Multicolor or state each color in title and item specifics?

[b86fiero]

When creating a title and filling in item specifics for a multicolor item do you use the term multicolor or do you state each individual color?

If stating each color in the title do you use commas between them?

In item specifics when stating each individual color do you use a comma between colors?

Do people actually search for multicolor anything or is it more common to, for instance, search for a red dress or a blue and green floral bikini?

[mam98031]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

It's my understanding the symbols can (but not 100% of the time) cause issues with eBay search, Google and Bing.

While you can still pull items up in search when you free text in the color IS field, you cannot pull them up with search filters.

In other words, your IS says free texted: blue, green, yellow

When a buyer searches floral dress (or whatever you're selling), if they want to narrow the results for floral dress using search filters on the left - they choose size M and condition new and color multicolor

Your listing will not appear because the buyer filtered by multicolor and your listing had free text in the IS color field.

Or if the buyer filters by blue, again your listing will not appear when buyer uses the color filter.

So using multicolor or the dominant color means you have a better shot at appearing in search when the buyer is using those search filters.

Hope that makes sense?

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Not like it did years ago.  I use ~ often in my title as we as commas or + sign or a -.  It is possible that some characters may cause an issue, I just know these do not.

[mam98031]

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@b86fiero wrote:

Thanks again for your insight.

Dessert time here - off to eat a Cannoli  - yum!

I'll check tomorrow for any other comments. I find this topic very interesting.

BJ

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WAIT for ME !!!!

[b86fiero]

Thanks mam98031,

Your comments are very helpful.

Regarding the use of the + symbol in your titles mentioned above, is it possible the eBay guidelines linked in post 7 above are now outdated due to the many site updates and the continued eBay's AI search learning curve? Perhaps the use of symbols in titles has become more common so they don't have as much impact on search results as in the past?  Maybe they don't give Search a hiccup and cause a stop or hesitation when carrying out the search.

(I don't anyone who searches for a symbol, unless maybe for a part # in eBay Motors). 

I do recall a discussion a couple of years ago on the Monthly Chat With eBay Staff where the use of symbols in titles was delved into a bit. I think it was mainly discussing the use of commas in titles and how they might positively affect search results. I can't find that Monthly Chat but I seem to recall some comments from eBay Community Staff (Tristan, Tyler?) that listings utilizing commas in the title could/would increase the odds of reaching more potential buyers and showing in more search results.

Title example: Container with lid, storage, craft supplies, screws, nuts, spice, travel.

The listing could/would show in simple search results for a buyer simply typing in "storage container" and "spice container" and "travel container" etc. (without drilling down to BIN, lowest price, location).

Of course item specifics in the listing could mitigate some of that, but who knows for those listing where sellers don't bother to fill out IS or include the bare minimum required.

LOL I do remember seeing quite a number of listings titles with commas after that. Most of them did not leave a space after the comma but ran it all together. "Container with lid,storage,craft supplies,screws,nuts,spice,travel 

On the question of multicolor versus individual colors in titles, would search results be manipulated in a similar manner.

Title example: Kitchen towels set of 2 floral yellow, green, pink.   (Not trying to sell anything here - example only).

Would that listing show in simple search results for a buyer typing just "yellow floral towels" in the search box, or "green floral towels", or  "pink towels" etc.?   (Without the buyer drilling down to BIN, lowest price, location, etc.). And yes, that simple search would return thousands of results.

I know many savvy buyers use all the bells and whistles to narrow down search results to hopefully find what they are looking for but many buyers don't or don't know how or in which order to select the options. 

My example would pertain to the buyer who comes on thinking grandma wants some new pink kitchen towels so that's what they search for.

I know I'm way over thinking this but I do find this topic and the comments and opinions offered very interesting.

[b86fiero]

I agree that the use of some symbols in a title can make it easier to read. Gives the eyes a rest between words. 

I had a lot of listings where ~ appearing in the title of jigsaw puzzles made sense to me.  

[mam98031]

@b86fiero 

I never said anyone actually searches for a symbol, I'm unsure as to why you would say that.  Sometimes symbols make a title easier to read, which is why I modestly use them.  

Commas do not hurt the searches.  But if you feel strongly about it, don't use them.

No the used of actual colors in a title is not a breach of the search manipulation rule.  That rule is mostly for inappropriate use of brand names.

I'm not sure of your question regarding the towels.  It is never a good idea to repeat words in a title.  It not only is a waste of space, the Google search doesn't like them.

And yes, you are way over thinking this and getting into places that simply don't matter.  But I respect you are doing it in an effort to better understand.

[b86fiero]

You stated that you often use ~ in a title as we(ll) as commas or + sign or -. (post 16).  I didn't mean to imply that you stated someone would search for a symbol. 

As part of a paragraph with questions I stated that I did not know of anyone who searches for symbols, except for maybe in eBay motors. Such as part #0000000.  My point being most symbols would not often be used in search. 

I am just trying to understand if the use of symbols in a title has a negative, positive or neutral effect on search results.

Sorry for any confusion.

[mam98031]

Depends on how you look at it.  If the symbols add value by making it easier to read, that is a good thing.  Often running all your words together is hard on the eyes.

Oh and I never have more than three words in my title that are all caps.  There was a time when Google did not like titles in all caps or too many caps.  Three words is just my personal rule, it seems to work well.  I put the most important words in caps.

You are welcome to look at some of my listings just to see what I do.