Comments on: Best Match Secrets Part 1: Getting found

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:51:15 +0000

Wirly, wow, those three links tell the whole story, don’t they?

eBay’s results look like a dog’s breakfast compared with the other 2 sites.

By: whirly

whirly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:47:34 +0000

I tried to help my dad by a nintendo dsi for my mum last night.

We looked at 3 sites: eBay/Amazon/Play

Amazon – Search Term – Nintendo DSI
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_4_4?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ninetendo+dsi&x=0&y=0&sprefix=nine

Play – Search Term – Nintendo DSI
http://www.play.com/Search.aspx?searchtype=allproducts&searchstring=nintendo+dsi&page=search&pa=search&go.x=0&go.y=0

eBay – Search Term – Nintendo DSI
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=nintendo+dsi&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Have a guess which site he didn’t buy one on.

By: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:52:41 +0000

I think you’re right, and that’s due to how eBay order search results – more on that in tomorrows installment

By: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:50:43 +0000

If it’s Jeans you can have a “Colour” and an “Exact Colour” item specific. I’d recommend using both – e.g. Blue/Navy Blue, Red/Scarlet etc

You want to be found so using red is a must, but you can specify the exact colour and include “Scarlet” in your title for clarity.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:01:57 +0000

Interesting article Chris, looking forward to the next part.

But it does beg the question…..

“Why didn’t ebay explain this when they introduced best match?”

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:28:08 +0000

I’m not sure but I keep finding irrelevant items right at the top of searches for items I’m looking for – and it’s the item specifics that seem to put them there, not the listing title keywords.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:17:33 +0000

I’m sure people are trying “item specifics” spamming but wouldn’t it have detrimental results to your search placing, as you would appear in search but not get a sale, which would move you down?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:09:16 +0000

Interesting read, thanks. I personally feel that item specifics carry too much weight and often return items in the search that aren’t relevant. I see item specifics spamming becoming the new keyword spamming.

It does amaze me how many sellers don’t fill them in though.

By: whirly

whirly — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:28:03 +0000

Good stuff, thanks Chris.

Have to say we are selling alot of stuff via auction lately, not happenned in years.

Auctions appear to be getting far more pressence in search, think I prefer more BINS tbh but if it sells, it sells. Don’t care what it’s called.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:36:40 +0000

Unfortunately some categories are still flooded with spam listings (in fact even more so than before best match). For example Fine Jewellery http://bit.ly/11gf4h
When “Best Match” was first introduced the ratio of “Buy it now’s” to “Auctions” was higher (in this category), which in my opinion was better.

By: David Brackin

David Brackin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:28:32 +0000

Nice article and very good to separate the concepts of Search and BestMatch.

There is, of course, a fine line between search optimisation, keyword spamming and item misdescription: To take your example a buyer might return on the basis that the jeans really are SCARLET and not RED. (Yes – ridiculous!) Whilst not this exact instance, we have had very similar reasons for returns. We’re happy to accept no quibble returns, but some buyers feel they have to justify their change of heart!

Is it worth mentioning some of the technical aspects of the search? For example how hyphens and plurals are treated in search — ie will a search for “chair” return armchair, arm-chair, chairs etc?

Looking forward to parts 2 and 3.