What the source terms usually describe
| Source term | Typical context | What still needs checking |
|---|---|---|
| Taobao | Retail marketplace listing | Exact item, option, seller, photos, current details |
| Weidian | Store or marketplace product page | Destination match, option price, seller context |
| 1688 | Wholesale-oriented marketplace listing | Minimum quantity, option structure, specifications |
| Yupoo | Image-catalog or album context | Whether a purchase/source link is provided and relevant |
These descriptions are orientation only. Platforms and page formats change, and individual sellers use them differently.
Raw link, original link, and converted link
A raw or original link usually means the marketplace or catalog URL before an agent-style conversion. A converted link is a new URL formatted for another service. The conversion may make a page easier to open, but it does not validate the item or preserve every parameter.
Conversion is not proof
A converter can carry an item identifier from one format to another. It cannot guarantee that the correct size, color, quantity, seller, price, shipping rule, or current listing state has been preserved.
Five checks before converting a link
- Destination: does the visible domain match the claimed source?
- Item identity: does the page title and main image match the spreadsheet row?
- Option: is the displayed price tied to the actual item or to a smaller accessory or deposit?
- Freshness: does the page still show usable item details, options, and images?
- Privacy: does the URL contain account, tracking, or unnecessary parameters that should not be shared?
How to treat redirects
A redirect is not automatically suspicious, but it creates another place for information to change. After the page opens, compare the final domain, item identifier, title, option list, and images with the original row. If the destination changes to an unrelated item or generic homepage, remove the row.
When a Yupoo page is useful
An album can provide more visual context than one spreadsheet thumbnail. Use it to identify colorways, detail angles, sizing images, or a source-link clue. Do not assume every album image represents the exact listing you will open, and do not treat a contact or catalog page as product verification.
What to do when the original page is missing
Do not keep a row just because the thumbnail looks promising. Search the product description and category to find a current page, then compare it as a new candidate. If only copied images remain and the exact item cannot be established, mark the old row as stale.
A safer way to handle links
- Open unfamiliar links in a separate tab and check the domain before interacting.
- Do not enter account or payment details into a destination reached through an unexplained redirect.
- Keep private order, login, and payment information out of public converters.
- Use official account channels for tracking, refunds, payment, or support.
- Return to the spreadsheet and record why the link was kept or removed.
Next step
If the source is clear, compare the candidate using the row-comparison method. If you are still exploring, use spreadsheet vs product search. If you are unsure whether the shared list itself is current, read how to review a shared spreadsheet. Before saving, run the seven-point checklist.