Master the most powerful yet underused feature in EZList: the Product Hint. This simple text field can dramatically improve AI accuracy, helping you create more precise listings for complex, rare, or misidentified items. Learn how to use product hint for AI listing generation like a pro.
💡What is a Product Hint?
A Product Hint is a short text description you provide to guide AI for accurate eBay descriptions. Think of it as giving the AI context it might miss from photos alone - like whispering the right answers during a test.
🔍 When to Use Hints:
- • Brand labels are unclear in photos
- • Vintage or rare items AI might not recognize
- • Technical products with specific models
- • Items with multiple possible interpretations
🎯 What Hints Improve:
- • Brand and model identification accuracy
- • Product categorization
- • Market research relevance
- • Technical specifications
The Science Behind Effective Product Hints
🧠 How AI Processes Your Hints
EZList's AI uses your hints as priority context during the analysis phase. Here's the process:
- Image Analysis: AI examines your photos for visual cues
- Hint Integration: Your text provides missing context and corrections
- Knowledge Synthesis: AI combines both sources for accurate identification
- Market Research: Uses refined identification for better comp analysis
Specificity Matters
"Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High Chicago 2015" is infinitely better than just "Nike shoes"
Balance is Key
Include essential details without overwhelming. 3-8 key pieces of information work best.
Context Over Keywords
"Vintage 1980s denim jacket, size Large, Levi's brand" tells a complete story.
Best Practices for EZList Hints by Category
👕Clothing & Apparel
✅ Effective Hints:
"Patagonia Better Sweater fleece jacket, men's size Large, navy blue, excellent condition"
Why it works: Brand, specific product line, size, color, condition
"Vintage 1990s Levi's 501 jeans, 34x32, stonewashed blue, authentic"
Why it works: Era, brand, specific model, measurements, style details
❌ Poor Hints:
"Blue jacket"
Problem: Too vague, no brand or specifics
"Designer jeans premium quality authentic luxury denim"
Problem: Keyword stuffing without useful information
🎯 Essential Information for Clothing Hints:
- • Brand: Nike, Adidas, Patagonia
- • Product line: Air Max, Ultraboost, Better Sweater
- • Size: Medium, Large, 32x34
- • Color: Navy blue, forest green
- • Material: Cotton, polyester, wool blend
- • Style: Slim fit, regular, vintage cut
- • Season/Year: 2023, vintage 1990s
- • Condition: New with tags, excellent, good
📱Electronics & Tech
✅ Effective Hints:
"Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, 256GB, Deep Purple, unlocked, excellent condition"
Why it works: Exact model, storage, color, carrier status, condition
"Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones, black, original box included"
Why it works: Brand, specific model, key feature, color, accessories
❌ Poor Hints:
"iPhone, good phone"
Problem: No model specification, vague description
"Gaming headset RGB LED premium quality"
Problem: No brand, model, or meaningful specs
⚡ Critical Tech Specifications to Include:
- Phones:
- • Exact model
- • Storage capacity
- • Carrier/unlock status
- • Color variant
- Computers:
- • Processor type
- • RAM amount
- • Storage type/size
- • Screen size
- Audio/Video:
- • Connection type
- • Key features
- • Compatibility
- • Included accessories
🏆Collectibles & Vintage
Special Challenge: Collectibles often lack clear identifying marks and may not exist in AI training data. Detailed hints are crucial for accurate identification and market research.
✅ Effective Hints:
"1986 Topps Baseball Card #641 Barry Bonds rookie card, PSA 9 graded"
Why it works: Year, brand, card number, player, significance, condition grade
"Vintage 1960s Pyrex mixing bowl set, Butterprint pattern, complete 4-piece"
Why it works: Era, brand, product type, pattern name, completeness
🔍 Research Tips for Collectibles:
- • Check manufacturer marks and stamps
- • Look up catalog numbers or model codes
- • Identify pattern names or series
- • Note any missing pieces or damage
- • Research production years and variations
⚠️Common Product Hint Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake: Keyword Stuffing
"designer luxury premium quality authentic branded expensive rare vintage"
Problem: AI ignores marketing fluff. Use specific, factual information instead.
❌ Mistake: Contradicting Photos
Hint: "Red Nike shoes" / Photo: Shows blue Adidas
Problem: AI gets confused by conflicting information. Ensure hints match what's visible.
❌ Mistake: Too Much Information
"Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG Chicago 2015 retro basketball shoes size 10 white red black colorway Michael Jordan signature sneakers athletic footwear leather upper rubber sole..."
Problem: Information overload can reduce accuracy. Stick to 3-8 key facts.
❌ Mistake: Subjective Opinions
"Beautiful vintage dress, very stylish, perfect for parties"
Problem: AI needs facts, not opinions. Use objective descriptions instead.
🎯Advanced Hinting Strategies
🔄 Progressive Hint Refinement
If AI doesn't get it right on the first try, you can refine your hint and regenerate:
First Attempt:
"Nike shoes size 10"
Result: Generic identification
Refined Hint:
"Nike Air Max 270 black/white size 10"
Result: Better, but still generic
Final Hint:
"Nike Air Max 270 React black white AO4971-001"
Result: Precise identification
🧩 Context Layering
Build context in logical layers for complex items:
Example: Vintage Band T-Shirt
- Basic Identity: "Vintage Pink Floyd t-shirt"
- Add Specifics: "Vintage Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt"
- Include Era: "Vintage 1973 Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon t-shirt"
- Final Details: "Vintage 1973 Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon concert t-shirt, size Large, black"
🔬 Scientific/Technical Items
For specialized equipment, include model numbers and technical specs:
Camera Equipment:
"Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR camera body, full frame, 30.4MP"
Medical Equipment:
"Omron BP742N automatic blood pressure monitor, upper arm cuff"
📊Measuring Your Hint Success
Track these indicators to see if your hints are working effectively:
✅ Signs of Good Hints:
- • AI identifies exact brand and model
- • Generated titles include specific details
- • Market research finds relevant comparables
- • Item specifics are accurately populated
- • Pricing suggestions seem reasonable
⚠️ Signs to Improve Hints:
- • Generic titles like "Blue Shirt" or "Phone"
- • Wrong brand or model identification
- • Irrelevant market research comparisons
- • Missing important item specifics
- • Pricing that seems way off market
🎓 Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
Perfect Product Hint Formula:
[Brand] + [Product Line/Model] + [Key Specs] + [Condition/Year]
Example: "Apple iPhone 14 Pro 128GB Space Black excellent condition"
Remember: Be specific but concise. Include what's visible and verifiable. Let AI handle the marketing language - you provide the facts.