Policy Update: Addition to Keyword Spam Policy

[amy]

***Addition to Keyword Spam Policy*** 

January 26, 2006 | 03:08PM PST/PT

Sarah Brubacher
Sarah Brubacher
Hi... This is Sarah Brubacher from the Policy Management Team. I wanted to let you know that we've recently added a section to our Keyword Spam policy to address a type of keyword spamming known as "compatibility."

Typically we see this type of keyword spamming for accessory-type items that are intended to be compatible with specific brands or models. Sometimes the listing title includes names of specific brands or models with which compatibility is claimed, but it's not clear if the item was also made by the same company. This can lead to buyer confusion about who is the manufacturer of the accessory.

The update to the policy states:

    Sellers who list accessory items that are intended to be compatible with specific brands or models may identify those brands or models in the listing title. However, sellers may not mislead buyers into believing they could be purchasing a product made by the same company that makes the brand or model with which compatibility is claimed.

To help avoid confusion among your buyers about the manufacturer of the accessory, we recommend that sellers include words such as "compatible" or "fits" preceding the brand/model names.

Here's an example that shows what is allowed and not allowed, as well as the reasoning:

    What is allowed: "Headset fits Samsung i330 i500 i600 i700"
    Reasoning: This listing states that the headset was manufactured to fit these specific Samsung models.

    What is not allowed: "Headset Samsung i330 i500 i600 i700"
    Reasoning: It's unclear if the headset was actually manufactured by Samsung.

You can find more examples on compatibility under "Some Examples" on the updated Keyword Spam policy page.

[bargainbloodhound]

Keyword spamming also results in an unlevel playing field for sellers who do not keyword spam and may receive fewer potential buyers.

corrected version:

Keyword spamming and eBay's failure to enforce policy violations committed by its largest sellers also results in an unlevel playing field for sellers who are not on a first name basis with Meg and do not keyword spam and may receive fewer potential buyers.

[snugglypuppy]