Agreed - The Possibility of Feedback Manipulation

An interview with Brian Burke, eBay’s Director in Trust & Safety, reveals the reasoning behind the change in policy regarding digital downloads. Actually, it’s easy to perceive the problem…

Question: Why is eBay requiring sellers of digitally downloaded goods to list their items in the Classified Ads format?

Answer: Most items that require digital delivery, once created, can be very easily replicated. This ease of replication creates the opportunity for sellers to list thousands of the same item in an attempt to manipulate the Feedback system. It also creates a perception that even legitimate sellers of Digital Goods are manipulating the Feedback system. This dynamic — real and perceived — undermines trust across the entire marketplace.

We understand that digital goods, by themselves, are not the cause of Feedback Manipulation, but clarity of policy and ease of enforcement require all digitally downloaded items to be offered via the Classified Ads format.

It’s really not that challenging to imagine exactly what the man says. Simply consider blog spam and spam bots. It’s fairly similar. Throw enough sh** against the wall and some of it will stick. Of course it makes no sense, but don’t try telling “them” that.