Reporting keyword spamming is now a nightmare

[weiwu108]

Has anyone else noticed how difficult eBay have made it to report misleading listings?

I keep getting search alerts for genuine brands (e.g. Margaret Howell) only to end up looking at unrelated items (overpriced Dunn & Co. overcoat)— usually keyword-spammed titles that have nothing to do with the brand. These listings clearly break eBay’s own Search & Browse Manipulation rules, yet the “Report item” link is buried or missing altogether (especially on Pre-loved Partner listings).

It just took me half an hour to report a single item. Why is eBay protecting sellers who misuse keywords, while genuine sellers and buyers waste time?

This isn’t about nitpicking — it’s about search results being trustworthy. If buyers lose confidence that searches and keyword alerts show what they asked for, everyone loses.

eBay has buried the 'report item' facility - I appreciate this could be abused so I respect that but this seems to align with their 'free for all' approach where they have given up monitoring what's happening (fake goods condoned now).  I know it's tempting to look back on the fantasy of a 'golden age of eBay' but this seems to be a rather sad lowering of standards. 

Has anyone else run into this?

PS - I attached the listing in question - misleading keywords are obvious and plentiful....

[style_wise]

Yes, I think I can confidently say anyone who buys on eBay has noticed Keyword Spamming. Yes, eBay have changed the Report features including report topic titles.

I actually think it is quicker and easier now (once you get used to it). To save other Buyers from having to spend time getting familiar with the new, for Keyword Spamming within the listing click:

? icon

1st dropdown - Product or Listing

2nd dropdown - A problem in the listing

3rd dropdown - Search manipulation

tick 'I confirm that...'

Submit report

[weiwu108]

I feel like I want to start this reply by saying, 'I'm not stupid' 🙂 

You wrote: 'I actually think it is quicker and easier now'.

Really? I looked for the '?' icon and it wasn't actually on this listing, that's why it took me so long to find a way to report it.  Presumably, it's because the seller is a 'Pre-loved Partner' they don't have to show any reporting features. Really. It's not actually there on the listing.

I had to go to a separate page and select an item I had bought or browsed which is ok but it just took a while to find it. I wouldn't say it's hidden, exactly, but it's not obvious. As I mentioned, I appreciate reporting can be abused so I am sympathetic but it does look like they have gone out of their way to make it more difficult to find.

Interesting phenomenon. I started another thread about the way EBay condones the selling of fake goods and the thread really gained a lot of traction and support, running into 4 or 5 pages of people sharing their experiences and views. It was interesting and affirming... however, I noticed the first replies were belittling and dismissive ...  strange.

[weiwu108]

I just want to add, I am impressed that I received an email within 2 hours of reporting the keyword spamming offence (just this morning) to say the offending listing had been removed and the seller informed etc. The seller can appeal but I am grateful for the prompt and thoughtful response from eBay.

Btw, I don't know if I am being paranoid, perhaps I am, but I have noticed there are sellers on these forums who, if I didn't know better,  behave as if they receive financial benefit from eBay for responding to 'eBay -nagative' posts in a calming and eBay-positive way. For example, "Hey, I really like the new Simple post system", or "I really like not being able to withdraw my money for a month, it keeps it nice and safe for me so I don't spend it foolishly" etc. Anyway, probably just being paranoid but when you check on the history of some of these consistently eBay-friendly forum posters, there seems to be a pattern of calm, measured and 'pouring oil on troubled water' style posting. Perhaps they are just nice people . . . 

[moonlight-rhapsody]

Thank you very much to both of you, as I didn't even know listings could be reported for search manipulation.  Initially I couldn’t find either of the ways you’ve both mentioned, so for the benefit of anyone else who can’t see how to do it, here is the “Idiot’s Guide” - no offence intended, I was obviously one myself until I discovered how 😁

1.  The ? icon appears on every single listing page - it floats so it's always at the bottom of the screen.  Never noticed it before?  No, nor me 🤣 It’s the Help icon, which you can use to report listings.

2.  On the Home page, it shows “Recently Viewed”.  Click the link to “See all” and against each image are 3 dots which click through to the Help & Report pop-up.

Easy when you know how!

So I'm about to report 15 listings which contravene the search manipulation rule and which I've raised several times in Community Chat.  On reflection I’m a bit surprised that the ebay reps didn't tell me that I could report the listings to try and get them removed.

[weiwu108]

You wote: On the Home page, it shows “Recently Viewed”.  Click the link to “See all” and against each image are 3 dots which click through to the Help & Report pop-up

This is brilliant! Very straightforward and easy to reach. Thank you . . .

And, yes, go ahead and report those 15!

[jckl1957]

All listings have the little 'report icon' - a question mark inside a circle, even if it is an Ebay pre-loved partner.

The screenshot below shows a random example - the seller has the Pre-loved Partner 'tick' and in the bottom right hand corner, is the question mark in a circle.

Help & contact on your Ebay front page is also helpful.

Using the search term 'report an item brings you to:  

How to report a product

You can report a product by following these steps:

1. On the page where you saw the content, select the question mark icon. On a mobile device, click the three dots. 
2. Under Report content, select Submit report. You may be asked to sign in, or submit as a guest.
3. Under What would you like to report?, select the correct type of content, e.g. Feedback.
4. Fill in the form, including the details of the content you’re reporting, and the reason for reporting it. You can also add freeform text and upload documents.
5. Select Submit report.

[moonlight-rhapsody]

"So I'm about to report 15 listings which contravene the search manipulation rule and which I've raised several times in Community Chat."

Within a few minutes I've had 15 AI-generated replies.  Apparently not one of them contravenes the rules.  So evidently it's quite within the rules to describe the Grand Canyon as a "Seascape", likewise a Forest, a Mountain, a Red Rose, some Calligraphy etc.

Apparently I can appeal.  Call me cynical but does AI refuse ALL reports in the hope that not many people will bother with an appeal.

[moonlight-rhapsody]

• Under What would you like to report?, select the correct type of content, e.g. Feedback.

In the context of this thread, I selected (as style_wise posted):

> Product or Listing

> a problem in the listing

> Search manipulation

> Additional details (I listed the keywords that were irrelevant to the item)

[jckl1957]

Is the seller using the word 'seascape' in the title for a painting/image that is actually of the Grand Canyon or is the issue with Ebay's search facility?

Looking at your posts on this (sorry if I am wrong) it seems to me that you are looking for seascapes and Ebay is giving you pages of irrelevant listings.

That is not keyword spamming by the seller - that is Ebay's search facility not working properly.

Reporting the seller won't work as they haven't done anything to suggest they are selling a seascape.

Although this listing, for example, uses the word watercolour which could suggest a connection to the sea!

GRAND CANYON Arizona Travel USA Original watercolour painting 6” x 4”

[moonlight-rhapsody]

"Reporting the seller won't work as they haven't done anything to suggest they are selling a seascape."

Yes they have.  All the reported listings have "Seascape" in the Subject line in Item Specifics.  So AI apparently thinks that the Grand Canyon, Forests etc can accurately be described as a "seascape".

However, it's not just AI.  I've also had one reply from a Customer Service Agent, about the listing of a "Japanese Red Rose Watercolour Painting".  The CS agent also says it doesn't violate the rules, even though that listing says "Seaside, Seascape, ocean" in the Subject line.

There's a picture of an airfield which says "Seafaring, Seascape, Seaside, Sunsets, Boats, Sea" in the Subject line, but that's OK too apparently.

I've had enough of this nonsense.  I had a few listings still with Custom Delivery but I've now removed those as well.  My listings wouldn't have earned ebay very much, but they don't deserve anything when, along with Simple Delivery etc, they make it so hard to sell anything.

[weiwu108]

I just want to chip and say I appreciate your frustration and annoyance about this, it's not right.

It also wastes people's time if, based on search results, they end up at listings they have no interest in.