eBay announces “API-first” strategy to help sellers automate, scale and globalize their businesses

September 27, 2021, Shanghai –   Today, eBay Connect 2021 Greater China Developer Conference was held online for the first time. At the conference, eBay announced its "API-first" development strategy, which is to develop the most advanced APIs as soon as possible when releasing new products in the future to help sellers use new products more efficiently and achieve business automation, scale, and globalization. Under the "API-first" strategy, the first recommended APIs are the bulk upload video API and the advanced promotional listing API, allowing sellers to upload videos more conveniently and efficiently, as well as manage advanced promotional listing marketing activities. In addition, eBay has also launched a series of new APIs, including a market research API that provides big data analysis, a coded coupon API that enriches sellers' promotional methods, a translation API that overcomes language barriers, etc., covering a variety of functions to provide sellers with more API interfaces required for intelligent operations .

                                        Image caption: eBay Connect 2021 Greater China Developer Conference

Since eBay launched shopping, transaction, and search APIs more than 20 years ago, eBay has been committed to developing advanced API tools to provide sellers with more API interfaces required for intelligent operations. All APIs launched by eBay allow developers to not only add them to the ERP system, but also allow sellers to automatically make judgments with data analysis, execute instructions or prompt sellers to do some processing, helping sellers improve conversion rates, improve the efficiency of large-scale operations, and reduce operating costs. At present, the eBay API family already includes more than 20 major APIs, covering full functions such as bulk listings, marketing/special offers, inventory management, payment, logistics, data analysis, etc. The new API has strong scalability, adaptability and security, meets industry specifications and security, and is convenient for developers to integrate.

"The development of APIs plays a vital role in the efficient operation and business expansion of sellers. Over the years, our sellers have continuously optimized their business models, and the demand for API solutions has also increased. Therefore, we continue to invest in sellers' needs, propose an 'API-first' development strategy, and promptly develop APIs that meet sellers' needs to help sellers achieve large-scale management of eBay businesses, thereby improving efficiency and promoting business growth." Huang Chaoou, general manager of the product department of eBay's international cross-border trade division, said: "We also strongly support local developers. Our login service is open to third parties. Developers can use simple, secure, consistent and well-documented API combination tools, and enjoy communication channels and technical support, which greatly enhances the developer's integration experience."

New API functions are launched to help sellers achieve scaled operations

Image Description: eBay Video Media API

l eBay Video Media API supports batch uploading of videos

The video feature enables sellers to better describe the products they sell and will enhance their ability to showcase their products and brands, helping to increase buyer engagement and sales. The video Media API supports sellers uploading videos in batches, with a maximum upload size of 150 MB, for eBay client apps and mobile browsers (desktop browsers will be supported soon).

l eBay Advanced Promotional Listing PLA API supports batch traffic diversion

Advanced Promoted Listings ( PLA) is a new pay-per-click service launched by eBay.   (cost-per-click)   Advertising tools allow sellers to bid for the first ad position on the eBay search results page, and to obtain accurate traffic by placing keywords, thereby increasing product search exposure and the number of visitors to their accounts. The Advanced Promotion Listing API supports sellers to conduct batch traffic diversion and increase product exposure.

l eBay Terapeak product research API provides big data analysis

eBay's unique market and product research tool, Terapeak, can provide sellers with real-time competitor analysis, including data such as price, shipping rates, return settings, seller feedback/ratings, and sales trends. eBay's newly launched Terapeak product research API can help sellers easily find out the purchase opportunities, price trends, sales rates, and other key sales indicators of listings sold within a year. In addition, after adding the function to ERP, the relevant data can also be connected with the seller's other systems to exchange data and strengthen the interaction between systems.

l eBay Coded Coupon API enriches sellers’ promotional methods

eBay's Coded Coupons allow sellers to provide discounts to buyers through coupon codes, increase order volume and sales. Sellers can also share coupons on social networks to attract more buyers to buy. The Coded Coupons API is an extension of the eBay Marketing API matrix. Sellers can choose their own coupon codes and types, set usage restrictions, and set promotion budgets.

eBay launches Translation API to overcome language barriers between buyers and sellers

eBay's platform covers consumers who speak different languages. Translation API helps sellers overcome language barriers, connect buyers and sellers and promote cross-border trade using internally trained natural language processing (NLP) models and state-of-the-art algorithms. Unlike other translation APIs on the market, eBay's translation API is optimized for e-commerce.

The above new API features demonstrate part of the continuous development of eBay API. As eBay further implements the "API first" development strategy, eBay's API Greater China team will continue to actively understand the needs of sellers in Greater China, provide feedback to the global product team, and jointly launch new APIs and promote API function improvements. eBay hopes to continue working with third-party developers to jointly develop a rich and diverse API to help sellers in Greater China to further enhance their business.

eBay Platform