Reduced Visibility of QC Items after recent Zazzle Update - Concerns Queries and Solutions

[CreativeLeahG]

 

The Evolution of Product Creation on Zazzle

In recent times, Zazzle has moved away from the Quick Create option, shifting focus to other methods and resources that aim to support designers in bringing their visions to life. This transition reflects a broader trend in the industry toward greater customization and control over the design process, ensuring that each product is thoughtfully tailored and holds its unique appeal.

Some of us were recently made aware via a forum complaint and response that QC products are now being hidden from the marketplace. There has not been an announcement re this so it comes as a shock to many. Details to follow:

 

Zazzle Store Optimization Concerns and Solutions

A Zazzle store owner has expressed significant concerns over their store's product visibility and the impact of recent optimization efforts by Zazzle's administration.

Here's a summary of the issues and the responses provided by Zazzle.

Concerns Raised by Store Owner

• Drastic Reduction of Visible Products: The store owner noticed a severe decrease in the number of products displayed in their store categories, with some categories showing only one or two products, and others none at all.
• Inconsistency in Product Display: Despite no products being marked as "hidden" or "in need of optimization" on the back end, the public-facing store shows an incomplete product lineup.
• Impact on Customer Experience: The limited visibility of products in each design is a concern for customer retention and satisfaction.

Zazzle's Response + Notification of Update Affecting QC Products

Scott replied to the concerns with the following news re a recent update - original reply HERE.

• Optimization of Search Results: Zazzle has adjusted the visibility of Quick Product Create (QPC) products in search results to enhance user experience and website performance.
• Criteria for Visibility: Only QPC products that have sold in the last 15 months, excluding owner purchases, will remain visible.
• New Filters for Product Management: Zazzle introduced filters for store owners to identify and optimize their QPC products.

Additional Concerns from Store Owners

• Source1
• Source 2

• Misclassification of Non-QPC Items: Some items that were not created using QPC are being filtered as QPC, suggesting algorithmic errors. Some created by editing a single item and then offering for sale as a new item or using the transfer function. This suggests identical parameters are being used to identify QC items. 

• Questions Regarding Product Visibility and Optimization:
  1. What is the fate of QC products that sold in the past but haven't in the last 15 months.
  2. The status of QC products that have been viewed but not sold in the last 15 months... hidden?
  3. Clarification on the steps required to "optimize" a QC product. Is it different to other optimization requirements?
  4. Is there a possibility of making QC products public again through modification?
  5. What is the duration of public visibility for modified QC products before potential re-hiding?

• Concern for Long-term Store Owners: The hiding of QC products could disproportionately affect stores with a long history of using QC, potentially wiping out most of their store.

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Actionable Tasks for Store Owners

• Review categories and product listings to identify the extent of product visibility issues.
• Utilize the new filters provided by Zazzle to locate the QPC products.
• Modify and update QC products as necessary to regain visibility when we know what is required to do so.
• Monitor changes in product visibility and customer engagement post-optimization.

Conclusion

Zazzle's optimization efforts aim to improve the user experience and website performance, but have inadvertently caused confusion among store owners as there was no announcement just a series of reports on and off the platform about 'missing items'. There are particular concerns for those with a long tenure on the platform. It is crucial for Zazzle to address these concerns, provide clear guidance on optimization. 

[SunnyDays]

In addition to the above, products that are QCP have been removed from my collections, if not sold within the past 15 months, making several of my collections currently incomplete. A ridiculous waste of sales opportunity.

[ElizabethR]

We had 293 products hidden by the QCP filter over five stores. The products included a Sunflower Madonna apron created in 2010. It had 184 views, 8 orders, and 17 aprons sold. However, strangely, the last sale was 2014. Now, our mother died in June 2016 and we switched to writing. So, our stores were abandoned from 2016 until a few months last year and the last month this year.

There are other multiple sale products hidden by the QCP filters. We decided to lose the stats, remake the products from the original, delete the original, and get the products back out where they could sell and rebuild stats. We also went through our collections and replaced the  deleted items. We checked our blog. We still have to go through our Pinterest boards. I don't know what we would have done if the number of products was higher, but after abandoning our stores for so long, we are trying to give them another chance. Good thing we found out about this before Marilyn's current mood. Although, this contributed to her current mood.

[jophb]

I have a QC product that recently sold via an old referral link on Pinterest.  But even with a recent sale, the product is not showing up in the marketplace search at all.  I've had several people confirm.  So what, once a product is punished for being QC, it's screwed permenantly?