Free Shipping & Best Match: An Advantage for Fixed Price Listings Only

Filed Under Best Match

With the roll out of the Fall 2009 changes to Best Match, eBay has provided more transparency than ever before into the inner workings of that algorythim. One of the aspects eBay has clarified pertains to the advantages of offering free shipping when competing for visibility and placement in the Best Match search result pages.

From information available on eBay’s site, we now know that only fixed-price listings get an advantage in the Best Match search results by offering free shipping. However, both fixed-price and auction style listings are penalized in the search results for “excessive” shipping and handling fees.

From eBay.com:

Fixed Price listings with free shipping will continue to receive added exposure. Auction-style and Fixed Price listings with excessive shipping will be demoted.

Posted Sep 29, 2009

Effects of Listing Type Under Best Match By Category

Best Match Changes for Fixed Priced eBay Listings

Listing Type Influence on Best Match Rankings: Business & Industrial Category

Best Match Listing Type Analysis: Art Category

Fall 2009 Best Match Changes: Collectible Categories