 How eBay Best Match Will Work in Collectibles & Toy Categories
 Last week, eBay instituted a number of changes as part of its SR2 (Seller Release 2) announced in July. Among the changes is how eBay will apply its Best Match search algorithm in the collectibles and toy categories.
eBay's Best Match search algorithm is different depending on category, format, seller profile and buyer behavior. In the "old days," there was great consistency across the site in how things worked (not to mention, there was no Best Match), but now there are many country-specific, format-specific and category-specific variations, making it difficult to keep track of changes.
If you sell collectibles and/or toys, it's worth studying this page to make sure you know how eBay says Best Match will work in those categories to try and get the best exposure for your listings. Here's an update on how Best Match, eBay's default sort order, will work in Art, Antiques, Coins & Paper Money, Collectibles, Dolls & Bears, Pottery & Glass, Toys & Hobbies, Stamps, Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop, and Entertainment Memorabilia starting September 22 - October 1. * Auction-style listings will continue to receive a boost in search results when they're about to end. * Fixed Price listings: To keep the freshest inventory on top and surface a broader selection, the main sort factor for Fixed Price listings in these categories will be recency of listing instead of listing performance score. * Seller performance counts: Top-rated sellers will get promoted in Best Match for Fixed Price listings. Sellers not meeting the new minimum standard will be demoted for both Auction-style and Fixed Price listings. * Shipping counts: As always, shipping costs are considered. Keeping costs reasonable and offering free shipping continue to be best practices although Auction-style listings with free shipping will no longer receive added exposure. Fixed Price listings with free shipping will continue to receive added exposure. Both Auction-style and Fixed Price listings with excessive shipping will be demoted. * No silver bullet: Many factors are considered in Best Match and can vary with different circumstances. But the bottom line best practices for optimizing your position in Best Match will be the same: List in the right format and the right categories, write accurate and relevant titles, offer good prices and reasonable shipping, and provide good service.
On the same page, there are Frequently Asked Questions and "Best practices to get maximum exposure for your listings" that are also informative. As part of its best practices, eBay tells sellers that they should sell internationally, although it does not address how it handles claims for missing packages: Sell internationally! Now you'll have more control over specific ship-to destinations and only your domestic DSRs will count towards PowerSeller and eBay Top-rated seller eligibility. http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformat...lectibles.html  | 
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