eBay

valueaddedresource · ‎05-24-2023

Among other things eBay is testing out in search right now, I noticed they have inserted a horizontal scrolling module for Newly Listed items that appears just below the first 4 results (which are reserved for Promoted Listings Advanced).

Not seeing ads in those scrolling slots yet, though I expect that is "coming soon" based on presentations from eBay Open last year.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Changes-To-How-Promoted-Listings-Display-In-Search-Coming-Soon...

One thing I did notice is every item in the horizontal module was also repeated in the regular list of results on page 1, sometimes within 1 or 2 slots...which is not a great buyer experience in my opinion.

Anyone else seeing Newly Listed or other scrolling modules like this in search?

siamjane8 · ‎05-26-2023

I agree with zamo- its one thing to test designs and page layouts but what the left hand of ebay does not realize is that the right hand- algorithms all rely heavily on the data that the left hand keeps changing and screwing up. This causes huge drop-offs in views and sales. This irresponsible fiddling around constantly reeks havoc with the platform and frustrates sellers as we fight for visibility against an algorithm that exceeding shows irrelevant results instead of actual items that we searched for.

I have a great idea- just show us what we search for and you will be amazed at the sales boost we will get- everyone wins!! buyers are happy that they made an easy purchase without fighting through pages of junk and sellers are happy to sell the items and ebay should be happy to start to grow revenue again instead of 2+ years of steady decline............. This is not brain surgery.... with every update and design change- ebay has shown decline instead of growth..... when will someone at ebay understand that it is them that is causing the issues?

valueaddedresource · ‎05-28-2023

Still seeing some searches with the 3 sponsored, then the Newly Listed module, and then another sponsored for this one.

It would be interesting to know if that 4th sponsored ad is Promoted Listings Advanced or Standard and whether that factors into how they are splitting these up or not.

Also worth noting that eBay is clearly not applying this policy to these modules:

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/growth/promoted-listings/promoted-listings-standard

Can the same promoted listing appear in more than one placement on the same set of search results?
No. An individual listing will only appear once in the same set of search results. If your listing is promoted, it will either appear as a promoted listing or an organic listing.

This is the first time I've seen the duplicate be one sponsored and one organic with this test.

chapeau-noir · ‎05-28-2023

@valueaddedresource I'm not seeing the modules yet, but I am seeing duplicates in search. What comes up is the usual 50-60 adds crammed into one listing page, row after row, but they're all the usual headings (similar sponsored, related sponsored, other sponsored from top rated (which has nothing to do with what I'm searching for - I'm not sure someone looking for a black maxi dress under 'gothic' is going to be looking at a fast fashion bright floral dress), explore related sponsored items, related sponsored items, also viewed, then row after row of 'find more'. Then rows of hyperlinks pushing sneakers (?!)

“The illegal we do immediately, the unconstitutional takes a little longer.” - Henry Kissinger

"Wherever law ends, tyranny begins" -John Locke

valueaddedresource · ‎05-28-2023

@chapeau-noir wrote:
@valueaddedresource I'm not seeing the modules yet, but I am seeing duplicates in search. What comes up is the usual 50-60 adds crammed into one listing page, row after row, but they're all the usual headings (similar sponsored, related sponsored, other sponsored from top rated (which has nothing to do with what I'm searching for - I'm not sure someone looking for a black maxi dress under 'gothic' is going to be looking at a fast fashion bright floral dress), explore related sponsored items, related sponsored items, also viewed, then row after row of 'find more'. Then rows of hyperlinks pushing sneakers (?!)

@chapeau-noir my biggest concern with them adding these modules to search results (whether PL or organic) is that eventually it may look like the listing page you described....way too busy with way too many items crammed in, some of which may be of questionable relevance.

So far at least the relevance seems to be ok in that all of the items in the modules do fit for the searches I've done, but the duplication is not a great buyer experience in my opinion.

It's been true for a long time that sorting by price, ending time etc. doesn't follow that policy about not showing promoted and organic in the same search but this is the first time I've personally seen it happening in Best Match as well.

valueaddedresource · ‎05-31-2023

I'm no longer seeing either Newly Listed or Trending Items horizontal scroll bars in either FireFox or Chrome. Anyones else still seeing them or is the test over?

nuclearomen · ‎05-31-2023

they will stop at nothing to cash in with PL, even if that means destroying their already horrid search. It's my hope they do, let them, when they realize all this has created much more loss in revenue they will start to see all this PL stuff has hurt them more then gained them.

The great truth is there isn't one
And it only gets worse since that conclusion...
...There is something about the rigid posture of a proper, authentic blind
As if extended arms reached to pass his blindness onto others.

mcdougle4248 · ‎05-31-2023

@valueaddedresource

I am not seeing either Newly Listed or Trending Items. The test may be over.

shag182 · ‎05-31-2023

@toomuchstuffagain35 wrote:
Yes and I'm in LIST view because that's what I like to see (even though ebay seems to think gallery should be the default for everyone) and it's interrupted by these scrolling galleries. It's annoying as hell.