eBay's Cassini Algorithm: How to Rank Higher

eBay's search algorithm, known internally as Cassini, decides which listings buyers see first for any given search — and unlike a simple newest-first or price-first sort, it weighs dozens of signals. You can't control all of them, but the ones you can control matter enormously.

Signals You Can Directly Control

• Item specifics completion — filling out every relevant item specific field (brand, size, color, material) isn't optional anymore; incomplete specifics can quietly suppress a listing's visibility in filtered searches
• Title keyword relevance — front-loading your title with the terms buyers actually search, without keyword-stuffing, still matters for the initial search match
• Photo quality and count — listings with more high-quality photos (up to eBay's max) tend to perform better, likely tied to engagement metrics like click-through and dwell time
• Listing format and Best Offer — enabling Best Offer where appropriate has been associated with improved visibility, likely because it increases buyer engagement with a listing

Signals Cassini Weighs That You Influence Indirectly

The Bigger Picture

Cassini ultimately optimizes for what keeps buyers on eBay and completing purchases — which means the tactics that actually move rankings are the same things that make for a genuinely good listing: clear photos, accurate descriptions, competitive pricing, and reliable seller performance. There's no shortcut that bypasses simply running a trustworthy, well-presented store.