2017 Spring Update eBay -eliminating unnecessary competition

[Deleted]

Perhaps a small step in the right direction with one change that could positively effect many of us.  For a few years now you have paid your eBay fees dutifully and yet still had traffic directed off-site to purchase the same item from a competing retailer.  Yes, not very cool and o other retailer would do this  You won't see Amazon putting an ad up smack in the middle of the page showing how it can be had for less by just going over to eBay, and nope, Nordstrom doesn't tell the shopper that Neiman's has the better deal on the item they are viewing either.

So, guess what eBay finally may have realized that it is pissing off sellers:


pages.ebay.com/seller-center/seller-updates/2017spring/listings-visibility.html



We’re giving eBay Stores subscribers and Top Rated Sellers new opportunities to help boost the visibility of their listings. In addition, all Top Rated Sellers will receive a quarterly $30 credit to create promoted listings campaigns.
Removal of prominent third party ads to elevate your promoted listings

We’re removing third-party product listing ads across the eBay platform effective May 1, 2017. We will begin replacing the ads with eBay promoted listings at that time, with additional placements coming over the course of the year. Sellers have asked for increased visibility and for removal of ads which take buyers off eBay. With these changes, we are taking strides to provide sellers more opportunity to get added visibility and velocity for their items and to reduce competition from external ad sources. Limited third-party advertisements will continue to be displayed.



So, not only are they going to remove the offending ads, but give you credit (if you are top rated) towards promotions.  Even if you don't like promotions, its still nice not to pay to send business off-site KWIM.  I do tend to use promotions sometimes for items that I just want to push a little more because they weren't moving so I will take the $30.  

Why is eBay making these changes?

Based on sellers’ requests, we are providing more opportunity to increase their visibility as well as reduce competition from external ad sources.

[val2525]

Limited third-party advertisements will continue to be displayed.

Sure would like to know what they mean by "limited" and who it will be.

I don't mind ads to other sellers on eBay. I figure as long as the buyer is staying on eBay to shop, I have a chance of getting their business. Once they leave eBay, however, all bets are off.

[Deleted]

Sending any buyer away from your eCommerce site is an incredibly short-sighted move, and I'm glad they're getting rid of it. Maybe. "Limited."

[Deleted]

Third party advertisements (sponsored links) are still being displayed in completed auctions. I keep seeing them when I research. Sometimes they're inserted before clicking on the top link to bring you to the complete listing, and other times they're at the bottom.

Ebay needs to keep things in house and stop with all the third party revenue. I would love to see the third party income.

[RetroMonde]

I wonder if they're phasing them out a as the contracts expire? That would explain why some are still on the site. I agree; it would be difficult for eBay to give up on the easy money of off-site ads.

[chapeaunoir]

They have a May 1 target date for this - we may see changes then (hopefully).