eBay item specifics: which ones matter and how to fill them fast

eBay item specifics are the structured fields of an eBay listing, such as brand, size, colour, material and model, each a name with a value like "Colour: Navy". eBay uses item specifics to build the filters buyers use to narrow search results, so a listing missing a specific drops out of every search that uses that filter. Fill every Required and Required soon specific first, then every Recommended specific that is true of the item, choosing eBay's suggested values wherever eBay offers a list.

What are item specifics on eBay?

eBay describes item specifics as "descriptive keywords that tell a buyer about your item". Item specifics are the name and value pairs of an eBay listing: brand, size, colour, material, model, style and many more, depending on the category.

eBay item specifics do two jobs:

• Filters. Buyers narrow eBay search results with item specifics, and a listing appears in a filtered result only when the matching item specific is filled in. eBay says: "Buyers use item specifics to filter their search results."
• Search. eBay's advice to sellers says "Complete and accurate item specifics are likely to increase the visibility of your listing in eBay search results."

Which eBay item specifics are required?

eBay sorts item specifics into four groups in the listing form, and the group tells a seller what to fill first.

eBay's advice is to complete item specifics in that order: Required, Required soon, then Recommended. eBay's listing form shows a meter of how complete a listing's specifics are, and ranks Recommended specifics by how many buyers searched them in the last 30 days. The set of Required specifics changes by category, and eBay's listing form names the exact set for each one.

Why do missing item specifics hide an eBay listing?

The filters on the left of eBay's search results, such as size, brand, colour, condition and price, are built from item specifics. A buyer who sets "Size: 10" sees only listings that carry size 10 in their item specifics, so an eBay listing without a size specific is absent from that buyer's results, however good its title and photos.

eBay sellers who ask on eBay's community why their listings get no views are often told to fill in their item specifics. A missing specific makes a listing less detailed and, more costly, removes it from every filtered search that uses the missing field.

eBay item specifics also appear on the listing page, where a buyer checks size, colour, material and model at a glance. eBay notes that additional specifics may reduce buyer questions.

What happens when eBay makes a specific required?

eBay adds required item specifics over time. When eBay adds one, listings that lack it show a note in the Required soon group with the date eBay will enforce the new specific. Treat the date on that note as a deadline:

1. Find the affected listings with eBay's file tools, or filter for listings with missing specifics in Seller Hub.
2. Fill the new specific for every affected listing, in bulk where you can.
3. Upload and check that the note has gone.

Filling a Required soon specific before its date keeps the listings in filtered searches on the day eBay's rule changes.

How do you match the values eBay suggests?

eBay offers a list of values for many item specifics, and a value chosen from eBay's list matches eBay's filters exactly. "Navy" from eBay's list matches the "Navy" filter, while "dark blue" typed in may match nothing.

• Choose from eBay's list where you can.
• Use the exact brand name as eBay lists it.
• Use eBay's size systems, such as "US Men's 10", not a notation of your making.
• Type a custom value only when none fits, and keep it short and exact.

eBay's developer specification sets the limits for item specifics: a name of up to 40 characters, a value of up to 50 characters, and up to 30 values for some specifics.

Keep every eBay item specific true. eBay's search manipulation policy does not allow keywords that are not directly related to the item, so a brand or style entered to catch more searches breaks eBay's policy.

Which item specifics matter most for clothing, electronics and home goods?

The item specifics buyers filter on differ by category. The table below lists typical specifics for three large categories; eBay's listing form names the exact set for each category.

Clothing. Size is usually the most important eBay item specific for clothing. Give the size exactly as the garment's label says, in eBay's size system, and add the garment's measurements in the description for buyers between sizes. Fill Occasion and Season only where they are true.

Electronics. Compatibility decides whether an electronics accessory is found at all on eBay. A phone case that does not list the phone models it fits is invisible to a buyer filtering by their phone, and a charger that does not list its connector is invisible to a buyer filtering by theirs. For used electronics, say what was tested.

Home goods. Dimensions matter for home goods on eBay because buyers check whether something will fit. Enter height, width, depth or diameter as item specifics where the category offers them, not only in the description.

What does a fully filled eBay listing look like?

A made-up example shows the title and item specifics working together for a pair of used men's leather boots.

• Title (80 characters or fewer): Brand Chelsea Boots Mens Size 10 Brown Leather Pull On Ankle Boots
• Brand: the brand, as eBay lists it
• Department: Men
• US Shoe Size: 10
• Width: Medium
• Colour: Brown
• Upper Material: Leather
• Style: Chelsea
• Closure: Pull On
• Shaft Height: Ankle
• Occasion: Casual
• Condition description: light creasing at the toes, soles in good condition, no marks inside

A buyer who searches "chelsea boots" and then filters by size 10, men's, brown and leather finds the example boots listing at every step. A listing with the same title and only the brand filled in drops out at the first filter.

How should used items describe their condition on eBay?

For used and refurbished items on eBay, condition is both a filter and a reason to buy. Choose the right condition from eBay's list, then describe the item's condition precisely in the condition description: what is worn, what is missing and what was tested. eBay asks for a complete and accurate description "including its condition", with any defects or damage. Photograph every flaw the condition description mentions, so the listing's images match its words.

What are the most common eBay item specifics mistakes?

How do you fill item specifics fast for many eBay listings?

eBay offers four ways to fill missing item specifics without opening each listing:

• Seller Hub tasks, which list the listings with missing specifics.
• Quick filters on active listings, to find listings missing a specific.
• "Add item specifics" from the active listings page.
• A download and upload file, for editing many listings in a spreadsheet.

Work in eBay's order: Required first, then Required soon, then the Recommended specifics with the most buyer searches.

For a listing with variations, such as sizes and colours, each variation detail must be a valid eBay item specific. eBay's example is choosing a variation detail like "Finish" for tap finishes rather than "Type"; if no valid detail fits the variations, list the items separately.

Where should item specifics values come from?

The quickest way to fill eBay item specifics well is to have each product's facts ready before listing: brand, model and part number, every measurement, materials, colours, sizes and compatible models. The same product record fills eBay's item specifics, Amazon's attributes, Etsy's attributes and Walmart's attributes, each named differently but holding the same facts. The article on listing on several marketplaces covers keeping one set of facts for every channel. For used items, write the condition notes while photographing the item, with the flaws in front of you.

How do the eBay title and item specifics work together?

The eBay title and eBay item specifics do different jobs, and a listing needs both. The title, up to 80 characters, matches the words buyers type in eBay search. The item specifics match the filters buyers set after searching. Put size and colour in the title where buyers type them, and in the item specifics where buyers filter by them. The guide to eBay SEO covers writing the title.

An eBay item specifics checklist

1. Every Required and Required soon specific filled.
2. Every Recommended specific that is true of the item.
3. Values chosen from eBay's lists where offered.
4. Size, colour and brand exactly as on the label.
5. Compatibility filled for parts and accessories.
6. Dimensions entered as specifics for home goods.
7. Nothing entered that is not true of the item.

How Commicorn helps

• Item specifics in your eBay export, filled from the facts you give us: brand, size, colour, material, dimensions and the rest your category asks for.
• An eBay title within 80 characters, written from the same facts.
• One set of facts behind your eBay listing and every other marketplace, so the specifics match the title, the description and the listing images.

Commicorn fills item specifics from your product details. Start free.

Questions sellers ask

What are the required item specifics on eBay?

eBay's required item specifics depend on the category, and the listing form names them in its Required group. eBay asks sellers to complete Required specifics for every new or revised listing, then the Required soon specifics before the date shown.

Why does eBay say my item specifics are missing?

eBay flags missing item specifics when a listing lacks a Required or Required soon specific for its category, often after eBay adds a new one. Seller Hub tasks and quick filters on active listings show which listings need the specific.

Do eBay item specifics help listings appear in search?

eBay says complete and accurate item specifics are likely to increase a listing's visibility in eBay search results. Item specifics also decide whether a listing appears when a buyer filters results by size, brand, colour or another specific.

How long can an eBay item specific be?

eBay's developer specification allows an item specific name of up to 40 characters and a value of up to 50 characters.

Can I add a brand to item specifics that my item is not?

No. eBay's search manipulation policy does not allow keywords that are not directly related to the item, and that includes brand and style values.