eBay PartnerNetwork Blog
RSS feed is being updated
February 9th, 2010
From Wednesday 10th Feburary, we will be adding some new parameters to the links generated by the RSS feed for publishers promoting non-US programs. Publisher links will automatically be changed to the new link structure.
For the vast majority of publishers, there will be no need to make any changes to the way you promote eBay or to how the RSS feed is configured. However, if you are using software or tools to further manipulate the RSS feed links (e.g. Build A Niche Store or PHPBay), you may need to check that your links still work properly after the change has been implemented. If you experience any issues, please contact your software or tool provider.
Below are examples of an RSS feed link in the current and new formats:
Example of current format RSS feed link:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/707-53477-19255-0/1?campid=5336450197&customid=&toolid=10005&
mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.de%2FElmo-Elchmeter-Bpz-Magicsport-Magic-Sport-2-2008-TOP_
W0QQitemZ220551167382QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS%3AB%3ASRCH%3ADE%3A102
Example of new format RSS feed link:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&toolid=10005&campid=5336450197
&customid=&icep_item=350310730839&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=238401&kwid=9020
99&mtid=824&kw=rss
February 9th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
The blog post state all NON US feeds.
So, my question is are the US feeds not going to be affected by this change?
February 9th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Is there going to be a breakdown of what each querystring item is and does? I mean, I could guess and maybe hack that info together, but it would make publishers lives a bit easier if there was a doc that described each of the parameters.
Thanks for giving a heads up on changes that are coming our way.
Cheers!
February 10th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
“…links generated by the RSS feed for publishers promoting non-US programs.”
Are we to assume that if the publisher is only promoting eBay US or eBay Motors that the link format will not be changed?
How does this change affect publishers using the API?
February 11th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Will the old feed links be switched off? The impact of this is absolutely huge if not.
Replacing urls’ over hundreds of sites is a mammoth task…
February 11th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
UK based associate selling on Ebay motors USA,I cannot click into individual items now,from uk,does this mean US customers will have same problem?Is this the RSS change,if it is ,it gives me a real problem.
Basically means customers cannot bid from clicks….
Please advise..
Regards
Roger Chambers
February 12th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Hello Affiliate,
The eBay US RSS feed was already updated.
Best,
Amanda | The eBay Partner Network Team
February 12th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Hi Wayne John,
The change made to the click URL contained in the feed was done to include parameters that are used by Link Generator. See this blog post from last year for more details on how the same parameters are being used for Link Generator:
http://www.ebaypartnernetworkblog.com/en/hints-and-tips/new-link-generator-tool-additional-information/
Best,
Amanda | The eBay Partner Network Team
February 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
HI Binary Factor,
The click URLs were updated for the eBay US program the week before.
Best,
Amanda | The eBay Partner Network Team
February 12th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
The old feed links will not be switched off. However, all new feeds will contain the new click URL structure.
If you are not cloaking your links, there should be no need to change your site. The click URL will be automatically updated in the feed itself. There is no change to the code that needs to be placed on your site.
Best,
Amanda | The eBay Partner Network Team
February 12th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Hi Roger,
For further assistance, please send details of what you are experiencing to ePN-cs-english@ebay.com.
Best,
Amanda | The eBay Partner Network Team
February 13th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Hello
Has the RSS feed change given rise to a click tracking issue in the UK Programme, please?
All my RSS generated clicks from my .co.uk sites are being allocated to the US programme all of a sudden and it seems to be happening to a huge number of UK publishers too. I have implemeted all the necessary changes correctly.
Could someone investigate this, please?
Thank you!
Peter
February 14th, 2010 at 7:41 am
There is a problem with this update. Clicks from UK links are now being showed as US clicks.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Problem since the RSS update: all clicks on UK sites are now showing up in the US programme. The impressions are still shown in the UK programme. This has been a disaster for me as I have now gone from £30 per day to 3 pence per day!! This needs fixing urgently, the clicks reassigning and the earnings recalculated correctly.
I have uncloaked my links and installed updated PhPBay. I have emailed EPN about this problem. Other people are reporting the same issues in the EPN forum. Please help.
Thanks
Russell
February 15th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Hi all,
Yes we are experiencing an issue with the UK programme when using the RSS feed, where clicks are appearing in the EPN interface against the US programme. We are working to fix this, but as today is President’s Day in the US, it make take a longer time than usual. However, once corrected, we will of course bonus all those affected with a makegood, so please look out for further communication.
Julia
February 15th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Thanks Julia, that’s great news.
February 16th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Hi,
I have the same problems with ebay DE. Looks like all programms have this problem.
Regards
Guenter