Item title

• Use all 80 characters of the title to include words buyers would use to find your listing.

• Include descriptive words that are important for your particular item, whether that means the brand, designer, year, size, color, material, or even terms such as “antique.” Learn more about writing an effective title.

Category

• List your item in all relevant categories.

• If you list only in one category, make sure it’s the right one. Learn more about selecting a category.

Item specifics

• Use item specifics to describe your item’s features, attributes, and condition. We use these item specifics to help determine which items are most relevant to the buyer’s search.

• Add as many item specifics as possible.

• Don’t skip important item specifics, such as Condition. If your item is new but you don’t specify its condition in your item specifics, buyers who narrow their search results to look for new items won’t see your listing.

Product information

• If your item matches a product in our catalog, you’ll be offered the choice to list your item using the prefilled product information. Whenever possible, list using the catalogue information.

• When buyers search for products that are in our catalogue (such as a DVD or video game system), matching products appear first in search results.

Relist your fixed-price items

• When you need to sell the same item again, relist the item rather than creating a new listing.

• When relisting, don’t increase the price or change the title, category, or item condition. Otherwise, it won’t count as the same item and you won’t receive a boost for recent sales. You can, however, lower the item’s price.

Use a multi-quantity listing to sell identical items

• Use a multi-quantity listing and list the items at a fixed price.

• Give yourself time to build recent sales by choosing the 30-day duration or Good ‘Til Cancelled option.

Do all my items appear in search results?

In search results, we include all items that match the buyer’s search.

However, each page of search results displays a maximum of 10 items from a single seller, unless there are no other matching items. This 10-item limit helps ensure that buyers are given a choice of items from many sellers.

Which listing format should I use to increase my exposure in search results?

Each page of search results displays a mixture of items in both auction-style and fixed-price formats

There are many factors to consider when choosing a listing format. Here are some tips to help you decide:

• If your item is unique or you’re unsure of its value, consider using an auction-style listing.

• If you’re selling multiple identical items, consider listing them at a fixed price using a multi-quantity listing.

• If you’re not sure how to list your item, try some sample searches to see how your listing would compare to those from other sellers.

Among auction-style listings, which items receive a higher search standing?

Items that are ending soonest are given an additional boost in search results. A seller's performance rating also contributes to each listing's placement in search.

Among fixed-price listings, which items receive a higher search standing?

Items with recent sales history are given an additional boost. Learn more about building your recent sales history.

Can I use a listing upgrade to improve my search standing?

Featured Plus and Featured first gives your items additional visibility in search results.

• With Featured Plus, your item appears in the Featured items section at the top of the page that it naturally falls on in the search results list.

• With Featured First, your item appears in the special Featured section above the general Picture Gallery.

Other listing upgrades, such as highlighting or bold, don’t affect your position in search standings.

Learn more about listing upgrades.