What does automatic publication do?
Automatic publication is an optional setting when creating an advert. An advert’s standard active publication period is 28 days. If the option is activated, the publication period may be extended automatically to as much as 56 days.
The function does not provide unlimited continuous publication. Nor does it cause a rejected, deactivated or deleted advert to reappear publicly automatically. The content, price, availability, dates, description and images must still be current and accurate.
Standard and maximum duration
The following applies to the duration:
- Without automatic publication enabled, the advert remains active for 28 days as standard.
- With automatic publication enabled, the active duration can be automatically extended to up to 56 days.
- The phrase ‘up to 56 days’ refers to the maximum duration of this setting.
- Once this period has elapsed, there will be no further indefinite automatic extension.
- Deactivation, deletion, rejection or a moderation measure may end the public display earlier.
Automatic publication does not guarantee a particular number of views, messages or successful contacts. It merely extends the possible period during which a permissible advert can be displayed as active.
How to enable the option when creating an advert
You can create a new advert under ‘Place an advert’.
Proceed as follows:
- Select the appropriate type, category, situation and location.
- Enter the title, description, price and any further details as required.
- Upload suitable images.
- Scroll down the creation form to the section below the options for increased visibility.
- Initially, ‘Automatic publication is disabled’ will be displayed there.
- Toggle the corresponding switch.
- Check whether ‘Automatic publication is enabled’ is then displayed.
- Check all the details and publish the advert.
The following message also appears in the form: “Your advert will remain active for 28 days and can be automatically extended to up to 56 days using auto-publication.”
This option is currently offered when creating the advert. Do not assume that it can be activated or changed at any time after publication. You should therefore check the status displayed carefully before submitting.
What happens if automatic publication is not enabled?
If automatic publication is disabled, the standard active period ends after 28 days. The advert is then automatically moved to the ‘Archived’ section and no longer appears amongst the active adverts.
Archiving does not mean deletion. The advert remains in your user account and can be reactivated using the function provided for this purpose if required.
You can find your adverts and their current status under ‘My Adverts’.
Further information can be found in the articles How does the archive system on suchen.expert work? and How do I repost an archived advert on suchen.expert?
What happens when automatic publication is enabled?
If this option is enabled, the advert can continue to be published automatically beyond the standard 28-day period. The total active period can therefore be up to 56 days.
This feature does not extend the advert indefinitely. Once the maximum publication period has expired, you should check the status under ‘My Adverts’. If you wish the advert to remain published, you may then need to reactivate it manually or create an updated advert.
Always check whether the advert is still current. Do not create simultaneously active adverts with identical content simply to circumvent the publication period.
Keeping the advert current remains your responsibility
Automatic publication does not check whether the content remains accurate. You should therefore check the advert regularly.
An update or deactivation is particularly necessary if:
- the item has been sold, given away, found or is no longer available,
- a service sought has already been arranged,
- the price, condition, scope of services or availability have changed,
- an event has been cancelled, postponed or has already ended,
- collection, delivery or service arrangements have changed,
- the description or images no longer correspond to the actual offer.
An advert that has served its purpose or is no longer current should be deactivated or deleted promptly. Do not leave it active merely because automatic publication is enabled.
Check status and duration
Under My adverts, the sections ‘Active’, ‘Pending’, ‘Rejected’, ‘Deactivated’ and ‘Archived’ are displayed depending on the advert concerned.
Check the following there:
- which section the advert is in,
- what its current status is,
- until what date it is shown as active,
- whether there are any notes regarding a review, rejection or archiving,
- which management functions are available for the advert.
The status currently displayed in the user account is always decisive. If the advert does not appear under ‘Active’, the article What should I do if my listing isn't on the “Active” tab? may help.
Distinguishing between automatic publication and additional options
Automatic publication must be distinguished from paid options for increased visibility. These may include, for example, ‘Yellow frame’, ‘Premium Top’ or ‘Gallery’.
Separate durations are displayed for these additional options in the creation form. These can currently range from seven to fourteen days, depending on the selected setting.
Please note:
- Automatic publication extends the potential active publication period of the advert.
- A promotion changes the advert’s presentation or placement for the promotion’s own duration.
- Automatic publication does not book a paid promotion.
- A promotion does not automatically mean that the advert’s standard publication period is extended.
- An additional option does not guarantee a specific placement, number of views or number of replies.
Before placing a paid order, always check the price shown, the duration and the relevant terms and conditions.
If automatic publication does not work as expected
First, check under ‘My Adverts’:
- whether the advert is listed as ‘Active’, ‘Pending’, ‘Rejected’, ‘Deactivated’ or ‘Archived’,
- what end date is shown for the active publication,
- whether the advert has since been edited, deactivated or deleted,
- whether a moderation decision or a technical note is displayed,
- whether the maximum publication period has already been reached.
General guidance can also be found under How does the process of publishing adverts on suchen.expert work, and what should I expect?
If the status remains unclear, contact support via the contact form. Where possible, provide the advert ID, the status displayed and the approximate time of publication. Do not send passwords, security codes or complete activation links.
