We are testing a reduced set of item specifics in the listing flow

[selling_team@ebay]

We’ve heard from our sellers that item specifics is one of the most complex parts of our listing experience. 

As a part of simplifying the listing flow, we are testing a reduced set of item specifics, optimized for the selling and buying experience. As a result, in select categories, some sellers may see fewer item specifics to fill out when creating a new listing on web or mobile. We’re actively monitoring performance and taking seller feedback into consideration.    

We’re constantly evaluating how to make listing on eBay easier and will keep you informed about any site-wide listing changes. Feel free to leave feedback in a comment below or via our survey during the listing process.  

As always, thank you for selling on eBay. 

Update as of 10/16/23:

Thank you to all sellers who shared their feedback. We have listened to your concerns and ended the test. We will continue to work on improving item specifics and keep the community informed of any site-wide changes.

The full list of item specifics will automatically reflect on your account for future listings. If you wish to add more item specifics to your previously published listings, the full list of item specifics is available when you revise your listing.

[anto-nick]

I just want to add my voice to the people who think this is terrible. As a shoe seller, not even having the option to put shoe width in the item specifics???? Just terrible. Clearly not thought through. The buyer on ebay is not like the buyer anywhere else. This is where buyers go to find very specific things that they want. A brooks beast at medium width can command $40 while a 4E commands $120. A made in USA pair of Vans can command $140 while made in China commands $20. This is going to hurt buyers and sellers looking for hard to find listings. But ebay has already proved they do not care one bit about those type of sellers and buyers. 

[janet9988]

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selling_team@ebay wrote:

We’ve heard from our sellers that item specifics is one of the most complex parts of our listing experience. 

As a part of simplifying the listing flow, we are testing a reduced set of item specifics, optimized for the selling and buying experience. As a result, in select categories, some sellers may see fewer item specifics to fill out when creating a new listing on web or mobile. We’re actively monitoring performance and taking seller feedback into consideration.    

We’re constantly evaluating how to make listing on eBay easier and will keep you informed about any site-wide listing changes. Feel free to leave feedback in a comment below or via our survey during the listing process.  

As always, thank you for selling on eBay. 

---

Do not worry sellers... next month they will MAKE you add those same item specifics back. 😎

[meme6253]

My point for it, Is that these things can be fixed, So why don't they fix them, Why do you have to ask or request, Sellers have been complaining about this for a long time,They must know, yet they don't bother to fix it!

[meme6253]

That just adds to the Frustration.

[mtgraves7984]

I'm one of millions of sellers - not even a face in the crowd.

@wastingtime101 

FWIW... you're often the wind beneath my wings. I thank you for your commonsensical insights, instructions, etc. 😊

[partsdepot_uk]

So let me get this right, the issue of missing item specifics that we have been facing for a month now and that ebay CS has told us was a technical issue is now being sold as an attempt to quote 'make listing on eBay easier'!!??

You seriously couldn't make this up! For years ebay have been telling sellers to fill out as many item specifics (many of them completely irrelevant to the item being listed) so that the listing features higher in the search results.

Now they are hiding the specifics at the point of creating the listing and then saying they are missing at the point of listing!

So this extra revision of each listing to add the item specifics that weren't showing when creating the listing is supposed to be making it easier??

Do us a favour ebay, let go of all your staff who suggest and implement these 'improvements' and give us back the selling platform of around ten years ago (when it worked) please!

The Germans have a word for this which we could also do with in English:

Verschlimmbesserung - an attempted improvement that only makes things worse.

[agroovylife]

This is incredibly annoying, it is taking me twice the time to list because the item specifics are not there when creating the listing and then I have to go back into the item after it is listed to add all the specifics. Why can you not just hide these as before. What were you thinking friends?

[az93]

I hope you no longer ask how long the cup of coffee will stay hot. Some item specifics are laughable.

[vintagecraze50]

Well, the argument at first was that buyers needed MAXIMUM item specifics so they could find the item. Now they are backtracking on this? Is it because the new AI robot just will not be able to figure out all those specifics when it launches?

[meme6253]

Why? All ways before the Holiday's do they love to MESS things up???

[bill.purvis2012]

Great idea. It works for me. The item specifics was just too detailed. Good title, good description and good pictures is all one needs.  Having sold on Amazon, this sounds fine.  I expect tehy are also gearing up for AI doing more with listings.  It's all good. 

[luxgoods]

Yes the word Testing usually results in Disaster with ebay. They always wait until the 4th quarter to make big changes. Could explain why my sales have come to a screeching halt.

[worldwide_ship]

Ever since they posted this it's like my store has been shut down. No sales, no questions, nothing. I hope they stop testing soon 

[ittybitnot]

 .....CS has told us was a technical issue is now being sold as an attempt to quote 'make listing on eBay easier'!!??

@partsdepot_uk 

As a friend of mine used to say "today's glitch is tomorrow's policy".  These are always sold as "good for you" even when they are not.  Just like the latest "newer smoother checkout"  has been pitched to buyers as implemented  for the buyer's  convenience, when in reality it serves to remove many of their payment options and the ability to combine multiple items for one shipping price.  

It is just eBay's way, making users always question if the seemingly wonky site is issue is a glitch or the start of an intended change. 

[ittybitnot]

Good title, good description and good pictures is all one needs.

@bill.purvis2012 

That was the old days before the search was geared away from providing results from titles/descriptions in favor of item specifics and of course promoted listings.