 of the basic sizes listed?

[rixstuff]

Put in your listing EXACTLY what is on the label but also put "Go by measurements for best fit" and maybe a "runs small for an XL" or something similar.  And of course provide the measurements.

[rolenboy01]

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@rixstuff wrote:

I have had so many items that the measurements just didnt match the label (for example tiniest XXL you ever saw!)  So I put "Label says XXL but runs very small -  go by measurements for best fit."  OR you may want to put the measurements (28x21) or S then clarify "Label says but this is way too small to be XXL so dont go by the label."

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So should you forgo showing the tag at that point or go as far as removing it? I've had items fit smaller and larger than stated so I listing them as the size they measured and gave measurements but had buyers just look at the tag and immediately want to return the item without even trying the garment on, I also do not feel we should be punished for items that say L/XL on the tag etc, it also seems some people cannot use common sense with it comes to an item being marked a certain size but is larger for underlayering IE it's made to be worn in cold weather and will fit larger but they go ahead anyway and low and behold the item fits large and they act surprised even though measurements were given and it's mentioned the item is meant for underlayering.

[rixstuff]

Also consider that many like new or NWT items being sold off instead of worn are specifically because they were missized and the original buyer couldnt wear it themselves.  That is really my NUMBER ONE reason for selling off my own clothes (I will sell off the clothes of others for ANY reason).  I think you may be on to something though with removing the tag (the size tag only please, leave material or washing instructions and brand name on).

[*flowerfarmer*]

I had the same thing happen yesterday. I was chastised for listing an item as XS/S when this was the size on the label. Having seen this kind of sizing all of my life it certainly didn’t occur to me that it was unusual. How is it any more unusual than a child’s item sized 4-6. Are we supposed to pick one of those sizes?

I called immediately to find out what the problem was as I had never encountered this issue and I was told many things. I was told only to list only one size in the title. I was told this was found by a person. I was told it was not the result of a report. I have no idea if these were all in fact accurate. But I do know that if I listed only one size than I would cut out half my potential buyers. 

I realize that this easy answer fits the computerized search world, but I am not convinced that this is a real problem. As mentioned above, do we consider children’s clothing sizes spamming?  They are often multiple sizes. The computer system must be able to deal with them. 

When we search for things to buy  on eBay the search results always give us items that are completely different sizes from what we searched for. I always find this frustrating. If I’m searching for a Large why would I want to see the item that I want in Extra-Small?  Or worse yet, if I’m looking for a size 9 shoe and it shows me the shoe I adore in size 7.   Totally useless information. This happens all the time and it is eBay that gives us these results. I think listing an item as XS/S is a whole lot less confusing and distressing to buyers than this common eBay practice.  I just don’t get why what I did is censured and what they do is just fine. 

I especially don’t understand penalizing a seller for this. Is there no person in all of eBay who can look at this and say, this was clearly an honest misunderstanding, not an attempt to keyword spam? 

In my situation the listing was removed two hours after I called to inquire about what was wrong and the reason given was unauthorized trademark violation!!  Yup, that’s right. The sizing issue was shoved aside and I was told it really wasn’t a problem.  The REAL problem now was that they couldn’t verify the authenticity of my item.  Oh my gosh. 

I only sell my own belongings. I bought this myself at a mass market retail store locally and there should be no question that it was authentic because I included very clear pictures of the tags. But they say it might be fake. It’s a lovely lingerie set and no one would bother faking an elaborate set like this. It wasn’t listed for a high price. I am so mystified I just don’t know what to think. I’ve been on eBay for 19 years and this has got to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve encountered, and I’ve seen some doozies. 

Uncortunately the listing is gone so no one can look at it. (I didn’t expect it to be removed as I was told it was a mistake and that it would be taken care of within the hour.) The title and description contained no trigger words. It was straightforward and the only issue was including XS/S in the title, although this was the size of the item. 

Since yesterday I’ve carefully read the listing policies and can say that I see listings everyday that flagrantly violate major policies. Some sellers habitually do it with every one of their hundreds of listings.  Yet I bet they don’t get flagged. Why is this?