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General Overview of the Policy
The Search and Browse policies are those policies concerned with listing practices that result in a poor or "cluttered" finding experience for buyers or that un-level the playing field between sellers.
An example of search manipulation is keyword spamming. Keyword spamming occurs when members place brand names or other inappropriate keywords in a title or description for the purpose of gaining attention or diverting members to a listing. The searchable text sellers place in listings must be directly relevant to the item being sold.
An example of browse manipulation is mis-categorisation. Mis-categorisation occurs when members intentionally list their auctions in incorrect categories so that browsing buyers view those unrelated listings when browsing in high traffic categories.
Violations of these policies may result in a range of actions, including:
- Listing cancellation
- Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
- Limits on account privileges
- Loss of PowerSeller status
- Account suspension
Search and browse manipulation result in a poor shopping (finding) experience for buyers since it returns listings in which the buyer may have no interest. Search and Browse manipulation also results in an un-level playing field for sellers who do not violate these policies and may receive fewer potential buyers. |
