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Sat Dec 6 2025 07:51:27

Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

By: Reader

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A seller explained why they felt eBay's new ad attribution policy going into effect in January is flawed, explaining that they click on hundreds of promoted listings a week in the course of conducting research to describe and list their own items.

Dear Ina,

I click on a hundred or more ads a week researching prices, checking ads for information I might not know, etc. If these people are paying for advertising, then they are paying for zero sales as I am not interested in buying their items, only the information. 

I don't use sell similar for what other people are selling. It is easier for me to enter my own information that pertains to the item I am selling. I always use my own photos for my listings. I note many of the big book sellers use stock photos that show a new book but then list the book as acceptable or good as it is worn or has other problems. 
Signed,
Gumball on Ecommerce



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Readers Comments

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: etectra This user has validated their user name.

Sat Dec 6 10:28:32 2025

Are workers in eBay's Indian call center clicking on ads to generate revenue?

They are totally useless for anything else and considering the lack of conscience among eBay mangers would you put it past them?

Ads are for clueless newbs and eBay fanboys.

I don't click on any ads when researching prices.

Many times these searches produce no results on eBay yet the same exact search terms on Google find items on eBay. eBay 's search engine is hiding items as that lets them scam via promoted listings and allows them to generate more revenue from insertion fees and store subscriptions for items that did not sell. eBay is like a carny encouraging you keep playing a rigged game.

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: Snapped This user has validated their user name.

Mon Dec 8 02:37:44 2025

What precautions are taken to protect sellers from unearned raking who, despite all reason, still elect to promote via eBay schema, and who are visited by competitors for whatever nefarious or benign motive?  Competitors who may not have such visibility advantage, and who could profit by proxy as they increase the COGS for said advertisers?

We know that answer.  Because, what precautions might one expect from a company who stands to profit from nothing more that such an edict as it applies to clear lack of purchase intent?  One with, say, the business ethics and morals eBay has exhibited unto this day?

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: Nonesuch This user has validated their user name.

Mon Dec 8 03:13:57 2025

Yes, sellers effectively charged for clicks no matter that there's no sale.  It's all unfair to sellers but eBay is now addicted to ad revenue.  Advertising and other fee revenue are eBay's only real source of revenue growth.    

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: NYSteve This user has validated their user name.

Mon Dec 8 12:03:25 2025

This post sounds like it was written by a shopper that goes into B+M stores and asks all the questions, then buys it online for the 5% off

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: lstreeter This user has validated their user name.

Mon Dec 8 13:20:15 2025

Not sure why you are talking about clicks.  The promoted listing will charge you whether someone clicks on it or not.  THAT is the real problem.  I didn't really use promoted all that much.  90% of my sales where generated organically so i never really saw the value other than paying ebay more money once in a while. I have removed promoted from all of my listings.  If everyone did the same, ebay might change their tune!

Perminate Link for Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed   Example of Why New eBay Ad Attribution Is Flawed

by: AddyUp This user has validated their user name.

Tue Dec 9 07:25:16 2025

It's not a flaw.

It's ebay's deliberate design.



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