sense. So, in general, it is not the case that you need to memorize all of the parameters that can be used
in each search index.
Search Indices, Parameters, and Locales
There is one further restriction on the use of parameters in an
ItemSearch
request. The search index
values that can be used in an
ItemSearch (p. 196)
request vary by locale. For example, the Baby and
Beauty search indices are available in the US but not in the UK locale. An error is returned if you use a
search index value that is not supported in a locale. The limitations on the use of search indices by locale
therefore also limits the use of
ItemSearch
parameters.
For a complete list of
ItemSearch
parameters supported in each search index and in each locale, see
the
Search Index and ItemSearch Parameter Combinations (p. 398)
.
Common ItemSearch Parameters
Topics
•
Returning Only Available Items (p. 88)
•
Inaccurate Availabilities (p. 89)
•
Availability Parameter Restrictions and Constraints (p. 90)
•
Searching Across Indices (p. 91)
Once you decide on a search index value and check
Search Index and ItemSearch Parameter
Combinations (p. 398)
to determine what
ItemSearch (p. 196)
input parameters are valid for that search
index, you should set values for as many valid parameters as you can to increase the accuracy of the
search results.
The most commonly used input parameters are the ones that can be used with the most search indices,
including:
• Availability—Specifies that the item must be available for purchase. The only valid value for the parameter
is "Available."
• BrowseNode—Enables you to search a specified browse node for associated items.
• Condition—Enables you to specify the condition of an item. Valid values are "All," "New," "Used,"
"Collectible," and "Refurbished." The default is "New." Condition does not restrict the total number of
items returned. It does, however, restrict the offers returned to those items that are in the specified
condition.
• Keywords—A word or phrase (words separated by xml-encoded spaces, %20) used as a search criteria.
The titles and descriptions of items are searched for keywords.
• MaximumPrice—The maximum price that an item can cost.
• MinimumPrice—The minimum price that an item can cost.
• Title—A word or phrase (words separated by xml-encoded spaces, %20) used as a search criteria.
The titles of items are searched for these words.
The definitions for all
ItemSearch
parameters are in the API Reference. The following sections describe
in greater detail some of the commonly-used parameters.
Returning Only Available Items
ItemSearch
returns available and unavailable items. Unavailable items are, for example, items that are
temporarily out of stock. By setting the Availability parameter to "Available,”
ItemSearch
can filter out
most of the items that are unavailable. The following
ItemSearch
request returns shirts that are available.
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Product Advertising API Developer Guide
Common ItemSearch Parameters