Category & Item Specifics Updates

Which categories are being changed?Expand

Please see the complete list of category updates.

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

Start using the new and revised categories as soon as they become available in October.

Which item specifics are being changed?Expand

Please see a complete list of item specific updates for Fall 2015.

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

Item specifics for categories that will be going away will appear on the site starting in October.

Use the newly added item specifics to help ensure items are moved to the best possible replacement category on October 12th. Using the recommended item specifics will also help ensure that:
a) your item is classified correctly and is more likely to be returned in search
b) buyers can find your item more easily by refining their search results using the left hand navigation refinements

What happens if I don’t use the new and recommended item specifics in my listings?Expand

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?Expand

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 listing?Expand

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?Expand

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 in 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?Expand

Starting in October, 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?Expand

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—experiences. Therefore, in cases where an exact match cannot be found, please complete 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?Expand

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 greater 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?Expand

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?Expand

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 October. 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?Expand

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?Expand

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?Expand

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?Expand

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 for details.

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

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?Expand

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.