eBay Will Smarten Up Shopping With Purchase Of Analytics Firm Expertmaker
Acquisition of Expertmaker will bring machine learning and AI to eBay online auctions by better matching shoppers and sellers
eBay is looking to make its retail platform smarter with the purchase of Swedish data analytics firm Expertmaker
The auction site says the acquisition will make it more “product-focused” by using big data to better connect shoppers to more than 900 million listings.
Exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, but eBay confirmed that Expertmaker’s staff will be joining its structured data product and technology team.
Adding value
Expertmaker has been an eBay partner for some years, helping the site to improve how users discover and purchase new products by working to optimise its database of listings from millions of sellers worldwide.
“Expertmaker is excited to join the eBay team, bringing innovative artificial intelligence, machine learning and large-scale optimisation technology to eBay’s structured data initiative,” said Lars Hard, Founder and CEO of Expertmaker.
“In partnership with eBay, we will be able to transcend traditional machine learning approaches to create adaptive and learning solutions using the Expertmaker platform.”
Going forward, the two companies will look to continue their work to allow eBay to simplify its inventory and add in “value-added features” such as product reviews, links to relevant items, and better user targeting and merchandising.
“As a part of eBay, Expertmaker’s technology, expertise and talented engineers will play an important role in helping advance eBay’s structured data initiative,” said Amit Menipaz, vice president and general manager of structured data at eBay.
“eBay’s structured data effort is a multi-year journey, and we believe the innovation and significant expertise that Expertmaker brings to eBay will help us build a best-in-class product catalog and in turn better serve our customers.”
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