Signal

v1.2.0

Signals are programmatic recommendations to help customers make more informed decisions.

  • Skin
  • CoreUI
  • React

Considerations

Clear

Signals use one or two words to clearly convey their meaning.

Consistent

Signals appear in familiar places throughout the experience.

Trustworthy

Clear, consistent, and infrequent use of signals helps build trust in their message.

Anatomy

Anatomy of a signal. Number 1 points to the title. Number 2 points to the container.
  1. Title
  2. Container

Properties

Title

A title is required and should summarize the signal in one or two words. Only a select few terms are included in the default signal options.

An item tile with a signal above the item title. The title of the signal is “GREAT PRICE”.

Color

Signals use color in combination with titles to convey added meaning. Blue indicates trust, green signifies recency, and red represents time-sensitive or urgent information.

Three signals highlighting the color representation of each. The blue trust color is used in “GREAT PRICE”. The green recency color is used in “NEW LISTING”. The red time-sensitive color is used in “DEAL ENDING”.

Behavior

Frequency

Signals should highlight items to assist customers in making quick, informed decisions. Remember that the system automatically places items and badges. While we can't always predict how many signals will appear on a page or in close proximity, it's ideal to aim for a ratio of 1:5—one signal per five items when possible.

A grid of item tiles. Out of the 8 item tiles, only two have signals.

Text overflow

To enforce brevity, titles truncate if they extend beyond the width of the item tile container.

An item tile with an extra long signal title. The title truncates with “...”

Screen sizes

Small

The signal ratio can be adjusted according to the content density in view. Aim for one or two signals in view when possible.

A small-sized search results page with the top left having a signal.

Medium and large

Aim for the 1:5 ratio—one signal per five items on medium and large screens when possible.

A medium-sized search results page with signals in the 1st tile in the top row and 2nd tile on the bottom row.

Best practices

Placement

Do keep the signal in a consistent location above the item’s title.

An item tile with the signal at the top above the item’s title.

Don’t relocate the signal, such as placing it under the price. This interferes with the hierarchy of the content.

An item tile with the signal moved in hierarchy below the item’s price.

Frequency

Do use signals sparingly to highlight certain products and help the user make a decision.

Three stacked item tiles. The middle item has a signal.

Don’t overload results with signals. This could nullify their message and cause customers to ignore them.

Three stacked item tiles. All of the items have a signal.

Interaction

Use signals as straightforward visual elements designed to assist in decision-making.

An item tile with a signal that is not interactive.

Don’t use a tip on a signal, as there’s no indication that an element of this type is intended for interaction.

An item tile with a signal that is interactive and opens a tip.

Styling

Do use uppercase type for signal titles.

A signal using all uppercase letters.

Don’t alter the type casing of signal titles.

A signal using sentence case.

Do follow the semantic color strategy for signals.

A “NEW LISTING” signal in green.

Don’t update signals to new, unapproved colors.

A “NEW LISTING” signal in purple.

Do use the outlined signal design.

A green, outlined signal.

Don’t fill signals or add effects.

A green filled signal with a gradient fill and a drop shadow.

Do use a 100% corner radius on the container.

A signal using 100% corner radius on the container.

Don’t alter the shape of the container.

A signal with a container that represents a closer resemblance to a rectangle.

Content

Do use the standard text strings that are readily available for signals.

A standard signal text string “DEAL ENDING”.

Don’t create your own text strings. If a new string is needed, please sign up for OneExperience office hours to share your use case.

A new/wordy signal text string “HURRY! IT’S ALMOST GONE!”.

Specs

Spec for a signal pill. The height is 16px with 8px of padding on the left and right of the title.

Change log

VersionDateNotes
1.2.0
Aug, 2024
  • Expanded best practice examples
  • Updated to eBay Evo
1.2.0
Jun, 2022
  • Removed dark mode as a property
1.1.0
Apr, 2022
  • Added dark mode version
1.0.0
Mar, 2020
  • Component published