I’m creating this thread so we can help with any questions from the outreach for correct/intended use of cover images/videos in a collections media manager. This way, we can collaborate and help each other resolve any questions.
The email highlighted the misuse of single product images in a Collections Media Manager, which might cause confusion in line with intended use in the Marketplace and Search.
Please only comment in this thread with questions regarding this subject directly. We all love a chit chat but this can sometimes drown out the genuine concerns of a topic. 😊
I’ve just seen the email and the 208 strong list of collections Zazzle content has decided require new images or
“Feel free to make updates by February 29th, 2024. Alternatively, so it’s more convenient for you, Zazzle will automatically remove Collection Media Manager images featuring only one product type on or after March 1st, 2024.”
2 weeks notice
I have 1300 collections James.
I updated a few based on the advice at the time, but with increasing Zazzle collection changes, technical hitches, it was clear it wasn’t something I could hope to do across all my collections, not without investing 2yrs 40hrs a week to the task.
Some of the collections in my list have NO collection images and others that have multiple images in the cover?
Please can you advise specifically what cover image removal means for the collections visibility in the marketplace? Will they still be visible in the old fashioned way or ‘invisible’ altogether?
This question is more for other creators as I have no possible way of updating all the collections I have (they need more than just media cover images) so I won’t stress about what I can’t change.
Thank you
ps. Below is an outline of the tasks required currently to create a single collection.
There are a few collections in my list that I’m not sure what’s wrong with them. All of the images include multiple items from the collection. For example: https://www.zazzle.com/collections/119024645574833442 The main cover photo has 4 items, and the second collection photo shows multiple envelope options and labels. What’s the issue with this? Any help you can provide is much appreciated.
Please only comment in this thread with questions regarding this subject directly.
Could you please add an explanation of what the subject is? I couldn’t figure out what the title & post was referring to, there’s nothing in the Creator News section, and I didn’t get whatever email Leah is referencing. But it appears something pretty important is happening with Collections.
This isn’t a content issue in the terms you’re referring to. The email aims to inform you about the necessity of updating your Collection Cover Images/videos in the Media Manager to improve visibility and customer conversion. It suggests showcasing a variety of products within each Collection in a single image and/or video, rather than focusing on a single product, to optimize exposure and accurately represent collections in the marketplace. The email provides links to identified Collections needing updates(this might not be the case in every example. If you think your collection is in line with the features intent, than simply ignore), a how-to guide for using Media Manager effectively, examples of correct and incorrect image styles. We have offered to auto remove images that don’t make sense as an attempt to help you, as we understand a lot of creators can have a lot of Collections.
The email aims to inform you about the necessity of updating your Collection Cover Images/videos in the Media Manager to improve visibility and customer conversion. It suggests showcasing a variety of products within each Collection in a single image and/or video, rather than focusing on a single product, to optimize exposure and accurately represent collections in the marketplace. The email provides links to identified Collections needing updates(this might not be the case in every example. If you think your collection is in line with the features intent, than simply ignore), a how-to guide for using Media Manager effectively, examples of correct and incorrect image styles. We have offered to auto-remove images that don’t make sense as an attempt to help you, as we understand a lot of creators can have a lot of Collections. So if you don’t receive an email today, you most likely are using the Media Manager for Collections as intended.
Thank you everyone for bearing with us. Again, we know there have been a lot of aspects to wrap your head around here and we hope to help you with outreach like this. ❤️
As another member noted, one such collection I just checked has multiple products and clearly identifies what the collection is, as such I am wondering how these images being identified? I am assuming some form of automation.
I won’t be updating them (actually 208 so far as I didn’t notice it was double columns) but if the offer to automatically remove them is just to help us, can we somehow ‘turn off’ the auto removal?
Collection cover images that contain mock-ups of a variety of products in one image are distracting to viewers—and not visible in a single cover image thumbnail. Therefore, they are probably not helpful to customers. Videos with sound that play automatically—like on Instagram—are annoying, in my personal opinion, forcing me to turn off the sound on that platform. It seems like you want Zazzle to simulate social media sites, but it’s a marketplace—not a social media site. Have you asked customers if multi-product cover image thumbnails are helpful to them or a distraction?
Given most products won’t ever appear in the marketplace via search (due to sheer competition for any given niche) I myself use covers that appeal to customers via social media after sharing them. But having said that I stopped updating collections a while back when I realized the task was insurmountable. I also don’t think collection covers appear on those ‘landing pages’ that referrals redirect to. I know videos don’t.
I shall as such leave ya’ll to it and hope collections don’t become invisible altogether as a result of not having any covers.
I’m in the same boat here as others have mentioned. All of my cover images have at least 3 different products. Typically an invitation, rsvp card, enclosure card. Some collections showcase more. My images are cohesive and not a mix-match of random items thrown with the words “view more from this collection” is Zazzle implying my photos must be chip chop and include that wording to count?
It would be helpful to have Zazzle automate some of this for us. Why not make an automated short video based on all the cover photos of our products in a collection and place it where needs to be for us. Just show each one after the other for a second or something. Surely that would save us a lot of time and anxiety I think.
The ones I checked they sent me also have a variety of products in the main cover image - I’m confused as well .. I got sent 11 - I admit I need to fix 2 of them some of the very first when things were new and even more confusing than they are now - but of those 9 I am not seeing issue with example of cover images - if I’m not mistaken in the beginning we were told not to use to many things as it was confusing.. MY wish for the day? Please get all the details ironed out Before you ask us to do such time consuming projects.. so we are not going back and RE-doing everything we have already spent time doing.. I’ve worked harder than ever before at zazzle in the 17 years I’ve been here and my sales have recently tanked to what they were 2 to 3 years ago .. I’m just about ready to give up..
I have 62 collections that I KNOW need updated covers and banners. I intended to immediately start updating them anyway. But now, with all this confusion, I will put off updating any collections until I get said email and the details are worked out, and questions answered.
I tried to edit my original post to show that your system has deemed this collection photo to only have one item, when it in fact has 7. Will this photo be removed?
but of those 9 I am not seeing issue with example of cover images - if I’m not mistaken in the beginning we were told not to use to many things as it was confusing.. MY wish for the day? Please get all the details ironed out Before you ask us to do such time consuming projects.. so we are not going back and RE-doing everything we have already spent time doing.. I’ve worked harder than ever before at zazzle in the 17 years I’ve been here and my sales have recently tanked to what they were 2 to 3 years ago .. I’m just about ready to give up.. 
