Keyword Spamming at eBay (Grouch busted)

Originally posted in Elsewhere:

 

something i did wrong once….

Subject: NOTICE: eBay Procedural Warning –
Date: Tue, 02 May 2000 Pacific Daylight Time

Quote:


Dear saintsteven,

Recently we became aware that your eBay registered account was involved in the following activity:
Keyword Spamming, which is not permitted at eBay.
**********
EXAMPLE:
Vintage Bandana-Hawg Wild non-Harley
Item #320714807

“Keywords designed to snag smart-searchers: [Grateful Dead Beatles Chuck Berry Keith Richards Disneyland Nude Photo of Me In a Trout Stream Mark Mcgwire Bong Pantyhose Wizard Of Oz Volkswagon 24K Gold Grocery Coupons Cow Chicken Pig Snowdome Packard Lone Ranger Too Much Coffee biker babe butterfly].” is the keyword phrase.
**********

Key word spamming is the practice of adding words, including brand names, which are not directly related to the item you are selling or which are included for the primary purpose of attracting or diverting bidders to a listing which is not permitted.

Key word spamming is not only a manipulation of our search engines, but
is also unfair to members who may be searching for a specific item and receive search engine results of listings which are not selling the item. Users often are confused and frustrated by such tactics. Certain uses of brand names may also constitute trademark infringement and could expose sellers to legal liability.

Methods of Key Word Spamming include, but are not limited to:

1. Extra Brand Names in Title or Item Description
2. Not Brand X, Not Brand Y
3. Improper Trademark Usage
4. Lists of “Key” Words
5. Hidden Text (White on white text, or hidden text in HTML Code)
6. Drop Down Boxes

Although your auction(s)are inconsistent with our listing guidelines, we will allow your current running auctions to complete their course and end on their own.

Please view our Listing Policies page for further details on this and other guidelines on listing your items:

pages.ebay.com/help/commu…-list.html

For more information on why eBay has ended an auction, please visit:

pages.ebay.com/help/commu…ction.html

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be aware future incidents of this nature can lead to the suspension of your account. We value you as a member of our community and wish to continue this relationship, so we must ask you to refrain from any violations of the Listing Policies or User Agreement in the future.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have on our existing listing policies.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Regards,

AJ
eBay Community Watch