Value Added Resource: Longtime ecommerce news site EcommerceBytes has ceased publication after 27 years, ending a run that began when publishers Ina and David Steiner launched AuctionBytes in 1999.
The husband-and-wife publishing operation, which rebranded as EcommerceBytes in 2011, covered eBay, Amazon, Etsy and other marketplaces, with a particular focus on issues affecting online sellers.
The site’s homepage has now been replaced with a farewell notice thanking freelance reporters, advertisers, providers and readers who supported the publication over the years and voicing the Steiners’ support for reporter shield laws like one currently being considered in Massachusetts.
Ina Steiner also sent a final NewsFlash to subscribers on September 14, saying she and David “will stop publishing EcommerceBytes” after 27 years and thanking readers for being part of their selling journey. She said they were proud to have given a voice to sellers who pioneered ecommerce. Neither the newsletter nor the website notice explains why publication is ending.
The message also doesn’t mention the Steiners’ recently settled lawsuit against eBay and several former executives over the 2019 stalking scandal, but the case had clear First Amendment and press freedom implications.
eBay security personnel targeted the Steiners over EcommerceBytes reporting and comments published on their site, while also trying to identify Fidomaster/ unsuckEBAY, an anonymous source and commenter who had drawn the attention of top company executives.