eBay Rolls out New Search in UK

eBay is rolling out new search on the UK site (http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200806131509242.html). Rather than bringing back results solely for matching keywords, search will now look at the category an item is listed in and any item specifics the seller provides so that buyers are more likely to find what they want. Users will be able to switch to and from the old and new systems from within the search results pages, but the old search system will be retired in 4 weeks. eBay UK will also roll out Window Shopping (called snapshot view in the US).

Meanwhile, eBay said its search "playground" feature is now available for Canada. The playground is eBay's interface that lets users try out eBay's new search ("Finding 2.0") technology. eBay told Canadian users that it has implemented changes based on feedback from buyers and sellers who have used the US version of the playground, including navigation driven more heavily by seller-specified item specifics and more consistent with the classic category structures. (http://www2.ebay.com/aw/ca/200806.shtml#2008-06-18154436)