Do you ensure you have 12 photos for each listing?

Tagged: photos

This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 2 months ago by Paul.

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- 02/08/2017 at 10:30 pm #12104
  Amatino
  Participant
  Location: Texas
  @amatino
  I’ve heard that Cassini “likes” 12 photos for each listing and it’s very important to use all 12 photo options.
  
  Despite that, I’m seeing sellers who do well with as few as 4 photos for an item.
  
  What’s your opinion?
- 02/08/2017 at 10:34 pm #12105
  MyCottage
  Participant
  Location:
  @mycottage
  I don’t worry about what Cassini likes…I use as many photos as the item seems to need. Sometimes that’s all 12, often, that’s less.
- 02/08/2017 at 10:43 pm #12107
  ebaymom
  Participant
  Location: Ohio
  @ebaymom
  I have been using up all 12 slots – but yeah, sometimes it is overkill and gets redundant for something small – if it doesn’t need it, I would just use what is needed to describe it.
- 02/09/2017 at 6:59 am #12116
  Jay
  Keymaster
  Location: Virginia
  @jay
  Just curious, where did you hear Cassini likes 12 photos and presumably gives better search results to 12 photos vs 10 photos? Nice to start with the source.
  
  A CS rep told us that we need to have at least three photos. I can imagine (but have no proof) that the search engine deprioritizes items that have only one photo. There are oddly lots of long time sellers that just never have gotten in the habit of providing photos.
- 02/09/2017 at 1:11 pm #12151
  Liz
  Participant
  Location:
  @stuff-my-mom-threw-away
  I try to use all the slots, but sometimes an item is simple to photograph, and doesn’t need all 12 to describe it.
- 02/09/2017 at 1:22 pm #12153
  almasty
  Participant
  Location:
  @alamasty
  Most items I list get 2 photos. Others get 3-5+, while some only have 1. Those with 3-5 will sometimes take years to sell, while an item with 1 photo will sell in a day.
  
  I’ve only had the chance to list 30 items so far this week, 20 with just 1 photo apiece. 5 of the listings with 1 photo sold within a day of listing.
  - 02/09/2017 at 1:32 pm #12154
    Jay
    Keymaster
    
    Location: Virginia
    @jay
    What kind of items only needed one photo and sold within a day?
    - 02/09/2017 at 2:11 pm #12158
      almasty
      Participant
      
      Location:
      @alamasty
      
      In this case, some very specific train collectible pamphlets that only needed cover scans. Collectors know what the content is and only need to see covers. Additional photographs or scans could potentially damage the pamphlets. I add a lot of details to the condition notes to make up for the lack of additional photos.
- 02/09/2017 at 1:45 pm #12155
  MyCottage
  Participant
  Location:
  @mycottage
  Jay, I can’t answer that question, but I can tell you that some postcards can sell with two photos, and sometimes one.
- 02/10/2017 at 2:58 pm #12251
  Amatino
  Participant
  Location: Texas
  @amatino
  Thanks for your responses, everyone. Sorry about my slow response, I had knee surgery and it has taken me a couple days to get back online.
  
  Jay – I thought I had bookmarked where I read that 12 photos are preferred. I can’t find that particular article, but I did find these two:
  
  I’m new to selling, only just over 100 items in my store, so perhaps the suggestion to “use all 12” was what stuck in my mind? I’ve been working on filling all 12 slots, and it’s easy when there are flaws, damage, or lots of really interesting details, but it’s a time sink when the item is simple and 2-4 photos will do. I did note the 2nd link suggests 8-12. Perhaps that’s what I should shoot for.
- 02/10/2017 at 3:37 pm #12253
  Paul
  Participant
  Location:
  @paul
  I use at least 3 photos as a rule. Even something like a pin or coin gets a front, back and I’ll take a photo of any wear that needs it or I’ll throw a ruler next to it to get a third.
  
  Most things need more than 3 in my experience but I have sold many thousands of items and have only used all 12 photos maybe 15 times. Only on very high value items if they need it.
  
  Cassini is a search algorithm and does exist, but I don’t put too much stock into trying to trick it. Ebay wants you to sell stuff. That’s their business model. Follow the rules and use common sense and you’ll be fine generally.
  - This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Paul.
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