Here is how eBay makes the new shopping experience work:

1. eBay creates a "dictionary" for each area such as
• Shoes
• Glass
• TVs
These areas aren't typical eBay categories but broader areas.


2. Each area contains a list of characteristics that are important to buyers such as:
• Brand
• Size
• Style

eBay also includes all known details under each characteristic. For example, in the Shoe area under the characteristic "size", all known details may include:
• 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, etc.
• 6, 6 ½, 7, 7 ½, 8, etc.
• SZ 6, SZ 6.5, SZ 7, SZ 7.5, SZ 8, etc.


3. When you list an item to sell, eBay "looks" for these characteristics and details in your item title, Item Specifics, and category. All this information is stored in the eBay system.



4. eBay checks this stored information whenever a buyer runs a search. The effect is that if a buyer searches for "7.5 shoes", all relevant shoes are retrieved including those listed as "7 ½" or "SZ 7.5".

For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.