Work around for wrong thumbnail in search

[stuartroadvintage]

For those of you who are aware of this current problem with photos in search, I did a little experiment and it worked (at least for now?).

I edited a couple of listings that were showing a less than pretty photo of my item instead of the chosen thumbnail as follows....

1. Go to edit listing and delete the incorrect photo that's showing in search for that item.

2. If you want, reload the photo into the listing into the last position.

3. Publish listing, go back and refresh search page...and you should see it as it should be!

I know we don't have tons of time for all this, but if it's bugging you, this is a somewhat quick fix.

Hopefully it will "stick". I'll let you know!

[Amaradorn]

It's a test so you're probably wasting your time. Tomorrow Etsy will be showing a different first photo. 

[stuartroadvintage]

Do you think it's a test or a glitch?  I'm not sure. It's too wonky to be a test.

[TuberDesigns]

I believe this would be a test yeah. It looks like a tool that chooses the best image or something. it takes random images from my shop at this moment with random crops. 

[OneEyeCatStudio]

Too wonky?

If cutting off the titles is a test and not a glitch, and Etsy has confirmed that it is, then this is likely the same.

Improving sales no longer seems to be Etsy's goal.

[stuartroadvintage]

@Amaradorn  You are correct! See my latest post in this thread below.

[MeerkatsManor · Accepted solution]

Terrific! Worked for me. I can do this for the worst of the photos. Thank you!

[stuartroadvintage]

You're quite welcome! Glad it worked!!

[stuartroadvintage]

I also noticed that when my item is in the first row of search, it flips to someone else's photo that's on the same page.

This cannot be an intentional thing!!

[Amaradorn]

@stuartroadvintage that does sound like a bug, or perhaps an unintended consequence of letting the AI choose what thumbnail to show.  

[HauteVintageJewels]

I've been hearing about this but wasn't seeing it myself until today.  Did a search on my shop name, and all of my items are showing what I call "utility" photos, which show alternate views, dimensions, etc.  When you see a whole search page full of these images it looks like a train wreck.  We work so hard to ensure that our primary images are the best representation of our items for sale (hasn't that always been Etsy's guidance?)  No one wants to look at a search page full of photos of dimensions and in some cases, just the packaging that the item will come in.  

Add this to the forced square images and radically shortened listing titles (I've seen just the word "Sale" for some listing titles), it's a wonder we can sell anything on here.  I'm beyond disgusted.

[stuartroadvintage]

I agree and noticed more posts about it today. If the photo thing is a test than they have completely lost me on this one!

[WishesontheWind]

What is going on, I wouldn't like to go with the workaround as in one browser all is fine but in other browsers i am seeing any random image being shown including packaging images.  Not sure what to do, Come on etsy!

[stuartroadvintage]

Oh really? Ugh. It might be for nothing but I had to try!

[WishesontheWind]

@stuartroadvintage i spoke with etsy on chat today and they advised it is not a test but a glitch, however others have reported that it is a test.  who knows.  at least you found something that works, however I noticed that it changes in and out, sometimes showing 1st image as should and then randomly any photo, check back some time later and its back to showing random image.  For me I only notice the problem when on google chrome browser,  not sure about anyone else.

[VelouriaVintage]

I've been chatting with support today as well and they seem to think it's a glitch. No one mentioned that it's a test.

Very frustrating though!

[stuartroadvintage]

Thanks for checking on this. I really believe it's a big ole glitch of epic proportions!!

[PersonalizeStation]

Sadly, third-party/outsourced chat representatives wouldn't know what a test is or what a technical error is, in most cases. 

Chat reps are only helpful with some things. They are known to give misinformation on many issues or pass information to team/department X, Y, or Z. 

Most of the time, they are copy and pasting from the handbook. 

One way or another, it's a sh*t show and there's no denying that. 

[stuartroadvintage]

@WishesontheWind  I just checked the ones I tweaked yesterday and they are still fine. I'll try another browser later.

New strange thing-

When I search under my username, for which I have a few listings with this tag, NONE of my items appear now!! WTF.

[WishesontheWind]

@stuartroadvintage just hope they fix this mess soon.  In all my 10 plus years on etsy this is the worst!  Cant help but wonder if it is indeed a test but being passed off as a glitch.  

[WishesontheWind]

deleted as duplicated

[TayberryDecor]

I can't imagine this is a test. I am seeing some unflattering photos showing up, and it looks like a mess.

[Adorabilities]

It could be very likely a test if AI is deciding which photo is best. AI doesn't know "unflattering" -- it could be based on a plain background or some other AI preference.

[Amaradorn]

@stuartroadvintage my apologies if it is in fact a glitch, however I'm still not seeing it which would indicate that I'm not in the test (which is why I assumed it was).

[stuartroadvintage]

No apologies necessary...I could be wrong! if it is a test than Etsy has lost their ever loving minds!