Zazzle Marketplace is Data Driven Not Favoritism

[Susang6]

Zazzle's marketplace rankings are driven by algorithms that prioritize data such as sales, traffic, and customer engagement. This means that designers who consistently generate high activity are more likely to appear at the top. While this process is not designed to show favoritism, it can create the perception that certain designers are being promoted more frequently.

The way Zazzle works, Many designers often end up promoting elite designers' products, hoping to earn from referrals. This promotion drives significant customer traffic and boosts sales for the elite designers, keeping them at the top of the marketplace. Zazzle’s algorithm doesn’t intentionally show favoritism—it simply tracks data like sales and engagement. But because so many designers are promoting these elite creators, the algorithm interprets them as the best. 

[CrazyMermaid]

I mostly agree with you, but EP's  are not always data driven. Several of my EP's have 1 or 2 views and no sales. They were designated EP's after they were put in a marketing display. I have very few, so I may not be a valid example. This might be a valid analysis, because they believe it will sell well. 

[Susang6]

it's possible that some designers use external services (Fiverr) to drive traffic to their products. If this traffic results in increased sales and engagement, it could influence the algorithm and boost those products' visibility in the marketplace.

Of course Zazzle algorithms could constantly promote the elite designers in other advertisements this would drive continued traffic to the top tier designers in the marketplace.  But again, it’s not favoritism because the system is data-driven.

The bottom line is that the Zazzle system is data-driven, but external factors like paid traffic and advertisement  can play a role in shaping marketplace dynamics as to the designers that are always on top. 

[klstock]

If it was "data driven" then my invitation that has sold thousands, has many "likes", great cover photo and is very highly rated by happy customers would not have been bumped several pages back to make room for newly created invites. That is just one example.

Can you link to where you are getting this info about the inner workings of the algorithm? Are you an employee? You are asserting a lot of things as though they are facts rather than opinion.

[Susang6]

Products with more data—such as higher sales, views, frequent customer interactions, and optimized keywords—are more likely to gain visibility and rise to the top. The Zazzle platform uses algorithms to analyze performance data and prioritize products that demonstrate strong demand or customer engagement.

For sellers, it's all about creating attractive designs, using effective titles and tags, and responding to market trends to boost their product's performance data. That way, their items have a better chance of standing out in searches and collections.

 Zazzle's marketplace algorithms are data-driven. Tools like Zazzlytics and Lyn Analytics, designed for Zazzle sellers, highlight how data plays a role in optimizing product visibility and performance. These tools provide insights into product performance metrics, keyword optimization, and competition analysis, enabling sellers to make informed decisions based on data.

I think organic reach through Zazzlers and affiliates promoting products on social media / blogs marketing is a great way to boost sales and increase data. Organic traffic can create a more personal connection with potential buyers and may lead to long-term customer loyalty.

Both strategies have their strengths. Data-driven tools offer precision and efficiency, while organic reach builds trust and authenticity. Combining both could be an effective way to be successful on Zazzle.

[Susang6]

It is my understanding that Zazzle's algorithm prioritizes recent or monthly data over long-term performance when determining marketplace visibility. Algorithms often focus on current trends, engagement, and sales metrics to ensure the marketplace stays dynamic and relevant. If your invitation had a surge in popularity earlier but hasn't maintained consistent activity recently, it might not be prioritized in search results.

Like you I have many invitations that had tremendous views, likes and sales…but these invitations did not hold their position in the marketplace due to not enough monthly data or sales…

[klstock]

It wasn't a surge, it had been/is consistently a good seller - It alone has has over 163 separate orders. 

But in other cases I have had products appear in the first couple pages of search results for things that have sold far less than the other one I mentioned. So I don't know what rhyme or reason there is to it. 

[Susang6]

Off topic I love watercolor artwork and I think your product designs are lovely.   your artwork shows that you have a smile on your face when you are creating. I promoted a few of your coastal products to my pinterest boards. 

[Susang6]

I have been working online since 2008, gaining extensive expertise in online research—a broad skill that involves gathering and analyzing information effectively. As a freelance writer for eHow.com and a studio writer for Demand Media, I developed a strong foundation in market research, SEO, and the ability to collect and synthesize information to support content creation, including articles and marketing materials.

To address your question, the insights I share are not merely personal opinions. Instead, they are based on thorough research and knowledge I’ve acquired through years of experience in the field.  I am currently researching to learn more about POD and algorithms .  You may find this article interesting https://spotintelligence.com/2024/07/26/ranking-algorithms/

[CrazyMermaid]

How do you know that "so many designers are promoting these elite creators?" Where have you found this data. How do you even know how many active Zazzlers there are and what they are doing?

[Susang6]

Elke Clarke has advised Zazzlers to promote top-selling products to earn referral income. Promoting popular items can be a strategic way to maximize earnings, as these products already have proven demand. Her guidance generally focuses on identifying products with strong demand and proven sales potential.  This approach allows Zazzlers to maximize their referral earnings by promoting items that are already popular with customers.

One did not have to take Elke class to realize that it was a good idea to promote Elite designers, they are successful and their product link may get the sale and the referral.   Not all associates at Zazzle have booming personal sales, but instead earn well from promoting other Designers.  As an example I have promoted hundreds if not thousands of wedding invitation designers and have earned well from referral sales.

Also elite designers have contacted me and shared with me their top selling products and new product designs in hopes that I would promote them.  They have told me it was a good way to earn well from the referral sale of their wedding invitations.