New Finding API

The Finding API was announced at this year's Developers Conference in San Jose. The Developers Program is launching the Finding API today. The API enables developers to build applications leveraging eBay's next-generation finding technology.

Photo by HeideHo

The API will replace current search calls in the Shopping API and the Trading API. The search calls in the Shopping API and the Trading API will be deprecated after a period of 12 months.

Increased search relevancy, and parity with the eBay site search features are some of the highlights of the new API. New features introduced in the Finding API include support for searching by the characteristics of an item and advanced item filtering capabilities.

More information about the API can be found at http://developer.ebay.com/products/finding/

Keynote videos, session decks & photos from eBay DevCon 2009

The post-event eBay DevCon Web site is up! Keynote Videos, Session Decks, Photos, Star Developer Award Winner interviews, and more:

• http://www.ebay.com/devcon

Session videos and a highlights video are coming soon - check the developer blog to get notified when these go live.

- Delyn

New eBay Event -- eBay: On Location

Today eBay announced plans for a series of smaller events "within a day's drive for as many sellers and buyers as possible." The new program is called eBay: On Location. eBay: On Location will kick off in Orlando in February, and wrap up in San Jose in August with a 15th anniversary celebration.

eBay Developers Conference plans are still being finalized for 2010, so keep an eye on the developer blog to see those plans unfold. We're pretty excited about eBay's 15th anniversary, and hope you are too!

For more information on eBay: On Location, see the announcement.

Reminder: Don't Lose your Recent Sales Score

It's important to manage your listings to maintain your Recent Sales score. Having strong Recent Sales can give you a promotion in Best Match.

Editing a Live Listing

There has been some confusion about how to avoid resetting a listing's Recent Sales score. These are the only edits that that will reset the Recent Sales score:

• Increase price
• Change title
• Remove item condition
• Change category

Updating Item Description, Quantity, and so on will NOT reset your Recent Sales score.

Relisting an Item

The ONLY way to maintain the Recent Sales score for a relisted item is to use RelistItem, and include the ItemID of the original item. Some developers use RelistItem only in cases where they know the seller will get a relist credit. You should use RelistItem in ALL cases, so you get the maximum benefit of recent sales on the item.

In addition, you should relist as soon as the original item ends, to take best advantage of the moving window for Recent Sales calculation.

Also, a multi-quantity listing has more impact on Recent Sales than a single-quantity item, so single-quantity listings should be combined when possible. You'll save on listing fees too!

For listings with multiple variations, RelistFixedPriceItem will help you carry over your Recent Sales score.

FYI: Microsoft Video Vulnerability in Internet Explorer

Yesterday Microsoft announced a vulnerability in the Microsoft Video ActiveX Control. This effects Internet Explorer on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. No patch exists yet, but a workaround is available. In the meantime, we suggest the following security measures:

• Enable auto-update for your Windows system.
• Install anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware software and update their signatures. eBay has links to trial and discounted providers in the Security Center.
• Follow good security practices: don't run untrusted software, click unexpected attachments, or follow links to untrusted websites.

See more information on this vulnerability from eBay or Microsoft.