Mercari has quickly become one of the most popular marketplaces for casual and professional resellers alike. With millions of active buyers, it’s a goldmine for those who know how to position their listings. But here’s the catch—just like eBay, Amazon, or Poshmark, Mercari uses an internal search algorithm to determine which listings get seen first.
If you want consistent sales, you need to understand how Mercari’s algorithm works and what you can do to boost your visibility. In this guide, we’ll break down how the Mercari algorithm ranks listings, the factors that matter most, and practical steps you can take to maximize your chances of showing up at the top of search results.
1. Why Search Visibility Matters on Mercari
Unlike social commerce platforms where engagement drives exposure, Mercari is primarily a search-driven marketplace. Buyers open the app, type in what they’re looking for, and browse the results.
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If your listing is buried on page 10, your chances of selling drop dramatically.
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If your listing appears in the top 10 results, you’ll see significantly higher views and conversions.
In short: boosting your search visibility is the single most powerful lever for increasing sales on Mercari.
2. How the Mercari Algorithm Works in 2025
Mercari doesn’t publicly disclose the exact details of its algorithm, but based on seller experience, updates, and observable patterns, here’s what influences ranking:
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Relevance: Does your title and description match what the buyer typed?
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Recency: Freshly listed or relisted items often get a temporary boost.
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Engagement: Listings with more likes, saves, and offers tend to rank higher.
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Competitive Pricing: Mercari rewards fair market pricing that drives conversions.
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Seller History: Fast shipping, good ratings, and consistent activity improve visibility.
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Activity Boosts: Editing, price drops, and promotions signal the algorithm to “reconsider” your listing.
3. Core Ranking Factors to Focus On
Here are the main levers you can control:
a) Keywords in Title & Description
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Include brand, item type, size, and condition in your title.
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Use the description for long-tail keywords (e.g., “women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus running shoes size 8”).
b) Photos & Visual Quality
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Bright, clear, high-resolution images increase clicks and conversions.
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Use all available photo slots (Mercari allows up to 12).
c) Pricing Strategy
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Competitive prices get priority.
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Regular price drops can trigger algorithmic boosts.
d) Seller Ratings & Responsiveness
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Respond quickly to buyer questions.
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Ship on time to maintain a strong seller rating.
e) Listing Freshness
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Relisting or making small edits can refresh your visibility.
4. Step-by-Step Strategies to Boost Search
Here’s a practical guide for optimizing your Mercari listings:
Step 1: Optimize Titles for Keywords
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Bad Title: “Shoes – women’s”
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Good Title: “Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Women’s Running Shoes Size 8 Gray/White”
Step 2: Fill Out Every Detail
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Select the correct category, brand, condition, and shipping weight.
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Buyers filter by these, and Mercari ranks complete listings higher.
Step 3: Use SEO in Descriptions
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Include natural phrases buyers search for.
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Example: “Perfect for gym, running, or casual wear. Lightweight, breathable, and authentic Nike design.”
Step 4: Adjust Pricing Regularly
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Use Mercari’s Smart Pricing to automatically adjust your price downward.
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Or, manually drop your price slightly every week to trigger boosts.
Step 5: Engage the Algorithm
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Relist stale items after 30+ days.
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Make small edits (photos, wording, price) to refresh.
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Encourage likes by sharing on social media and offering bundle discounts.
5. Case Study: Boosting Visibility to Double Sales
Scenario: A seller listed 100 items in late 2024 but struggled with low visibility.
Actions Taken:
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Rewrote all titles with long-tail keywords.
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Added lifestyle photos for top 20 items.
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Used Mercari’s “Promote” tool for targeted discounts.
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Relisted items older than 60 days.
Results:
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Daily views jumped by 65%.
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Likes increased by 120%.
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Monthly sales doubled from $1,200 to $2,500 within 60 days.
6. Common Mistakes That Hurt Search Ranking
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Vague Titles: “Cute shirt” won’t rank well.
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Overpricing: Buyers scroll past listings priced way above market.
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Ignoring Old Listings: Stale inventory gets buried.
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Low-Quality Photos: Dark, blurry images decrease clicks.
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Slow Shipping: Leads to lower seller ratings, reducing visibility.
7. Advanced Tips: Long-Tail Keywords and Promotions
Long-Tail Keyword Strategy
Instead of “iPhone,” try:
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“Unlocked iPhone 13 Pro 256GB Sierra Blue – Excellent Condition”
This targets buyers ready to purchase, not just browsers.
Use Promotions Wisely
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Price Drops: Trigger notifications to all likers.
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Bundle Discounts: Encourage multi-item purchases.
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Coupons for Repeat Buyers: Improve loyalty and repeat visibility.
Cross-List for Exposure
Use a crosslisting tool to post on Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari simultaneously. This not only multiplies your exposure but also prevents dependency on one platform’s algorithm.
8. Final Thoughts
The Mercari algorithm rewards sellers who are consistent, strategic, and buyer-focused. By optimizing keywords, pricing smartly, engaging regularly with your listings, and building a strong seller profile, you can boost your search ranking and significantly increase your sales.
Remember, the algorithm is not your enemy—it’s designed to connect buyers with the best listings. If you learn how to play by its rules, you’ll gain an advantage over casual sellers and grow your reselling business in 2025.
