Hoping to woo shoppers who say eBay Inc. has lost its folksy appeal, the world’s largest online auction plans to launch its own version of a social networking service Wednesday and is promising other customer-friendly features by year’s end.
The “Neighborhoods” feature encourages users to post photos, product reviews, tips and responses — creating a far more visual and interactive experience than eBay’s text-based discussion forums.
Among the 600 new neighborhoods is “Shoe Heads,” intended as a haven for footwear fashionistas. Others range from Beyonce to Battlestar Galactica, and still more will be formed based on popularity of search terms and community feedback.
“People who are passionate about certain brands, trends, celebrities or products have been discovering and trading with one another for years,” said Jamie Iannone, an eBay vice president in charge of buyer experience. “Neighborhoods makes this even easier.”
[via Associated Press]
