Question
The following can be found in the source code of numerous auctions. This seller has 2 ID's which both use the same hidden text. The seller has been reported for keyword spamming numerous times but the auctions continue to run. Does eBay not consider keyword spamming to be a serious issue? It sure does screw up the search results.
Bolding is mine:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Congratulations - you have found my hidden "keywords" set here to draw the unsuspecting to my listing. Thanks for visiting! rare classic scarce kinky gay leather fetish sex sexy erotic porno porn pornography pornographic interest one of a kind oop ooak out of print gga good girl art nrfp mib franklin mint perfect htf hard to find new used mfsl gold cd limited first edition sale cheap inexpensive bargain lot bestseller fine excellent lingerie underwear thong abercrombie discontinued exclusive unique disney barbie toy game games digital computer cell cellular electronic electronics printer ink music dvd vhs movie film close out closeout clearance estate vintage antique harry potter lord rings beatles pink floyd rolling stones led zeppelin concert tickets rock nascar football baseball basketball soccer tennis card trading sports made in america american england english war peace iraq saddam osama president bush terrorist 9/11 memorabilia collectible collectable food chocolate candy beach camping vacation
holiday travel trip hotel truck restaurant pet pets dog dogs cat cats supplies home office summer television tv bible prophecy christian house home decorating decor print prints box boxed lot set liquidation wholesale direct telephone phone it mb kb upgrade copy download disc disk video sleaze lesbian queen nude naked butch sexual mature x-rated adult u2 mccartney horror romance romantic comedy action garden gardening baby infant goth gothic teen child boomer car suv playstation xbox x-box x box gameboy nintendo sega sony volume collection hobby hobbies usa troops military armed forces casino gambling gamble african europe european muslim islam buddha buddhist zen jewish judaism jesus christ age old novelty signed wicca wiccan witch witchcraft earth pagan reality jewelry god post goddess bless worship religion religious occult magic supernatural astrology esp ufo perfect beanie babies buddy buddies precious moments avon hallmark gap navy pottery barn pier one crate barrel gucci versace armani prada coach
designer calvin klein ralph lauren tommy hilfiger budweiser jack daniels coors bud light labatt molson trademark coke coca-cola trade original ornament ibm keepsake microsoft windows money cash dollars star wars demo democrat republican dungeon siege eminem hip hop kazaa avril software ps2 target lyrics anime snes yugioh pokemon replica award winning beany stephen king 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Blanche
Answer
I'd have no problems if he was suspended for a few months, in fact I'd applaud the suspension. Sellers like that would make the descriptive search worthless given the chance.
Answer
What a twit.
He's an excellent seller of paperbacks. Imagine, one of the things I normally throw away at $150, with a bid to boot.
But paperback collectors are such a niche market he has no NEED to sucker in porno, toy, game, antique, sports, and lingerie collectors. They would simply not be interested.
______________________________
THE DREAM OF REASON PRODUCES MONSTERS - Goya
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"I have some concerns about Ashcroft..." - A certain green feller
Answer
bh,
Sorry for a dumb question.
But can you explain that:
---------------
<head>
</FONT></DIV></FONT></FONT></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE style="LETTER-SPACING: -50pt" cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%"
border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width="15%"><FONT face=Arial color=#ffffff size=1>
. Congratulations - you have found my hidden "keywords" set ...
---------------------
My HTML is very rusty. Looks like black on black. But how is he HIDING it??
______________________________
THE DREAM OF REASON PRODUCES MONSTERS - Goya
-----------
"I have some concerns about Ashcroft..." - A certain green feller
Answer
Hi snakebait. It is black on black - if you use the SELECT ALL tool you'll see a black rectangle right under his description. It's part of the "thanks for bidding" GIF.
He's also used a JavaScript code to keep anyone from being able to right click and view source but it only works if you have JS enabled which you and I don't. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
On top of everything else, he's using one of those annoying trailing cursor scripts which follow you around. Again, it doesn't affect me because I don't browse with JS enabled.
He sells a lot of vintage books and I'm surprised he's using hidden text in his auctions because the book category is not where you usually see illegal auction listings.
Blanche
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The seller has been reported for keyword spamming numerous times but the auctions continue to run. Does eBay not consider keyword spamming to be a serious issue? It sure does screw up the search results.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Blanche,
If this is true, and you can prove the seller has been reported and ebaY is ignoring his keyword spamming, I bet Tagnotes or Auctionbytes would be interested in reporting it to a wider audience. I assume you are posting this in the hopes publicity will get it stopped, since reporting it to ebaY has not? Those two publications might get ebaY's attention and get it stopped.
In any case, key word spamming, next to outright fraud, is the scourge of ebaY. As a buyer I absolutely despise it, and I would not hesitate to report it, even though I would report little else to ebaY short of fraud.
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Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
Answer
Hello Dennis. Here's the thread about this issue on the Trust & Safety Board:
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jsp?forum=107&thread=2322060&modifed=200309 25045901
Blanche
Answer
Thanks for the link, Blanche. From what I read on T&S, the seller is allegedly using javascript to interfere with viewing their feedback as well.
****
Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
Answer
I just want to publicly thank David Steiner (AuctionBytes) for forwarding this info to the eBay PTB. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
Kewword spamming is bad for eBay's business and has an adverse affect on both buyers and sellers.
Blanche
Answer
Thanks again David. I just checked on this seller's auctions and they're GONE. I just put you on my list of people I want to [bknow[/b]. Actually, you were already on my list. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
Blanche
[This message was edited by bhearsch on FRI September 26, 2003 at 12:23 PM.]