Google has recently announced that any content that doesn’t use the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) communications protocol, will display a non-secure icon. In response to this change, which affects all sites, eBay are making changes to how they display item descriptions to improve the security of our site.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise as it’s been previously announced so sellers should be well aware that they need to make changes which will particularly affect those with images hosted on HTTP servers or who use CCS or HTML5 in their listings.
- From October 2017, eBay are expanding the usage of the HTTPS communications protocol across eBay.
- From February 2018, listings which are not HTTPS compliant will display an item description summary (similar to what you’d see on a mobile app listing). Buyers will only get to see your full listing if they click an additional link
Secure Content Checker Tool
If you’re unsure if your listing contains insecure elements, you can use the i-ways tool produced in collaboration with eBay to check your listings.
HTTPS also applies to eBay shops
Don’t forget to check your eBay shop and any custom eBay pages you may have set up. The HTTPS requirement will also apply to them. If you have a listing or shop design from a third party provider you may wish to speak to them to check you’re compliant.
2 Responses
Product links in emails stopped working a while back, you are now forced to load unsafe script if you wish to view order details etc from the eBay email.
If you use Chrome it now tells you the site is insecure when sending messages via eBay.
Standard eBay. All the gear, no idea.
At least they’re giving the option for sellers to use https. Not so good for all the guinea pigs who had their accounts tested on by eBay when they wouldn’t display the full description and forced potential buyers to click the ‘read full description’ button.