Questions about the correct use of cover images/videos in Collections outreach

[James]

Hi Creators, 

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. 😊

Thank you so much

James H. 

[CreativeLeahG]

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.

[mkokolo]

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.

[Deb]

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.. 

[avgsuperheroine]

I have this same problem. The collections they sent me are two that have multiple items in the image, and they're good selling items. So now on March 1 you're just going to go in and delete these not-incorrectly done collection images? That is soooo discouraging after all the hoops we've been jumping through with creating media. To just have it wrongly identified and then deleted.

[Kate3]

Same here!

[Nancy7]

@James I have not figured out the media thing at all. I looked at your link and it appears that what used to be the banner is now the media? Do I need to delete my banner? I added media to a couple collections but nothing shows up on my collection page or beside the products as I've seen in the tutorial. The email says add media and Zazzle will automatically add to collection?

And now I guess I got the same email -- to fix the media and add to a collection. And I have no idea what I'm supposed to do! 

Heres the link the collection in question  https://www.zazzle.com/collections/lemonade_summer-119542235955791711

[ColsCreations]

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.

[Cat]

I didn't get the email either and I'm completely confused. It would be super helpful if someone could fill us in. What email? Did something change? 

[Sara_H]

@Cat  If you didn't get an email- your collections must be good and follow the 'collection media manager rules' (I got one with all my collections 😂🤣)

No idea what's going on and what's deemed acceptable/not acceptable/right/wrong. Just going to wait it out until march 1st then fix my collections after their bot has 'corrected them'

[Cat]

Thanks @Sara_H I'm guessing that at least part of the reason I didn't get the email is because I've only done covers for 2 collections and honestly, I'm still confused about the whole cover collections thing! Perhaps this one case where it pays to be lazy!

[Sara_H]

@Cat 😂🤣😂 wish I had been - my email had 484 links to the naughty collections

[Jadendreamer13]

I didn’t receive the email, either—probably because I’m not creating collection cover images while I’m still working on creating cover photo mock-ups for individual products. I’m glad that I took a “wait and see approach” to see how all these changes pan out on both product cover photos and collection cover photos.

[SeanaDG]

I didn’t get an email either, or at least I haven’t see one yet - so I figured the same thing. I only have a few collection covers, I was too confused and overwhelmed by the cover image requirement to deal with collection covers now. I guess being behind might have worked in my favor this time!

[Leeze]

Same

[kristenj]

Some context here would be very much appreciated. Was there a communication that went out?

[James]

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.

[CreativeLeahG]

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?

Thanks 

[Sara_H]

So the collection list I got sent was for all my collections that have cover images that show more that one product. 

So they're not good enough?

Gee thanks

[Kate3]

Same here. 😞

[James]

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. ❤️ 

[kristenj]

If we didn't receive an email, are we to assume that we don't have any affected collections?

UPDATE: I just now received an email. All but two of my flagged collections already use cover images with multiple products. 

[CreativeLeahG]

What about those of us who did receive an email but do have multiple images in collection cover images? 

What system are you using to determine who is in error and who is not James?

I would assume automation given the volume of sellers, if not automation is it covers that have been reported to you as non-compliant?

Your opening message did use the words 'misuse' (now edited). 

Given most of my collection cover images were created LONG before the new collections feature, the existing guidelines did not exist.

[Jstonge]

James, wouldn't it be better to leave a cover image of one product instead of removing it and having no cover photo?  How would that look to customers.

[PoshPatterns]

I don't understand, all of my images showcase several product types from each collection. you are saying if we feel it meets the criteria then just just ignore the notice. But if Zazzle has already flagged the images will they just delete them if we make no changes?

[Connie]

@JamesSo is it official now that Zazzle is cluttering up the search results with collection pictures instead of product pictures? Is there any reason to even make cover photos for products any more?

[SeanaDG]

James, it would be helpful to provide those resources and specs to all creators, even if their collections weren’t flagged. Maybe a creator accidentally created a satisfactory collection cover but doesn’t know why it’s working and would like to dig into the details. If this new requirement is only for cross-sell collections and a creator doesn’t have one yet, it would be helpful to have these resources at the outset of collection creation. Etc. Could these resources be shared in the creator news section or elsewhere?

[Nancy7]

I got the email. I had two media images uploaded for the collection. I added the images a month or so ago but they never showed up on the collection or product page as seen in the tutorial. The tutorial you linked to says add the media and Zazzle will automatically add to collection? But nothing was added to the collection! If it is not showing (in public view) on the collection why add it?

https://www.zazzle.com/collections/lemonade_summer-119542235955791711

[Jadendreamer13]

I haven’t received an email….

[CrazyMermaid]

Neither have I. There is always tomorrow though. 

[Jadendreamer13]

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?

[CreativeLeahG]

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.

[origamiprints]

I'm a diamond pro seller and have been designing for Zazzle for many years. I've seen so many wonderful changes over time and wonderful additions to the site. That being said, my sales have been way down since cover images and collection photos have been implemented into the marketplace. I honestly think it's because it looks cluttered and overwhelming to the customer. 

The customer wants a personalized product but also is looking for quality. Having all of these unique cover images with randomized styles, lighting, image quality and inconsistency comes across as an Etsy platform. I can't tell you how many messages that I get from customers thinking that I am the one making their products and quite honestly it's overwhelming. 

Our customers want a simple, intuitive shopping experience and for it to be EASY to find what they are looking for. What we have going on right now comes across as unorganized. I'm obviously no professional in the way a large platform like this should be organized for the best user experience but I do believe we can do better, and I most certainly think we can. 

[DahliaDesignCo]

Sooo many messages from customers who think Zazzle is like Etsy. And I agree, it's overwhelming visually. 

[marsh4]

that just you saying you can not keep up with the wave , and what you saying explains why etsy has way more traffic 

[ClementineC]

I agree. I'm also worried that collection cover images that show more than one product are confusing to customers. When a customer searches for a specific invitation, but instead sees a collection image as the first image then that could be confusing. What if they are only interested in the invitation, not the rest of the accessories?

I think the collection cover image should be the second image on the product page to show that "hey, BTW here are more matching items if you're interested".

Also, it's difficult to create an image that showcases more than one product, even if you use Photoshop. You have to try and make it look realistic and eye-catching, but it's not as nice-looking and realistic as the default Zazzle mockups.

[mylittleeden]

I have trouble getting the scale right and if you don't it can do more harm than good and misled the customer...

[KelW21]

Agreed. People search on their phones. Shrinking mockups to fit more in one image just makes them harder to see. 

[Gsallicat]

Totally agree with that!

[SJoy]

Absolutely, I am having similar thoughts.  I am starting to feel like I am on Etsy again...not a good feeling.