- General questions
- How much historical (completed items) data can I view?
- Why does eBay Marketplace Research require me to have a Flash plug-in?
- Why do some of my research queries take longer to return results than others?
- I got a message that my research query was "too broad". What does that mean and what do I do?
- Charts and metrics
- What do metrics such as "Average Sold Price" and "Start Price Range" mean?
- What's the difference between an "item" and a "listing"? Why is it important?
- What is the difference between Auction-style and Fixed Price metrics and Shop Inventory items?
- Top searches
- How does the top searches feature work? (Basic/Pro only)
- Can I find out what the top searches are on other eBay sites internationally? (Pro only)
- My Saved Research
How much historical (completed items) data can I view?
The amount of historical data you can view depends on which version of Marketplace Research you are subscribed to. Fast Pass and Basic subscribers can access up to 63 days (9 weeks) of historical data, while Pro subscribers can access to up 91 days (13 weeks) of historical data. Those not subscribed to Marketplace Research can access 15 days of historical data using eBay's free completed listings search feature.
Why does eBay Marketplace Research require me to have a Flash plug-in?
eBay Marketplace Research uses Flash technology to display its charts. We do this to provide a richer, more interactive experience our members, including the ability to mouse over bars and points to see chart values, the ability to switch between bar and line views, and the ability to display two metrics at once on the y-axis. (Pro subscription level only).
Why do some of my research queries take longer to return results than others?
The amount of time required for Marketplace Research to return your results depends on the number of items your query found. This is influenced by both how "broad" your search is, as well as the time period for which you chose to see metrics. For example, a search for "vase" is a broader search that will take longer than a search for "Fenton glass vase". Similarly, searching for data for the "last two months" will take longer than searching for data for the "last two weeks."
I got a message that my research query was "too broad". What does that mean and what do I do?
Occasionally you may enter a query that is too broad (in other words, generates too many results) for Marketplace Research to process. In this case, Marketplace Research will return a message asking that you narrow your search. The best ways to do this is to add keywords to your query to make it more specific, or to select a specific sub-category that you may be interested in.
What do metrics such as "Average Sold Price" and "Start Price Range" mean?
Please see the Marketplace Research metrics definitions for details on how each metric is calculated. On the Marketplace Research page, click the "Definitions" link in the left-hand navigation area.
- What's the difference between an "item" and a "listing"? Why is it important?
- An "item" is the actual product or service that is being sold.
- A "listing" is the ad or page on eBay containing a description of the item(s) being sold, along with postage and payment terms and User ID information. Buyers view listings to decide if they want to bid on or buy an item.
"Item" and "listing" are often used interchangeably (for example, "revise your item" and "revise your listing") because most people sell one item in a listing. However, some people sell multiple, identical items (such as 10 identical DVDs) in the same listing.
Because of multiple item listings, Marketplace Research calculates all metrics based on the item level (unless otherwise specified). For example, the Average Sold Price is calculated based on the final price of each individual item, even if some of them were sold in the same listing.
What's the difference between "Auction and Fixed Price Metrics" and "Store Inventory Metrics"?
Auction and Fixed Price metrics are based on items from listings in Auction-style and Fixed Price format. These are the listings that appear in regular eBay searches and which most buyers are accustomed to. They typically have a fixed listing duration and "expire" within a set time (for example, 7-day listings). Listings in Shop Inventory format appear mainly within sellers' eBay Shops and may or may not have an ending date.
How does the Top Searches feature work? (Basic/Pro only)
The Top Searches feature allows you to see the top 20 keyword searches (if available) either by category or by your own "keyword search." Using the "Category" pull-down menu on the Top Searches page, you can view the Top 20 keyword searches for various category levels. If you enter a specific keyword, however, Top Searches will return the top 20 keywords "related" to your keyword. For example, a query for "shoes" may return related search terms such as "trainers", "Nike shoes", "womens shoes", etc. The results are based on actual user keyword searches on eBay, with results updated at least weekly.
Can I find out what the Top Searches are on other eBay sites internationally? (Pro only)
Yes. Marketplace Research Pro subscribers are able to see the top searches on various eBay sites around the world by simply selecting another country in the "Site" drop-down menu.
How many research queries can I save?
Fast Pass and Basic subscribers are allowed to save up to 10 queries. Pro subscribers are allowed to save up to 100 queries.
What is the "My Items" research query?
The "My Items" saved query appears by default for Basic and Pro subscribers. This query returns data for all items that you are either currently selling or have sold within the last 63 days (for Basic) or 91 days (for Pro). Use this feature to quickly understand your own selling activity on eBay.
Can I remove the "My Items" research query?
No, the "My Items" query cannot be removed. However, it also does not count against your saved query limit.
