Best Match is the standard sort order for search results. It evaluates items and sellers based on a number of factors that are important to buyers, including how well the item matches what the buyer’s looking for, its price and postagecost, and the seller’s track record. If you’re a seller, there are important things you can do to bring your listings closer to the top of the search results.
Make your listing relevant to the buyer’s search
In search results, we want to display the listings that most closely match what the buyer is looking for. When you list your item there are things you can do to make your item relevant to the right buyer's search, as follows.
Write an effective item title |
Include descriptive words that are important for your item: the brand, designer, year, size, color, material, or even terms such as “antique.”
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Select relevant categories |
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Provide as many item specifics as possible |
List your item’s features, attributes, and condition. We use these item specifics to help determine which ones are most relevant to the buyer’s search. Don’t skip important information, such as Condition. If your item is new but you don’t specify it, buyers who narrow their search results to look for only new items won’t see your listing.
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Use product details from our catalogue |
If your item matches a product in our catalogue, you can list your item using product details from our catalogue. When buyers search for products that are in our catalogue matching products appear first in search results.
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Focus on customer satisfaction
Focusing on customer satisfaction can get your listings promoted in search results, in addition to generating repeat business. Sellers who provide great customer service qualify for a raised standing in search results. The better your customer satisfaction, the bigger your boost in search results.
When it comes to customer satisfaction, your buyers’ opinions count. To determine who provides the best service, we take into account your detailed seller ratings (DSRs) and buyer satisfaction rating.
Detailed seller ratings (DSRs) let your buyers evaluate you anonymously on four criteria:
Buyer satisfaction ratings measure your customer service based on several factors. Your rating is lowered if you receive negative or neutral Feedback or low detailed seller ratings. It’s also lowered if a buyer opens a case with you if an item you sold was not received or was significantly not as described.
To see where you rank in customer satisfaction, use your Seller Dashboard to monitor your detailed seller ratings and buyer satisfaction rating. Check your Seller Dashboard Summary to see if you qualify for a raised search standing. (Seller Dashboard is available to all sellers with 10 or more detailed seller ratings (DSRs) within the last 12 months.)
Consider postage costs
When you think about prices, consider postage costs as part of the equation. In search results, we give a boost to items that offer free postage. If your postage charges are excessive, your search standing will be lowered. To see how buyers rate your P&P charges and dispatch time, look at the detailed seller ratings in your Seller Dashboard.
When deciding how to price items, look at similar listings. Offering low prices on fixed price listings can spark interest in your items. If you often sell the same items, you can build on your recent sales history to improve your search standing.
Build recent sales for fixed price items
Your “recent sales” is the number of unique buyers who bought items from your fixed price listings. If you frequently sell the same items, take advantage of your sales volume to receive a boost in search results.
Here's how it works:
If your fixed price listing sells successfully, you’ll place higher in search results when you relist.
If you use a multi-quantity listing to sell several items at once, you’ll receive a boost in search results as your items sell. Learn more about selling multiple items in a single listing.
If you list variations of a product in one listing, the listing can also get increased visibility in search results as your items sell.
Here are more ways to build up your recent sales:
Relist your fixed price items |
When you need to sell the same item again, relist the item rather than creating a new listing. When relisting, don't remove the item condition or change the category.
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Use a multi-quantity listing to sell identical items |
Use a multi-quantity listing and list the items at a fixed price. Give yourself time to build recent sales by choosing the 30-day duration. Use a multi-quantity listing with variations to sell different versions of the same product; for example, a T-shirt in different sizes and colours.
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How do items appear in search results?
Do all my items appear in search results? |
In search results, we include all items that match the buyer’s search.
Listing multi-quantity items with variations will help you to list more items that may show up in a variety of searches. Example: You list a T-shirt in red, green and blue in one listing. A buyer searching for a red T-shirt will see your red item in search results. Similarly, a buyer searching for a green shirt will see your green item in search results. |
Which listing format should I use to increase my visibility in search results? |
Each page of search results displays both auction-style and fixed price items.
Here are some tips to help you decide which format to use:
If your item is unique or you’re unsure of its value, consider using the auction-style format. If you’re selling multiple identical items, consider listing them at a fixed price using a multi-quantity listing. If you’re not sure how to list your item, try some sample searches to see how your listing would compare to those from other sellers.
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Among auction-style listings, which items receive a higher search standing? |
Items that are ending soon are given an additional boost in search results. |
Among fixed price listings, which items receive a higher search standing? |
Items with a good recent sales history are given an additional boost. |
Can I use a listing upgrade to improve my search standing? |
Featured First gives your items additional visibility in search results. With Featured First, your item appears in the special Featured section above the general Picture Gallery. Featured First is only available to Top-rated sellers.
Learn more about listing upgrades. |
How do I gain additional visibility for my Store or listing? |
With AdCommerce your ad (for your listing or Store) is visible to eBay users in the Sponsored results section of search results. You can run reports to see how your ads are doing. You pay only when buyers click your ad in the search results. |
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
