Oct
8
This is the second post analyzing which listing type is favored by the Best Match algorithm for a particular category or sub-category.
This post analyzes the antiques category and finds that the Best Match algorithm strongly favors auction style listings for the Antiques category in general and the sub-categories. Specifically, my analysis indicates that auction-style listings have a statistically significant favorable effect on the following sub-categories:
- Antiques > Asian Antiques
- Antiques > Decorative Arts
- Antiques > Ethnographic
- Antiques > Furniture
- Antiques > Maps, Atlases & Globes
- Antiques > Rugs & Carpets
- Antiques > Silver
- Antiques > Other
Also of note is the fact that the Architectual & Garden appears to favor fixed-priced auctions, although the analysis is not statistically significant.
Methodology
Here’s the methodology I used to determine which category favors traditional style auction listing types and which favor fixed-price auctions.
I calculated the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-priced listings on the first page of results for each category. Then I compared that to the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-price listings category wide. If the difference was in excess of 25%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to auction style listings. If the difference was in excess of -20%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to fixed-priced style listings.
Some other details:
- The category or sub-category needed to have more that 1,000 listings to be evaluated.
- Auction style listings that also feature a Buy It Now price were considered to be auction style listings in this evaluation.
- The first page of the listing results was limited to 25 listings.
Oct
7
This post analyzes the Art category and finds that the Best Match algorithm strongly favors auction style listings for the Art category in general and the sub-categories. Specifically, my analysis indicates that auction-style listings have a statistically significant favorable effect on the following sub-categories:
- Art > Direct from Artist
- Art > Art From Dealers & Resellers
Methodology
Here’s the methodology I used to determine which category favors traditional style auction listing types and which favor fixed-price auctions.
I calculated the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-priced listings on the first page of results for each category. Then I compared that to the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-price listings category wide. If the difference was in excess of 25%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to auction style listings. If the difference was in excess of -20%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to fixed-priced style listings.
Some other details:
- The category or sub-category needed to have more that 1,000 listings to be evaluated.
- Auction style listings that also feature a Buy It Now price were considered to be auction style listings in this evaluation.
- The first page of the listing results was limited to 25 listings.
Oct
6
When eBay announced the Fixed-Price 30 listing option, they also mentioned that the Best Match algorithm will advantage fixed-priced listings over auction-style listings in some categories and auction-style listings over fixed-priced listings in other categories. Of course, they did not specify which categories would favor which type of listing format — so I’ve spent the time and done the analysis to figure out which categories and sub-categories provide an advantage to which listing type in the Best Match search results.
Knowing what listing style is favored by Best Match in a particular category - and more significantly a particular sub-category - is important when you are posting an item on eBay. If you pick the wrong listing type, you could end up ranking lower in the search rankings than you would like. Lower rankings = less bids.
Methodology
Here’s the methodology I used to determine which category favors traditional style auction listing types and which favor fixed-price auctions.
I calculated the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-priced listings on the first page of results for each category. Then I compared that to the ratio of auction style listings to fixed-price listings category wide. If the difference was in excess of 25%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to auction style listings. If the difference was in excess of -20%, I considered the category to provide a significant advantage to fixed-priced style listings.
Some other details:
- The category or sub-category needed to have more that 1,000 listings to be evaluated.
- Auction style listings that also feature a Buy It Now price were considered to be auction style listings in this evaluation.
- The first page of the listing results was limited to 25 listings.
- Sub-categories can vary significantly than their parent category. For example, the Business & Industrial category significantly favors auction style listings (39%), but the Packing & Shipping sub-category heavily favors the fixed-price style of listings (-32%).
The chart below indicates which categories favor auction style listings (indicated in yellow) and which provide an advantage to fixed price listings.
Again, I must stress that sub-categories can differ significantly from their parent category. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be posting an a detailed analysis of each category starting tomorrow with the Antiques category and sub-categories.
To summarize, Books, Music, DVD’s & Movies, and Everything Else appear to heavily favor auction style listings, while Gift Certificates and Baby favor the fixed-price listings.
Aug
20
“Time Ending Soonest” is no longer a factor in the Best Match algorithm for fixed-priced auctions. Best Match is the new method by which eBay determines how listings are sorted in the site’s search results. Another factor will be replacing “Time Ending Soonest” for fixed-priced listings - “Recent Sales.” Apparently, only listings offering multiple quantities can reap the advantages of this factor. According to eBay, recent sales from a particular multiple-quantity listing will advantage that listing over others that don’t have recent sales. This means higher rankings in the search results and more subsequent sales as a direct result.
The more sales you have per listing, the greater the opportunity for better visibility and standing apart from the competition.
This provides an obvious incentive to offer multiple quantities if you sell via the fixed price venue.
eBay has also announced that the Best Match algorithm will advantage fixed-priced listings over auction-style listings in some categories and auction-style listings over fixed-priced listings in other categories. Of course, they did not specify which categories would favor which type of listing format — so I’ll be researching that for you after these changes are placed into production live on the site.
eBay clarified that “Time Ending Soonest” was still a significant factor in the Best Match search results ranking algorithm for auction-style listings.
eBay did not specify when the changes would be placed into production. However, one would assume (is that safe to do with eBay?) that the changes would coincide with the new fixed-priced listing fee schedule that will be effective on the 16th of September.