What is a "Best Match"?

[i-once-was-bump]

I have an item for sale BIN/Best Offer and it finishes tomorrow.

Using the ebay default search, of Best Match and 50 items per page, my item is sitting on page 8 and has been there or worse for the duration of the listing.

At what point does my item match up to a search?

I have no dsr so I think that might have a lot to do with it and anyone looking to buy an item like mine would probably do a specific search and would find the item (hopefully).

Why are items that are listed in the wrong category coming up on page 2 and other items that are really stretching the imagination as to how they would be a better match than my item sitting on the first 3 pages?

Does the actual item listed have anything to do with Best Match positioning?

It would appear that it doesn't.

[davewil1964]

My 'Best Match' is Price + Postage - Lowest First.

That and, maybe, ending soonest, are the only relevant criteria, imo.

I wouldn't worry too much, bump. Only neophytes would believe that eBay know what they want better than they do.

Like this new homepage (whatever a homepage is). I have seen a lot of complaints/requests on how to delete, and ONE member who likes it.

eBay have seriously lost the plot. They are trying to anticipate buyers' wishes, instead of just complying with those wishes, if and when stated.

Mind you, I don't do homepage and I don't look at my listings, especially under other, or no, IDs.

But I'm a seller.

[bsal6160]

As a buyer only, I don't see why sellers are so concerned about this "Best Match" thing. All buyers I know set their search criteria to "Ending Soonest". What is point of searching ebay pages only to find out the item you really want has just ended because you didn't find it soon enough? That's why most buyers search by ending soonest anyway.

[purchases101craft]

Hi Bump, I am sorry but you have been led up the garden path by ignorant self important lurkers on this discusion forum.

The "BEST MATCH' search criteria is a very complicated logorithim that is based on many aspects mainly about the sellers status rather than the wording of your search.

the postage type ( free postage rates higher than other)

their Ebay subscription level, (store package or how much they pay Ebay)

their status  ( feedback and star ratings)

the type of listing ( Buy it now or Auction)

then maybe the relevance to the words in your search.

it has nothing to do with price as anyone who has ever done a search on Ebay can tell straight away.

Please take any information presented on these discusions forums with a grain of salt as there are a lot of idiots who try and big note themselves. Also please be careful of annoying them as they get very vindictive which is why most eperienced Ebay sellers who have been selling for years and offering sage advice now have to use Pseudonym ID's to avoid retribition from these mean spirited gits.

When you sell items regularly, Ebay will let you know some of the criteria as they try and pitch certain aspects of their packages to you. There are also lots of other threads with this topic which will give you a few more hints.

Most buyers do adjust their search results to lowest price or ending soonest and hopefully Australian sellers too.

[chezzy]

I search for specific words when I am browsing - could not care less about best match or anything else ebay try to 'spam' us with. Not all of us are impulsive/click willy nilly buyers.

I find via the word searches (I don't even search categories) the items I want, then I select items based on price or those newly listed to add to my watch list, then research and maybe buy.

Not sure if most popular (or was it most bids?) is available still in the list - perhaps that has been changed to Best Match?

[i-once-was-bump]

I am not concerned but curious.

An item that is in the wrong category is a better match than my item which is in the correct category (both items are in the same category), how can ebay in their wisdom decide that is the case?

[davewil1964]

Hi Bump, I am sorry but you have been led up the garden path by ignorant self important lurkers on this discusion forum.

The "BEST MATCH' search criteria is a very complicated logorithim that is based on many aspects mainly about the sellers status rather than the wording of your search.

the postage type ( free postage rates higher than other)

their Ebay subscription level, (store package or how much they pay Ebay)

their status  ( feedback and star ratings)

the type of listing ( Buy it now or Auction)

then maybe the relevance to the words in your search.

it has nothing to do with price as anyone who has ever done a search on Ebay can tell straight away.

Please take any information presented on these discusions forums with a grain of salt as there are a lot of idiots who try and big note themselves. Also please be careful of annoying them as they get very vindictive which is why most eperienced Ebay sellers who have been selling for years and offering sage advice now have to use Pseudonym ID's to avoid retribition from these mean spirited gits.

When you sell items regularly, Ebay will let you know some of the criteria as they try and pitch certain aspects of their packages to you. There are also lots of other threads with this topic which will give you a few more hints.

Most buyers do adjust their search results to lowest price or ending soonest and hopefully Australian sellers too.

You certainly got the highlighted bits right. Bump is a regular on these boards and undoubtedly is aware of the pitfalls of paying attention to blowins. An Australian term which you might like to look up as you have outed yourself as non-Australian and, probably, a troll.

[phorum_junkie*]

All buyers I know set their search criteria to "Ending Soonest".

Do they? I am sure that just as many search by price plus postage - lowest first, I know I do.

I have absolutely no idea where my items appear in searches as I never go looking for them lol.

[dotcomdotayu]

That's exactly how I search too, PJ.

Although, if it's big items, I will search with "closest first".

[kopenhagen5]

craft - disgraceful post IMO, totally uncalled for as posters are merely trying to assist, even if it is with some scepticism.

bump - I use closest, ending soonest and cheapest and usually save either of those in customize.

I also don't feel best match is so important as a seller, especially items of the nature you sell.