Waarom staat het product van uw concurrent wel in de ranglijst en dat van u niet? Dat komt vaak door SEO. Zichtbaarheid op eBay (en zelfs Google) begint met Cassini, en hoewel de officiële richtlijnen van eBay u de basisprincipes geven, zijn die slechts het begin.
Om echt op te vallen, moet je verder gaan dan de standaardpraktijken. Laten we verder gaan dan de basis met M2E Insights – inclusief praktische SEO-tips voor categorieën zoals auto-onderdelen, elektronica, horloges en meer.
Wat is het Cassini-algoritme op eBay?
Hoe werkt eBay SEO? Om deze vraag te beantwoorden, moet u de Cassini-tool begrijpen.
Cassini is de zoekmachine van eBay die advertenties rangschikt op basis van relevantie en kwaliteit, niet alleen op basis van trefwoorden. Het houdt rekening met uw titel, itemspecificaties, verkopersprestaties, verzending en hoe vaak uw advertentie tot een verkoop leidt. Algemene of vage advertenties worden waarschijnlijk ondergesneeuwd.
Laten we eens kijken hoe u zoekmachineoptimalisatie op eBay kunt gebruiken.
7 praktische eBay SEO-tips
Veel verkopers onderschatten hoe krachtig zoekmachineoptimalisatie op eBay kan zijn om de zichtbaarheid en verkoop te stimuleren. Deze eBay SEO-tips kunnen ervoor zorgen dat uw producten als eerste worden weergegeven wanneer kopers zoeken. U kunt ook meer lezen over de basisprincipes van SEO op eBay in de officiële marktplaatsgids.
#1: Gebruik trefwoorden vanuit het perspectief van de koper
De Cassini-engine van eBay scant uw titels, beschrijvingen en items. Zorg er dus voor dat uw trefwoorden tellen. Waarom? Zelfs geweldige producten kunnen in de zoekresultaten ondergesneeuwd raken zonder de juiste titeloptimalisatie op eBay.
Denk als een koper
Vraag jezelf af: Wat zou ik typen als ik op zoek was naar dit item?
Een advertentie met de titel “vintage zilveren oorbellen” is duidelijk en goed vindbaar. Maar “mooie glanzende sieraden” zegt niets over het type, het materiaal of het tijdperk.
Waar moet je zoekwoorden plaatsen?
Titeloptimalisatie op eBay is essentieel. Cassini en Google richten zich op uw eerste 5-6 woorden, itemspecificaties en een duidelijke beschrijving.
Gebruik precieze termen zoals “Dell Inspiron 15-batterij” in plaats van vage uitdrukkingen zoals “Hoogwaardige batterij.”
Stop niet te veel zoekwoorden erin
Zoekmachines zijn slim. Uw vermelding kan worden gefilterd of bestraft als deze vol staat met onhandige zinnen of herhaalde termen.
- Bad: “battery Dell battery laptop battery Dell 15 battery new battery”
- Better: “Genuine OEM battery for Dell Inspiron 15 – Type 357F9. Compatible with Dell 5000 Series laptops.”
Do not know where to find the ideas for the keywords for free? Check out this table.
| Tool | Source | Free? | Notes |
| eBay Search Suggestions | eBay | Yes | Directly in the search bar |
| Google Trends | Yes | For trends and seasonality | |
| Ahrefs Keyword Generator | Ahrefs | Yes* | Limited free access |
| Google Keyword Planner | Google Ads | Yes | Requires registration |
| Terapeak | eBay Seller Hub | Yes* | Only for eBay store subscribers |
| Keywordtool.io | keywordtool.io | Yes* | Limited data in the free version |
“Yes*” – means full access may require account registration or subscription.
#2: Unique identifiers = Better ranking
Strong keywords matter, but in crowded categories, unique product identifiers like model numbers give you an edge, they boost visibility on both eBay and Google.
Here’s what to include depending on what you sell:
| Category | Must-Have Identifiers |
| Auto & Moto parts | OEM Number (for the original spare parts), MPN (for the aftermarket Parts) It’s possible to list compatible parts for various car brands under one original part number. |
| Phones & Components | Model Number (e.g., SM-G991B), Part Code |
| Computer hardware | MPN, SKU, CPU/GPU ID (e.g., Intel BX807…) |
| Printer supplies | Cartridge/Toner Code (e.g., CF244A, 302XL) |
| Electronics | OEM Code, Part Number |
| Watches | Reference Number (essential for brands like Rolex) |
| Industrial equipment | Manufacturer Code, Series Number (e.g., Siemens 6ES7…) |
These codes boost search accuracy and help Cassini rank you higher. Know your audience, understanding their search habits is key to smarter listings.
Read more about the unique product identifiers on eBay’s webpage.
#3: Product images: Show, don’t just tell
Photos aren’t just visuals, they’re key to eBay SEO. Cassini favors listings with quality images, helping boost both visibility and buyer trust. Aim for 5–7 photos per listing to stay competitive.
Use high-resolution images
Blurry or pixelated photos turn buyers away, and Cassini, too. Upload clear, high-resolution images (minimum 800px on the longest side; 1600px recommended).
Image source: eBay photo tips guide
Skip the borders
Don’t add borders or frames to your photos. The only exception is if a visible edge naturally appears in the image, such as a white frame around a rectangular product placed on a neutral background.
Clearly show what you’re selling
Buyers need to see exactly what they’re purchasing, no tricks. Avoid misleading visuals like:
- Images that don’t show the actual product;
- Generic icons or graphics instead of real photos;
- Stock photos for used items (unless in Books, Movies, Music, or Video Games).
Image source: eBay photo tips guide
Show multiple angles
Include shots from every relevant perspective:
- Front, back, sides, and bottom;
- Close-ups of key details (logos, labels, textures);
- Any flaws or wear (especially for used items);
This helps reduce returns and builds buyer confidence.
Keep images clean – no text or graphics
Photos should be clean, no text, logos, or promo elements like “Free Shipping” or discount badges. Keep visuals focused on the product, and share any offers in the title or description instead.
Image source: eBay photo tips guide
Provide a sense of scale
Help buyers understand the size of the item without guessing.
Use visual references:
- Hold the item in your hand;
- Place it next to a ruler, phone, or another everyday object.
No watermarks
All watermarks are prohibited, even if you use them to show ownership or protect content.
Image source: eBay photo tips guide
Show the item in use (if applicable)
Lifestyle photos work well for specific categories like apparel, home décor, or accessories. For example:
- A watch on the wrist;
- A phone case on the actual phone;
- Bike pedals are installed on a bike.
#4: Accessibility boosts SEO
Add Alt text to images
Alt attributes help screen readers describe images to visually impaired users and assist search engines in understanding your listing.
Use clear, keyword-rich descriptions (e.g., alt=”Rolex Submariner watch with black dial and stainless steel bracelet“), and avoid leaving them blank or using generic labels like “image1.jpg”.
Use readable fonts and layouts
- Stick to standard, easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Verdana.
- Use font sizes between 12px and 16px for optimal readability.
- Avoid writing in all caps or italicizing large blocks of text.
Choose contrast-friendly colors
High contrast improves readability for everyone, especially users with low vision.
- Use: black on white, navy on light grey;
- Avoid: yellow on white, red on pink, or anything too low contrast.
#5: Choose the right category
Cassini uses category data to match your listing with buyer filters. Even with great keywords, a wrong category can hide your item, so always double-check eBay’s suggested one.
- Selling a pocket watch? Change it from “Wristwatches” to “Pocket Watches”.
- Listing printer cartridges? Don’t leave them under “Printers”, choose “Ink Cartridges” or “Toner Cartridges” instead.
Precision helps both buyers and the algorithm.
#6: Complete your item specifics
Item specifics are a key SEO factor on eBay, not just optional. Cassini uses them to match listings with buyer filters, so skipping them can make your product invisible in search.
What to include
Always complete these core fields (when applicable):
- Brand (e.g., Apple, Bosch, Nike);
- Model Number (e.g., SM-G991B, LC3219XL, CMK16GX4M2B3200C16);
- Type or Subtype (e.g., inkjet cartridge, gaming headset);
- Compatible Products or Vehicles (e.g., “Fits Toyota Corolla 2012–2018”);
- Color, Size, Material (especially for fashion and home categories);
- MPN / OEM Number / Reference Code, where applicable.
Each field helps Cassini better understand your product and match it to buyers. Thus, every detail regarding eBay listing optimization matters from titles to item specifics.
#7: Seller performance matters
Even top listings can drop if your service is poor. Cassini ranks sellers too, rewarding fast handling, tracking, low defect rates, quick replies, and strong feedback. If these slip, so will your visibility.
Extra tip: Leverage stagnant listings
Listings older than 90 days without any activity are often marked as stagnant by eBay. Long-tail items can sell over time, but too many inactive listings can hurt your store’s overall performance.
eBay recommends keeping stagnant listings below 25%. For single-quantity items, end and relist them with updated titles, prices, or specifics, small tweaks can help Cassini re-rank your listing.
SEO optimization for eBay listings with M2E Cloud
Now that you know the key SEO tips for eBay listing optimization, let’s talk about how M2E Cloud fits in. While we’re not a classic SEO tool, we’ve already built in several optimization features – and we’re growing them further to match the needs of our expanding seller community.
Item categorization
M2E Cloud can support you with accurate eBay item categorization – a crucial step for getting your listings in front of the right buyers. Every eBay listing requires a First Item Category, and that’s where we step in.
M2E Cloud suggests a category based on your product, but you can easily change it or reuse a previous one. Browse, search, and save the best fit for each listing with full flexibility.
Custom product titles
On eBay, buyers search using specific terms like brand, size, or model, so if your title doesn’t match, your listing may be missed. With M2E Cloud, you can build SEO-friendly titles by pulling key attributes from your product data. Use default values, specific fields, or combine multiple attributes to create custom titles, and optionally add a subtitle (note: eBay may charge for it).
If your original title is too vague, M2E Cloud lets you enhance it by automatically adding key product details, turning “Jacket” into “Men’s Waterproof Winter Jacket – Black, Size L, Columbia.”
You can control how your eBay titles are generated by choosing a Title Policy: mirror your store name, pull from a custom field, or combine attributes for a more targeted title.
Plus, for auto parts, M2E Cloud supports eBay Motors compatibility, so you can list multiple matching parts under one part number with ease.
Product description
For your product description, M2E Cloud lets you use a store-ready version, pull content from a custom field, or create an advanced HTML layout with dynamic placeholders like title, price, or images. You can preview it instantly to see exactly how it will appear on eBay.
Optimized item specifics = More visibility
eBay’s filters depend on item specifics, if your listing doesn’t include them, it may not appear in filtered search results. With M2E Cloud, you can automatically fill in key item specifics like brand or model, and even add custom ones to showcase unique product features not covered by eBay’s default fields.
FAQ about eBay listing optimization
Do product identifiers improve SEO?
Yes. Identifiers like MPN, GTIN, OEM Number, and Reference Number help Cassini and Google match your listing to exact product searches. They’re essential in auto parts, electronics, and industrial equipment categories.
Helpful resources
Meanwhile, if you sell on Amazon with fewer customers, it’s time to improve your SEO. Learn more about this in our blogs:
- Why is Your Product Not Selling on Amazon? 10 Key Reasons.
- How to Increase Product Visibility on Amazon | 10 SEO Tips from M2E Pro.
Final thoughts about eBay SEO tips
Good SEO isn’t about tricks but clarity, structure, and trust. Effective search engine optimization on eBay helps your listings appear higher in both eBay and Google search results, driving more traffic to your products.
Marketing manager of SetTime adds: “Retention improves when you lower customer effort at every step, clear next actions, predictable service levels, and self-service options for common tasks. Measure friction with Customer Effort Score and time-to-resolution, then fix the highest-effort moments first; small wins (e.g., transparent status updates, streamlined reordering) compound. This focus pays off: even modest gains in retention can yield outsized profit impact, and research shows ‘effortless’ experiences are strongly tied to loyalty.”
You’re already ahead with eBay insights and M2E tips. We’re improving tools to boost your SEO, stay tuned and keep your listings rising.
Read more about eCommerce insights and tips in our blog.
