This isn’t intentional, but it’s a direct result of relying on primitive sorting algorithms like "trending" or "most popular." These sorts create a vicious feedback loop. Popular items get more visibility, which makes them more popular, which gives them more visibility. Meanwhile, a new seller lists a unique, high-quality item, and it lands on page 50, destined to gather dust in what I call the "long-tail graveyard."

This isn't just a discovery problem; it's a marketplace liquidity crisis.

The worst feeling for a new seller is listing a great product and hearing crickets. When their items get no views, they don't make sales. When they don't make sales, they churn. This starves your marketplace of the diverse, unique supply that is your true competitive advantage. You're churning out your best sellers before they even have a chance to sell.

The Fix: Stop Ranking for Popularity, Start Merchandising for Relevance

The only way to solve this is to stop treating your homepage like a popularity contest and start acting like a world-class merchandiser for every single user. You need an engine that can look at a brand new item—with zero sales history—and instantly know which 1,000 users out of your 10 million are the most likely to buy it.

This is what modern, AI-powered ranking is for. It solves the Item Cold Start problem by understanding the content of the listing itself. By analyzing the images, title, description, and attributes, it can match a new product to a user's known taste profile, bypassing the need for sales history entirely.

With an API-first ranking engine like Shaped, you can:

• Instantly Surface New Inventory: A new listing for a "vintage 90s band t-shirt" is immediately shown to users who have previously bought or shown interest in vintage clothing.
• Increase Seller Success: When new sellers get views and make their first sale faster, they are dramatically more likely to stick around, list more items, and grow with your platform.
• Unlock the Long-Tail: You turn your massive catalog from a liability (hard to search) into a true asset (endless discovery), increasing overall sales and user satisfaction.

Your marketplace's health depends on the success of your supply. If you're still relying on a "trending" sort, you're not just leaving money on the table—you're actively pushing your best new sellers out the door.

‍Ready to unlock the value hidden in your long-tail and fix your liquidity problem? Contact our team and let's explore how.