Online second-hand item sales sites are a great way to get rid of items you no longer want, while making money. However, putting an item up for sale can be a lot of work. And eBay’s new artificial intelligence tool can make it easier.
Last Thursday, eBay announced its new product listing tool, which uses AI to automatically generate a product description from a simple photo.
The user simply takes a photo and the AI fills in the item information, including titles, descriptions, product release dates, and subcategories. The AI even suggests a price and shipping cost for the item.
For now only on iOS
This tool will be available in the eBay app for iOS users only. However, in its blog post, the company says it looks forward to bringing this feature to everyone soon.
In an early version, this magical SEO tool took a user-entered title and converted it into a product description. This first version received positive feedback, according to the blog post, as 30% of US sellers using the app tried the feature at least once a day, and more than 95% of users who tried it chose to use AI-generated descriptions.
The goal of these generative AI assistants is to remove some constraints that prevent people from listing items for sale. Like not knowing where to start. “This addresses what we call the ‘starting from scratch’ problem, where first-time sellers may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information needed to create a competitive description,” eBay said in the blog post. “With AI, there is no need to start from scratch: as soon as you are ready to sell, your ad is ready to publish.”
How it works for real
Having recently put some products up for sale on second-hand sites to make room in my wardrobe, I was intrigued by this feature and decided to test it out.
I had to download the app, create an account and start a listing. For the product photo, I took a picture of my Hydroflask. Then for the description, I clicked on the AI-automatic option and was impressed with the results.
This Hydro Flask water bottle is a reliable companion for your outdoor adventures. Made with high quality materials, it ensures your drink stays cold or hot for hours. It features a secure lid to prevent leaks and spills, making it perfect for hiking, camping, or just everyday use.
With its sleek design and durable construction, this water bottle is a must have for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. It comes in a variety of colors and features the Hydro Flask logo on the front. Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or simply looking for a reliable water bottle, this Hydro Flask will meet your needs.
Photo Background Removal Tool
As shown in the text above, the tool generated two paragraphs of correct text describing the uses of a Hydroflask, with correct grammar and almost resembling a description you would find on the manufacturer’s website. If I had to post an ad, I would have felt comfortable using this description.
In its blog post, eBay also announces the addition of a photo background removal tool. And it works. With just one click, the tool removed my living room background and replaced it with a crisp white backdrop.
All in all, these tools make the work of sellers easier. And it’s particularly impressive to see an e-commerce company as old as eBay evolve its platform to take into account the latest technologies.
Source: “ZDNet.com”