eBay have been working on the next version of a new, magical listing experience, which uses AI to analyse, research, and extrapolate information from a small amount of data, provided by the seller, to greatly simplifying the process of listing an item on eBay.
In the first version, a seller could add in a title for a listing, maybe a category, and would then be given the option of using generative AI to fill in the description from there. eBay say that they have seen great customer feedback from this first version and have ramped to all eBay app users (both iOS and Android) in the US.
As of late July, approximately 30% of U.S. sellers using the app on any given day tried the feature at least once, and over 95% of those who tried it opted to use the AI-generated descriptions, including those with edits.
But these AI description tools were merely a first step on eBay’s path towards seamless, magical listings. We’re thrilled to reveal the next version of this magical listing tool, which takes the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” and makes it literal.
The new eBay image-based magical listing tool allows sellers to take or upload a photo in the eBay app (iOS-only for now) and watch AI fill in item information details. From a simple photo, AI can write titles, descriptions and add vital information, which could include product release date, detailed category and sub-category, and can combine with eBay’s other tech to suggest a listing price and shipping cost.
This addresses what eBay call the “cold start” issue, in which first-time sellers can feel overwhelmed with the amount of information required to create a competitive listing. There’s no need to work through a cold start with AI: as soon as you’re ready to sell, your listing is ready to post.
eBay have already released this magical image-based listing tool as an employee beta, and are excited to release it to the public in the coming month, so watch this space!
4 Responses
Bollocks bet it cant list the colour clarity and size
Of a diamond ring , including the gold content and caret
ebay yet again getting excited about a release when the technology is already out there. I have been using AI as part of Shopify all year to help write descriptions. I can choose what style of writing, add bullet points and AI does the rest. Tweak it a little here and there and job done
Maybe if sellers are overwhelmed with the amount of data needed to list a item there is the starting point to the problem. Look at scaling back all the item specifics when often the same things are ticked often two or three times to tell the buyer the same things.
As the norm of late, ebay needs to do better.
buyers will soon become numb to the bullshit ,
focusing on price and seller reputation
Bets way to avoid a ‘cold start’ for new sellers is to turn off all the nonsense eBay wants you to offer – Best Offers, Global Seller Program, Click and Collect, Fast Postage, Free Postage, Collection, no instant payment required, long return policy, etc.
Without these they’ll have a much better selling experience and return to sell more.
All this AI will do is create more not as described cases.