Metadata!!!!

[bman707]

Hey all just now realized this never thought about it does eBay really track you using your pictures or aslong as my background description etc is different I will be ok? If not what do you guys recommend to wipe metadata from pictures I’m running my accounts on a Mac laptop thanks all.

[nickopedia]

The short answer is: YES

eBay can and does track image EXIF Metadata. Many stealthers have best practices in place to clean their files before using. I use a tool called BatchPurifier that does this on several images at the same time.

I also take care to use different backgrounds and descriptions when listing the same items across multiple accounts.

[bman707]

Thanks nickopedia happen to know any programs that you recommend for a Mac batchpurifier is only for windows I believe or one I could use on my iPhone.

[treysupreme]

Originally Posted by bman707

Thanks nickopedia happen to know any programs that you recommend for a Mac batchpurifier is only for windows I believe or one I could use on my iPhone.

Interested in Mac application as well. What about taking screenshots of your pictures, anyone know if this cleans them?

[jmag91]

BatchPurifier works great!

[bman707]

Jmag91 does it work on a Mac though or only windows

[nickopedia]

Oh, all you Mac guys make things so difficult.

Try something like this:
http://www.exifpurge.com

I'm sure a bit of searching will find what you need.

[bman707]

Haha we always are huh lol thanks I just download Metapho it’s called but now it says it cost $2.99

[Leader2dark]

they can in theory, but in practice, I don't think anyone has been linked based on this alone.

Best practice would be to remove it. But I would think that would be a red flag as well.

[bman707]

Right leader2dark I thought the same I doubt they do but I doubt erasing it is a red flag either I bet your fine either way idk.

[bman707]

Once I remove the data can I rename it too or just leave it yadada yada jpeg

[jjjjtlc4me]

i always make the files with names that arent random. if you dont have a good cleaner worst case scenario you can snip it so it wont show any data prior to you making the jpeg

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by bman707

Once I remove the data can I rename it too or just leave it yadada yada jpeg

If you're going to clear EXIF it only makes sense to go ahead and rename the files too. Especially if you're using photos you've used before.

[SaiJin]

Wouldn't editing the pictures themselves and saving them as a new file also change the meta data within the image?

[ebaystealth1974]

It will change some of it. It all depends. Best is to just clean it.

[bman707]

Ya I have been using exifpurge works good but can I just name it img1 or does it have to say jpeg at the end might be a stupid question

[bman707]

And I never reuse images I use a different background etc just use the same iPhone to take pics for 2 separate acccounts one is a powerseller so I’m being paranoid has ssn verified etc

[phaz0rz]

I hear you. Depending on how long you stick with e-commerce, you'll become less paranoid over time I guess. I used to do the same thing but now I usually use the same photos, cropped slightly differently and with the file renamed, on all of my accounts. They don't care. All of my accounts are powersellers with 1000's of feedback lol. I understand being paranoid but this really isn't something they pay attention to. Just take a look at all of the Chinese trading companies using the exact same photos/description across a dozen accounts. Their listings stay up for years and they dominate.

You should probably leave the file extension alone (the .jpeg or .jpg part) or else the file may not be recognized as a photo.

[ebaystealth1974]

Originally Posted by phaz0rz

Just take a look at all of the Chinese trading companies using the exact same photos/description across a dozen accounts. Their listings stay up for years and they dominate.

Big difference in using a stock photo 100 times, versus using your own photo from your own camera 100s of times!

[ebaystealth1974]

For instance, the camera I use for my photography work has my NAME in the exif data.

[phaz0rz]

There are images taken by my iPhone that are right this minute being used by more Chinese sellers than I can count on both my hands. I'm not talking about stock photos, I'm talking about photos they hijack from other sellers. They just find the best selling listing whenever they make their listing and steal all of the photos. Sometimes they'll steal a couple of photos from the top couple of listings. Hell there are some Chinese sellers still using a picture of 3 Lightning cables I took when I first started selling, and I don't even use it anymore. I let them have it.

With that being said I've never used watermarks and I definitely don't have custom EXIF tagging. I've always been kinda flattered when it happens, then I report.

[ebaystealth1974]

I think I just used a stock photo back in the day for them. And added some simple text to it.