eBay Cassini Algorithm 2026: How Search Ranking Really Works
Cassini is the engine that decides whether buyers ever see your listing. It does not work like Google. Here is what actually drives Best Match in 2026, and how to give every listing the best shot at page one.
What Cassini Is
Cassini is eBay's search engine. When a buyer types a query, Cassini ranks every matching listing into the Best Match order you see by default. Unlike Google, it is built around one goal: surface the listing most likely to sell right now. Relevance gets you into the pool; performance decides your position in it.
The Real Ranking Factors
1. Title relevance
Cassini reads your title for keywords, not your description. If the buyer's words are not in your title, you are barely in the running. Get the formula right in our eBay title optimisation guide.
2. Item specifics
Brand, type, size, colour, material. Cassini uses these structured fields to match filtered searches. Empty specifics mean you vanish the moment a buyer narrows results. More on this in our item specifics guide.
3. Sales velocity
The single biggest lever. A listing that converts views into sales gets pushed up, which brings more views, which brings more sales. This is why new listings get a temporary visibility boost — eBay is testing whether they sell.
4. Conversion rate & click-through
If your listing gets impressions but few clicks, your title or main image is weak. If it gets clicks but no sales, your price, photos, or description are losing the buyer. Cassini watches both and ranks accordingly.
5. Seller performance
Defect rate, late shipments, cases, and Top Rated status all feed your ranking. A clean account ranks above a sloppy one selling the same product. Our account-safety guide covers this.
6. Price competitiveness
Cassini knows the going rate. Price wildly above the market and your conversion drops, dragging your ranking with it.
How to Rank Higher (Practical Steps)
Fill all 80 title characters with real search terms. Complete every item specific eBay offers. Price within the competitive band. Use sharp main images on a white background. Offer fast dispatch and keep defects at zero. And list consistently — a steady flow of fresh listings keeps catching the new-listing boost. Our volume formula shows how much to list.
The Compounding Effect
Every sale makes the next one easier because velocity feeds ranking. That is why successful sellers focus on getting the first few sales on each listing fast — sharp title, right price, clean images — then let Cassini do the rest.
UnicornDS helps you win the factors you control: AI titles built for Cassini, complete item specifics pulled from the source, and clean listings created in seconds so you can keep volume high.
Rank Higher on Every Listing
AI titles, complete item specifics, and clean listings built for eBay's Cassini search — created in seconds so you can list at the volume that wins.
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