topic Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming... in Selling

Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

gigabean-au — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:37:59 GMT

Had a rather confusing discussion with ebay the last few days regarding one of our listings - the title was:

20" Digital Photo Frame - 12" and 15" can't compare!

For me that's pretty much saying it's superior to those models... and we have been using it for about two years.

According to ebays policy team it was keyword spamming, and that people would be confused as to what size the photo frame is. In two years I don't think we've had a single 'item not as described' case for this product.

After talking with one of their online chat people, apparently the keywords we were spamming were "can't" and "compare" - makes sense huh? I could understand if they were upset we were using 12" and 15" as obviously that helps us show up when people search for 12" digital photo frame, etc... but nope... I asked about changing it to: superior to 12" and 15", and apparently that's ok... so I guess that's what we'll do.

Within an hour or so after talking with ebay support, our listing with 70 sales on it gets removed (about 24 hours after the original notice was sent to us) and our policy compliance has dropped to 'very low'. Didn't even really give us a chance to do anything - I work full time and do this ebay stuff after hours or in my lunch break...

As an exercise, do a quick search on ebay for 'compare' - I notice a LOT of people using the title in a similar way.

Anyway.. just wanted to vent more than anything.. seems a good place for it 🙂

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

the3coopers — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:59:13 GMT

That is obviously keyword spaming, so you really don't have much of a cause for complaint.

And whilst they say that "superior to 12" and 15" is acceptable, you can be assured that it's just as much a policy breach. What you don't seem to realise is that the person who you spoke to would have absolutely no idea why the original was in breach.

The fact that you have got away with it, and that others still get away with it doesn't mean anything. Ebay only checks when there are reports... so you obviously have a competitor who loves you 😉

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

the3coopers — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:06:06 GMT

What I am saying is... DO NOT use that "other sizes in title" trick, because no matter HOW you word it, it'll still be classed as keyword spamming.

List honestly - if you want to "compare things" then do it in the description....

"Comparisons: Sellers are not permitted to make comparisons between items in a listing title.

Example not allowed:

The titles "Leather Handbag, like Chanel","Leather Handbag, Chanel style", or "Leather handbag, not Chanel" are not permitted on eBay because they make comparisons between the item being offered, a leather handbag, to a Chanel handbag.

Example allowed:
In the description only, sellers are permitted to compare the item being offered to one other similar product, so long as the listing is not misleading in any way as to which company made the item offered.
Example:

"This vacuum cleaner does a much better job at cleaning ground-in dirt than Acme brand vacuum cleaners."

That text above is from "Some Examples section of the Policy / Help Page: http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/policies/keyword-spam.html

Also do this tutorial: http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/tutorial/searchandbrowseman/intro.html

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

leader-of-the-band — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:21:46 GMT

Imagine an eBayer searches for 12" Digital Photo Frame because they want a 12" frame . . . . your item would appear in their search results even though yours is not a 12" frame. This is keyword spamming, whether that is/was your intention or not.

Make the comparison in the description.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

gigabean-au — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:32:52 GMT

Yeah I definitely see your points - I think my frustration was more to do with the mixed messages I was getting from ebay.

I had put that listing title up when I was first starting to sell seriously on ebay & didn't know much of the rules and probably didn't give it much of a second thought after that.

Will look at fixing them up asap.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

Anonymous — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:56:57 GMT

Giga...

Give up and go and try to talk to a rock into becoming a gold nugget. Ebay doesn't care if it was an honest mistake or not.

You will get mixed messages because ebay ( and PayPal ) will

never send a human generated reply in the first instance.

Give up anyway because once you get a human response the end result will be the same.

After my first brush with them ( and a 2-3 month low compliance period ) I always checked my titles with them first.

Don't be too hard on ebay though because it really can't afford the resources to present a human face. At last calc each phone ( live help ) rep has 20-30,000 members to deal with and because they don't know you personally they have to treat all sellers as dishonest.

That aspect at least is the same in the real world otherwise the security camera industry would fold.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

leader-of-the-band — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:58:24 GMT

Within an hour or so after talking with ebay support, our listing with 70 sales on it gets removed (about 24 hours after the original notice was sent to us) and our policy compliance has dropped to 'very low'. Didn't even really give us a chance to do anything - I work full time and do this ebay stuff after hours or in my lunch break...

At least the policy compliance rating will only last for three months (assuming you do not get any other violations).

I successfully argued a case to eBay to have my policy compliance rating of 'very low' revised back to 'High' recently. I used their standardised response emails against them in my arguement. Re-read their response emails and try to find inconsistencies. Ask to have your policy compliance reinstated as 'high' and see if they send a standard response.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

gigabean-au — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:05:44 GMT

Thanks for the tip - there were a lot of inconsistencies in their messages and I think we should have enough to get the policy compliance issue fixed (I hope so anyway).

Just need to think of some new keywords 🙂

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

leader-of-the-band — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:03:28 GMT

Thanks for the tip - there were a lot of inconsistencies in their messages and I think we should have enough to get the policy compliance issue fixed (I hope so anyway).

the inconsistency I used was in an email they sent me. In part, it stated "As much as I would want to override the system for you, I will be unable to do it because we treat all members of our community fairly and justly with regard to the application of policy in the listings. For you to regain the high policy compliance again, I suggest to check on our guidelines first by using the "Customer Support" gray link if you have any inquiries. After your account will be cleared of that violation, you will gradually gain back the high compliance again. And please know that once a seller violated one policy their policy compliance will be automatically affected as well."

I simply found examples of listings that had not be pulled and had just about run their full course. I sent them a list of 4 or five and offered to send 20 more should they want more examples because I could find them very easily. I argued that they were not applying their own policy fairly and justly unless they took action against these other sellers. They removed my violation and apologised!

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

phorum_junkie* — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:15:48 GMT

I can't imagine why you would want to use that wording anyway. If I was searching specifically for a 15" frame yours would appear in the list of searched items which would annoy me intensely and is the reason you are not allowed to use words in your title that do not describe the item you are selling.

Anyone looking for a 20" frame would not use the words 12" or 15" in their search so it would be of no benefit their either.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

lizzy6107 — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 07:19:14 GMT

How is this for keyword spamming.

I sell lots of tops and dresses, the style well known is australia, and surely elsewhere, is babydoll style, used to describe a style as is the word maxi or boho etc

My account is now 'low policy compliancy' status due to using the word babydoll, which they say is too close to "wheels and doll baby" ... I searched for babydoll in ebay and there are over 13000 listings using this description. What on earth is ebay on about.

I rang, and even though the woman wouldn't admit to it being ridiculous, could tell she was suprised.

Problem is, another crazy thing like this and my account can be suspended. Not to mention that I have had to remove the word from 60 items in my store, now no one searching for the babydoll top will find mine.

Are there human beings with any sense working there at ebay?

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

digital*ghost — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:09:01 GMT

I would dispute that vehemently.

I can't see how anyone could mistake 'babydoll', a well known, long-standing and - perhaps more importantly - generic term for a style of top / dress, for the brand name 'Wheels and Dollbaby' 😮

It can take a bit of trying, but I think if you persist, you have a good chance of getting your policy compliance back to normal.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

motherbear2003 — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:42:49 GMT

gigabean - you may well have been using that title for about two years, however some mealy mouthed meanie has reported your listing.

I recently had some of my listings removed for the same reason and I had been using the titles for 9 years, and there's still many sellers committing the same breach of the rules. However unless a listing is reported ebay will not take actionX-(

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

thesoulyearns — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:55:28 GMT

Regarding keyword spamming, I just noticed something that was issued by eBay but may conflict with their own rules.

I'm sure most sellers received the "Chrismas is Coming" article regarding tips to improve selling. This was stated:

Maximise your item title

Include keywords that buyers will search for, unique or descriptive attributes, and always check your spelling. Your item title is critical in helping users find your items, so use each character wisely.

That is what was printed, word for word. Seems to contradict eBay's keyword spam policy regarding descriptive words. However, D*G may prove me wrong here.

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

digital*ghost — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:56:24 GMT

Descriptive words are ok, as long as they're relevant to the item and not brand names, trademarks etc. I often do that if there's plenty of extra room after all the important info, different ways to say some of the item specifics that people may search for by keyword (eg 100% cotton, stretch fabric, high rise... even genre of music for more subversive styles, or the record label that put out the release if they're a popular indie label, as some of them have a cult following).

The black dress Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast At Tiffany's has kind of become synonymous with here name, so you actually get people searching for "Audrey Hepburn Dress", but you can't put her name in a title like that so whenever I have something like that to list I just use words like classic and elegant. I doubt they'd be very common search terms, but if I can fit them in the visible part of a title along with the other important info, IMO it's better than blank space. 😉

Re: Had a listing removed for keyword spamming...

phorum_junkie* — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:14:41 GMT

I see nothing contradictory, where do ebay say you should use a word that appertains to a different item to describe what you are saying.

Keywords are words like the colour, size, style, brand of whatever you are selling. Keyword spamming is using keywords that describe another size, colour or brand that is not being offered for sale.