"Hack" the eBay algo

socialchaos · #1 05-25-2023

Well quiet times are here in our industry (IT) I get that. However, it seems that many of our competitors are still generating some level of sales. I trade on a few platforms but prefer eBay due to the quick payouts they offer.

I used to make upto 1800 sales a month in my niche on mostly low-priced products. This amount is a very small fraction of that these days, if it were just for eBay we would not have a business. I understand that the algo likes to see activity on the account and high CTR. We have removed the deadstock, relisted (sell similar) popular but stale listings, made sure we have 4+ images on listings, sent offers to watchers, listed stock and auctions daily but still getting no biters.

Does anyone have any tips on how to come out of our rut? We just can't seem to make consistent sales, our offers are strong compared to the competition and all data is filled in on our products

vettefever17 · #2 05-25-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by socialchaos

Well quiet times are here in our industry (IT) I get that. However, it seems that many of our competitors are still generating some level of sales. I trade on a few platforms but prefer eBay due to the quick payouts they offer.

I used to make upto 1800 sales a month in my niche on mostly low-priced products. This amount is a very small fraction of that these days, if it were just for eBay we would not have a business. I understand that the algo likes to see activity on the account and high CTR. We have removed the deadstock, relisted (sell similar) popular but stale listings, made sure we have 4+ images on listings, sent offers to watchers, listed stock and auctions daily but still getting no biters.

Does anyone have any tips on how to come out of our rut? We just can't seem to make consistent sales, our offers are strong compared to the competition and all data is filled in on our products

I've never thought about the aspect of how many of the products sell you have listed as being a factor. I'll have to look into that in the future. But what I can say, is they have clearly changed the algo to be highly influenced by sponsored ads. The more that I think about it, I don't know how anyone is making anything on there without them. I've had to take a massive cut in profit to even get sales. I'm talking about almost having to double the suggested ad rate to grab buyers.

solefoodbk · #3 05-25-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettefever17

I've never thought about the aspect of how many of the products sell you have listed as being a factor. I'll have to look into that in the future. But what I can say, is they have clearly changed the algo to be highly influenced by sponsored ads. The more that I think about it, I don't know how anyone is making anything on there without them. I've had to take a massive cut in profit to even get sales. I'm talking about almost having to double the suggested ad rate to grab buyers.

Yeah it defiantly does play a factor from what I sell. This is why I will sometimes run sales even if I know I take a loss because the algo will start to promote my listing more often. Not just that it is human nature when you see others have bought the same product you're more emotionally inclined to buy that as opposed to seeing no sales. I actually just did this on something that got 1 sale this month, ran a sale got 10 sold within 2 days, then the sale ends and just today sold 4 more.

Ebay will always want to promote sellers who are converting listings into sales because that means they make more money. Simple as that. I think it's ok to have dead listings because having a store you'll get someone interested in one item then organically find the others. It is more of a listing by listing basis IMO. Though if your overall conversion rate is poor, then it probably will encompass your shop. For me, it's always been a listing by listing basis BUT having a good conversion means they'll promote your listings higher for longer which helps allow for a better conversion. It's the snowball effect.

degsey69 · #4 05-26-2023

Constant activity on new and existing listings is the key to get high placements in the searches, even if the images are changes, price adjustments, description changed. EBay like to see this and reward the activity.