eBay acquires data firm to improve recommendations

eBay has acquired US data analysis firm Hunch to help it develop tailored recommendations for its users.

Hunch will allow eBay to generate “meaningful, yet non-obvious recommendations” for customers, beyond standard item-to-item recommendations.

eBay chief technology officer and senior vice president, global products marketplaces Mark Carges said: “We are engaging consumers in innovative ways and attracting top technologists to shape the future of commerce. We expect Hunch’s technologies to benefit eBay shoppers as they browse and to bring sellers on eBay new ways to connect the right products with the right customers.”

Hunch, which launched in 2009, uses prediction technology to map members and their affinity for products, services, other people and websites. It uses information from across the internet, including social networks, to log what customers like, who they follow, along with answers to questions set by Hunch, to build unique user profiles.

The data analysis firm’s tailored recommendations can also be applied to other technology opportunities across eBay, including search, advertising and marketing.

Source : Gemma Goldfingle – Retail Week
www.retail-week.com/home/online-retail/ebay-acquires-data-firm-to-improve-recommendations/5031344.article