Category & item specifics updates

Updates to categories, item specifics, and the eBay catalog—find out if your category is affected.

Category, item specifics, and catalog updates will be released this fall to provide a more intuitive buying, selling, and search experience. Check the list of affected categories and make any necessary updates to ensure uninterrupted sales.

Highlights

Updates to parts compatibility listings in Motors Parts & Accessories.

Starting the week of September 15 the number of makes and models that can be specified in a single parts compatibility listing is increasing to help you save on listing fees and make it easier for interested buyers to find your item. Also, parts compatibility listings will no longer be available for the Accessories category within Vintage Car & Truck Parts.

Other category and item specifics updates will affect the following categories beginning the week of Sept 15, 2014:

  • Business & Industrial
  • Crafts
  • Health & Beauty
  • Home & Garden
  • Motors
  • Musical Instruments & Gear
  • Sporting Goods
  • Toys & Hobbies

Fall 2014 Category, Item Specifics, and Catalog Updates

Please click "Get More Details" to see how these updates may apply to and impact you.

Category

Category Updates

Item Specifics Updates

Business & Industrial

Look for changes in:

  • Packing & Shipping
Get More Details

Updates across multiple categories.

Get More Details

Crafts

Look for changes in:

  • Handcrafted & Finished Pieces
  • Needlecrafts & Yarn
  • Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts
  • Sewing & Fabric
  • Stamping & Embossing
Get More Details

Updates across multiple categories.

Get More Details

Health & Beauty

Look for changes in:

  • Health Care
Get More Details

No changes.

Home & Garden

Look for changes in the following areas:

  • Food & Beverages
  • Lamps, Lighting & Ceiling Fans
  • Home Improvement > Electrical & Solar
Get More Details

No changes.

Motors

Look for changes in the following areas:

  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Automotive Tools & Supplies
  • Car & Truck Parts
Get More Details

Updates across multiple categories.

  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Automotive Tools
  • RV & Campers
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Musical Instruments & Gear

Look for new categories.

Get More Details

No changes.

Sporting Goods

Look for updates in the following areas:

  • Exercise and Fitness
  • New Boxing, Martial Arts & MMA categories
  • Fishing
Get More Details

Updates across multiple categories.

  • Exercise and Fitness
  • New Boxing, Martial Arts & MMA categories
  • Fishing
Get More Details

Toys & Hobbies

Look for updates in the following areas:

  • Building Toys
  • Puzzles
Get More Details

Updates across multiple categories.

  • Building Toys
  • Puzzles
Get More Details

Take Action

  • Item specifics updates in existing categories are now available. Take the time now to revise your listings with new item specifics to help ensure they're moved to the correct category when the category changes are made beginning the week of September 15.
  • Refer to your listing improvement recommendations on your Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro Summary page to ensure optimal visibility for your listings.
  • In many categories, unique identifiers are required for your items to show up in Google Product Search. The best way to ensure your listing contains the information required by Google Product Search is to list your item with the eBay catalog whenever there's a product match. If listing with the eBay catalog isn't possible, fill out the item specifics for Brand, Model, UPC, ISBN, EAN, Color, Size, Gender and/or MPN wherever they are available/applicable.
  • If you currently have items listed in the Accessories category within Vintage Car & Truck Parts, you may need to move them to another category if they require parts compatibility.
    • If you sell items that are car parts requiring parts compatibility, move them to a category that offers parts compatibility in eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Car & Truck Parts or in eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Vintage Car & Truck Parts.
    • If your items are not car parts or accessories and do not belong on or in a car (e.g. signs, clocks, keychains), move them to the appropriate category under eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Apparel & Merchandise.
    • For items that are accessories that fit any model vintage car or truck (e.g. vintage mirrors, license plate frames), you can keep them in the Accessories category within Vintage Car & Truck Parts but note all compatibility information will be removed from the listing.
  • In some Parts & Accessories categories, if you have duplicate listings because your part fits more than 1,000 vehicles, starting in August you can combine them into one listing to save on fees and make it easier for buyers to find your item. The maximum number of vehicles you can specify is being raised to 3,000.

See the full list of all category updates.

Use any one of the following eBay tools to update your listings:

  • Bulk edit functionality inside My eBay
  • Selling Manager/Selling Manager Pro
  • File Exchange
  • Turbo Lister
    • Category and item specifics are updated every 24 hours. To manually update, go to the "Refresh" tab and select "Update eBay Categories and Item Specifics".
Tips and tools to edit listings

Best practices

  • Use eBay-recommended item specifics whenever they're available to help buyers find your items quickly.
  • Provide plenty of photos that complement the description of your item. Remember, every listing must have at least one picture, but you can include up to 12 for free. (Note: There is a fee to add photos to eBay Motors vehicle listings.)
  • Be sure to describe your item as completely and accurately as possible in the body of your listing, and make sure this description is consistent with the item specifics you choose.
  • Be sure to list your item with the eBay catalog whenever there's a product in the catalog that's an exact match to the item you have for sale and/or required by the category. To list an item with the catalog, you just select it from the list presented as you are listing. You can also use the catalog photo of the item.
  • Remember, catalog images cannot be used as the primary photo for non-new items.
  • Only list your item with the eBay catalog when the catalog product is an exact match to the item you have for sale. If it is not an exact match, then we recommend completing your listing without selecting a product from the catalog list presented. You can also request your product be added to our catalog.
  • Whenever possible (and even if you can't list your item with the catalog), include unique product identifiers like UPC, GTIN, and ISBN. By using identifiers like these, buyers will be able to find your listings when they search within eBay, on search engines, and using mobile applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which categories are being changed?

    Please see the complete list of category updates.

  • When can I start listing in the new or revised categories?

    Start using the new and revised categories as soon as soon as they become available the week of September 15th, 2014.

  • Which item specifics are being changed?

    Please see a complete list of item specific updates for fall 2014.

  • When can I start using the new and recommended item specifics?

    Item specifics for categories that will be going away will appear on the site starting the week of August 4th.

    Use the newly added item specifics to help ensure items are moved to the best possible replacement category on September 15th. Using the recommended item specifics ensures that:

    • your item is classified correctly and is more likely to be returned in search
    • buyers can refine their search results using the left hand navigation refinements to find your item
  • What happens if I don’t use the new and recommended item specifics in my listings?

    Excluding recommended item specifics will prevent your item from surfacing to buyers when they use the left hand navigation refinements.

  • I use a third-party listing tool through ChannelAdvisor (or another Certified Provider). Do I have to do anything to make sure my listings comply with the new category, item specific, or catalog updates?

    ChannelAdvisor and other Certified Providers typically update their tools with the new category structure. In instances where third-party tools haven't been updated, eBay will automatically map new listings with the old category IDs to the new categories. Once the Certified Provider has updated their category structure, use the new category as opposed to the old category ID.

  • Can I get guidance on what item specific changes will impact my listings?

    Yes. Check Selling Reminders on your My eBay All Selling page or the new Listing Improvement section of the Selling Manager summary page to identify your listings without item specifics. You can then easily edit those listings in bulk. Remember, using eBay-recommended item specifics in your listings makes it easier for buyers to find your items.

  • What happens to my listing if my category now has subcategories?

    If new subcategories have been added below your category, your listings will be moved to the subcategory with the best fit based on the item specific used on the listing. If the eBay recommended item specifics are not utilized, your item will be moved to the “best fit” category based on keywords in the listing title. If the item cannot be moved based on key words then it is moved to the nearest “Other” category. When you relist these items, be sure to list in the appropriate subcategory and use eBay-recommended item specifics for the best potential visibility in a buyer's search results.

  • What happens if I don’t believe my listing has been moved to the most appropriate category?

    Starting September 15th, if your listing has not been moved to the most appropriate category, you'll need to revise the listing and select a category that's better suited to your item.

  • What happens if I can't find a product in the catalog that is an exact match to my item?

    It's a good idea to try and match your item with a product from the catalog as often as you can. However, if you're unable to find a product in the catalog that's an exact match to the item you have for sale, create your listing without selecting a product from the catalog. Remember, selecting a product from the catalog for your listing that's similar but not an exact match to the item you have for sale may be confusing for your buyers and could create a bad buying—and selling—experience. Therefore, in cases where an exact match cannot be found, we recommend completing your listing without selecting a product from the catalog.

  • What happens to my listing if a category gets merged with another category or parent category?

    If your category gets merged with another category, your listing will automatically move to the new category. If the item specifics differ from the previous category, you'll need to update your listing using our suggested item specifics for more potential visibility on the search results page. Be sure to check your listings to see if any of them have changed categories.

  • How will changes to category IDs affect my multi-quantity listings?

    Your active multi-quantity listings will be moved to the correct category for you. Please make sure you have the latest version of Turbo Lister or other third-party tools to ensure the category IDs reflect the latest changes.

  • How will this change impact my Good 'Til Cancelled listings?

    Any of your Good 'Til Cancelled listings that used the catalog information prior to it being updated will remain intact and continue to include product details from that version, even after the catalog has been updated in the week of September 15th. Should you ever decide to revise these Good 'Til Cancelled listings, however, you will be asked to select a product from the updated catalog.

  • What happens if the updated item specifics don't match my current custom item specifics?

    We recommend you use the eBay-recommended item specifics whenever possible, since custom item specifics won't be matched to the left navigation on the search results page. To make it easier for buyers to find your item, revise your listings using eBay-recommended item specifics.

  • How do I edit my listing when the item specifics in my category change?

    To edit a single listing, select the listing you want to revise in My eBay, then click the "Edit" button. From the "Actions" menu, select "Edit listings". To edit multiple listings, select the listings you want to revise, then click the "Edit" button. From the "Edit" drop-down menu at the top of the page, select "Item specifics". From the drop-down menu at the top of the next screen, select "Edit listings in bulk". Make the changes you want in the grid, then click the "Save and Close" button.

  • I'm using item specifics, but they aren't showing up in the filter options on the results page. Why is this happening?

    If you add your own custom item specifics and values, they will not show up in the left hand navigation. When buyers use the item specific filters, your listing will only get matched if you use an eBay-recommended item specific and value.

  • How will category updates affect my fees?

    Generally speaking, when your item or items are moved to a new category with different final value fees, they take on the final value fees of that new category. Insertion fees and advanced listing upgrade fees will be based on the original category. In cases where the original category has been merged with a category with different fees, you'll be charged the insertion fees and advanced listing upgrade fees for the original category until the listing ends and the final value fees for the category into which the original category was merged. See fees for selling on eBay.or details.

  • What happens if I don't associate my listing to a matching product in the catalog?

    While it's always a best practice to list your item with the eBay catalog whenever there's an exact match available, it is not a requirement to complete your listing. It is important to note, however, that product descriptions from the old catalog will be removed from all listings if you revise, relist, or create a similar listing. If your listing contained a product description from the old catalog, you will either need to update your listing by selecting a new product from the catalog or add your own product description.

  • If I can't find a matching product in the eBay catalog, is there some way to add my product to the catalog?

    Yes. For more information on how to request that your product be added to our catalog, go to https://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/product-details.html.

Updates to parts compatibility listings in Motors Parts & Accessories:

  • What updates are being made to parts compatibility listings in Parts & Accessories?

    In many Parts & Accessories categories, the maximum number of compatible vehicles you can specify in a single listing is being increased to 3,000. Also, parts compatibility will no longer be available for Vintage Car & Truck Parts> Accessories (#42606).

  • Why is the maximum number of compatible vehicles being increased? How will that impact my listings?

    The maximum number of compatible vehicles you can specify for a part is being increased to 3,000. That way, when you are selling items that truly only fit certain vehicles, you’ll be able to sell the part for all vehicles in a single listing without the need to create duplicate listings. This will help you save on listing fees and make it easier for interested buyers to find your item.

  • What should I do if I currently have more than one listing for a part with each listing specifying different compatible vehicles?

    You should combine these listings into one listing. This will help you save on listing fees and make it easier for interested buyers to find your item.

  • When will the parts compatibility limit for listings increase to 3,000 vehicles?

    You will be able to specify up to 3,000 vehicles in your parts compatibility listings starting in early September in the categories where the limit is increasing.

  • What will happen if I exceed the new parts compatibility limit on my listing?

    As is the case today, you will see the maximum number of compatible vehicles allowed for that item and will not be able to exceed the new maximum.

  • In what categories will parts compatibility no longer be available?

    Parts compatibility will no longer be available in eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Vintage Car & Truck Parts > Accessories (Category ID #42606).

  • How will this update in Vintage Car & Truck Parts> Accessories impact my listings in this category?

    For listings in this category that currently specify parts compatibility, the compatibility information will be removed and the listing will no longer show up in search results of buyers who are searching for a part specific to their vehicle.

  • What if I have items in the category that truly only fit certain models?

    If you have an item listed in the ‘Accessories’ category that requires compatibility information, it is recommended that you edit your listing and specify an appropriate category that offers parts compatibility.

  • Will parts compatibility information also be removed from Good ‘Til Cancelled Listings?

    Parts compatibility information will be removed from all live listings in the Parts & Accessories> Vintage Car & Truck Parts> Accessories (#42606) when the listing is relisted, renewed, or revised, including Good ‘Til Cancelled listings. If you have a Good ‘til Cancelled listing in this category that requires compatibility information, be sure to edit your listing and specify an appropriate category that offers parts compatibility.

  • When will parts compatibility no longer be available in eBay Motors > Parts & Accessories > Vintage Car & Truck Parts > Accessories?

    The parts compatibility removal will go into effect after September 15, 2014.

Additional resources—connect & learn more

eBay Radio and Town Hall broadcast with live Q&A

Tune in on August 12, 11am–2pm PST to hear Griff discuss these changes. Also participate in a live Town Hall meeting on August 13, 3:30pm–5:00pm PST and get your questions answered by eBay employees.

Seller checklist and top tips

Keep track of what you need to do—and when—with this helpful list.

Discussion Boards

Join a special Community board and discuss these changes with eBay staff and other sellers.

eBay Webinars with live Q&A

Register now for special online workshops and get your questions answered. Dedicated workshops will dive deep into recent updates, so register for the sessions that interest you the most.