eBay UK have added a rather neat search feature to the Clothing, Shoes and Accessories categories. “More like this” uses images to search, but in an amazingly clever way: if you need a polka dot handbag, but just not quite *this* polka dot handbag, “more like this” will find you bags with dots, however they’ve been described. I’ve been playing with this search all day, and I’m just amazed at the way it’s able to throw up items that look similar to the human eye, regardless of how different the keywords used in their titles might be.
Just like optimising your listings for Best Match and your website for Google, there are ways to help your images show up in image search:
- use a white background if possible, and certainly a plain-coloured background
- don’t dress up or accessorise your item: “props” just confuse things
- don’t add post-photography extra information to your images: fluorescent borders, logos, “sale” flashes or Union Jacks (sorry, electronics sellers)
In short, keep your photographs simple, clear and restricted only to the item you’re selling.
Currently “More Like This” is available only in the CSA categories. Some users will be seeing a button on the view item page above the picture at the top: this is part of a test, but if you want to see the real thing for yourself, the “see more like this” link is available from the “quick look” window in search.
Also added to the “quick look” window is lookup and selection of multi-variation options: as a buyer, I love the idea that I can quickly check if my size is in stock; there’s nothing more annoying than having it advertised in the listing title, only to find it’s out of stock by the time I’ve got to the listing.
What do you think of this week’s changes? Useful, fun, or pointless? Do have a look and let us know what you think in the comments.
14 Responses
That’s nice. I remember when I started grad school telling people I predicted that search engines of the future would be doing this exact thing. Everyone just looked at me like I was crazy or stupid (not sure which).
It explains the drive to MVL.
Though eBay are going to have to stop the multiple listings of the same item to make it more useful.
Wil eBay insist on MVL for all items you have in one style of an item?
CSA is certainly developing, and this is something I like,
Thanks Sue
Suz x
It’s bound to go wrong and/or be abused somehow, this is eBay after all 🙂
It doesn’t need to be that clever where sellers use stock photos does it?
the new fashion portal is an improvement, it looks up to date and stylish (I hate this word).
In the fashion categories the image search makes sense.
I must say I was not happy to see this appear on my listings. It takes buyers away before they have even seen the listing – my sales are down since this appeared – may be coincidence, may be not. I am not the cheapest in my category which I make up for in good listings and good service but this seems to be going against me – again