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Announcement



Frequently Asked Questions: Policy Changes

Removal of the Choice Policy
1. What is the Choice Policy and why is it being removed?
2. What choices are allowed in a listing?
3. What happens if I don't have the size or color a buyer chooses?
4. Are any choices still not allowed? If so, what eBay policy covers this?
5. How can I make sure the choices I offer are in compliance with current eBay policies?

Removal of the Multiple Listings Limit Policy and changes to Finding
6. What is the Multiple Listings Limit Policy and why is it being removed?
7. What if I'm the only seller with a particular type of inventory? Will I still be limited to ten listings per page?

New Search & Browse Manipulation Policy
8. What is the Search and Browse Manipulation Policy?
9. Will the replaced policies (Miscategorization, Keyword Spamming, Brand Name Misuse, and Misleading Title) still be enforced?
10. How is the Search & Browse Manipulation policy different from the policies it replaces?
11. How can I ensure I'm in compliance with eBay's new Search & Browse Manipulation policy?

Removal of the Choice Policy
1. What is the Choice Policy and why is it being removed?
The Choice Policy required that each listing offer only one type of item for sale. For example, a listing for shoes had to specify one size, and other sizes of the same style had to be offered in separate listings. Effective immediately, this policy is being removed. You may now give buyers choices in your listings, such as size, color, and configuration.
2. What choices are allowed in a listing?
You may offer choices such as size, color, and configuration. For example, if you sell shoes, you can offer a particular style with a choice of colors or sizes. If you sell computers, you can offer a specific brand and model laptop with a choice in components such as hard-drive size, processor speed, etc. If you sell Apple iPods, you can offer a a choice of memory size and/or color. The removal of the Choice Policy is intended to give sellers more flexibility, streamline the listing process, and give buyers a more convenient and familiar shopping experience.
3. What happens if I don't have the size or color a buyer chooses?
When you offer a choice, you are required to deliver the buyer's selection and you should only offer choices you have available for sale. Failure to fulfill a buyer's purchase is a violation of the Seller Non-performance Policy.
4. Are some choices still not allowed? If so, what eBay policy covers this?
You are not allowed to offer a choice of completely different items, such as a choice of a TV or a cell phone, in the same listing. Different brands of products are also considered different items requiring separate listings in the appropriate categories. Combining different products or brands in one listing is a violation of the Fee Circumvention Policy.
5. How can I make sure the choices I offer are in compliance with current eBay policies?
A good way to stay in compliance with the Fee Circumvention Policy is simply to consider the traditional online shopping experience: choices shoppers typically expect such as size, color, and configuration are now generally allowed in a single listing on eBay.

To avoid Seller Non-performance violations, keep your listing choices up to date with your available inventory. Be sure to revise your listing if a particular choice is no longer available for sale.
 
Removal of the Multiple Listings Limit Policy and changes to Finding
6. What is the Multiple Listings Limit Policy and why is it being removed?
We know that seeing a variety of listings from different sellers in search results is a more satisfying experience for shoppers than seeing a large number of identical listing from one seller. To prevent the domination of search results by a single seller, the Multiple Listings Limit Policy placed a limit on the number of identical listings from one seller to 15.

With improvements in eBay's Finding technology a maximum of ten listings from one seller will be shown per results page unless the only available listings are from the same seller. With that change and with the new long duration multi-quantity Fixed Price listing options, the policy is no longer required.

7. What if I'm the only seller with a particular type of inventory? Will I still be limited to ten listings per page?
No. Search or browse results will display all remaining listings, even if they are from the same seller.
 
New Search & Browse Manipulation Policy
8. What is the Search & Browse Manipulation policy?
The Search & Browse Manipulation Policy, taking effect in early June, simplifies the guidelines prohibiting unfair methods of diverting members to a seller's listings. This policy covers any activity that harms the shopping experience by making it difficult for buyers to find the items they're looking for. The Search & Browse Manipulation policy will take the place of Keyword Spamming, Misleading Title, Miscategorization, and Brand Name Misuse policies.
9. Will the replaced policies (Miscategorization, Keyword Spamming, Brand Name Misuse, and Misleading Title) still be enforced?
Yes! These are all considered forms of Search & Browse Manipulation harmful to the shopping experience. These activities will continue to be prohibited as part of the Search & Browse Manipulation policy.
10. How is the Search & Browse Manipulation policy different from the replaced policies?
The new Search & Browse Manipulation policy extends beyond the replaced policies to include any type of activity that harms the shopping experience. This includes using terms, pictures, or links in a listing title, subtitle, item specifics, description, picture, or seller tags that don't pertain to the item being sold. Listing activities intended to thwart eBay policies or "game" Finding to gain unfair exposure in search and browse results are prohibited.
11. How can make sure I'm in compliance with eBay's new Search & Browse Manipulation policy?
You'll be in compliance if you include only information that accurately and directly pertains to the item you're listing. Leave out any information intended to manipulate or deceive search and browse results.