Item Specifics
Item Specifics tell buyers what you’re selling and are crucial to your search visibility and sales. The more data you give us about your listings, the better we can match you with buyers in search.
What are Item Specifics?
Item Specifics such as brand, make, model, size, colour and style are key to helping shoppers find your items on eBay. They match with the filters that buyers use onsite so we can match you with the right buyers.
We’ve been implementing ‘required’ item specifics for some eBay categories to optimise listings for eBay search. Once an item specific becomes ‘required’, you can only publish your new or revised listings when the required information is filled.
To get the best results from your listings, add as many Item Specifics as you can and be aware of those that are required in your categories.
Why Item Specifics are important
Adding Item Specifics to your listings is crucial to your visibility and competitive ranking in search results, both on and off eBay. By adding them, you’ll benefit from:
- Increased Search Visibility: Your listing will only appear in buyers’ filtered search results if you’ve added the information to your listing
- Improved Search Ranking: Item Specifics move your listings higher in search results, both on eBay and the other search engines we work with like Google Shopping
- Connecting with the Right Buyers: When you provide Item Specifics, we can better connect you with buyers searching for your products
- Inclusion in New Buyer Experiences: By listing with Item Specifics, your listings are included in new buyer experiences on the platform, so we can showcase similar items together, cross-sell and suggest relevant inventory to buyers
How to add item specifics to your listings
When you create listings on eBay, you’ll see a section to add relevant Item Specifics for your listing. As indicated by the lightning bolt, the more item specifics you add the better it is for your listing performance.
We require Item Specifics in some categories, so you’ll see these highlighted in your listing flow. You can download a report on the Seller Hb Active Listings page which allows you to download an Excel file of your listings, identify and update missing item specifics in bulk and re-upload the file to apply the changes. You can watch the video on how to do this.
Required vs Recommended Item Specifics
As mentioned, we require some item specifics for you to successfully edit and public listings in certain categories.
We also recommend Item specifics for you to fill out, to optimise your listings and better match you with buyers.
“Required” Item Specifics are considered essential information for buyers shopping for these products. You won't be able to create or revise listings without entering these details.
“Recommended” Item Specifics are based on frequently searched terms. Including recommended Item Specifics will help buyers to find your listings more easily and understand exactly what you're selling.
Item Specifics Requirements
To help you sell, we’re continuing to expand Item Specifics requirements in certain categories. You will only be able to publish your new or revised listings in these categories, once you’ve filled out the required information.
Learn more about Item Specifics requirements →