The following search tips will help you save time searching for what you want, narrow your search to get a more precise match, and expand your search to get more choices.

Saving time

• Save your Favourite Searches. If you frequently search for the same items on eBay, you can save those searches and search for those items whenever you choose. Saving your Favourite Searches saves you time because you don’t have to re-enter the same information again and again. In addition, when you save a Favourite Search, eBay will send you new search results daily, by email, so that you’re always informed when there are new items for you to explore. Learn more about Saving your Favourite Searches.

• Install and use the eBay Toolbar. The eBay Toolbar works with your Web browser and provides quick access to eBay. The eBay Toolbar includes options for searching, checking the status of items you’re watching or bidding on, and protecting your account information. The eBay Toolbar also includes one-click access to eBay, My eBay, Stores, your Favourite Searches, and the eBay Community. Learn more about the searching using the eBay Toolbar.

Narrowing your search

• Start with two or three keywords. Start your search by using two or three keywords, for example, new, DVD, player. Note: Keywords are not case-sensitive. For example, dvd returns the same results as DVD.

• Try different search words. There are many words to describe an item, for example, sofa or couch and purse or handbag. Try to imagine which words a seller might use for the item you're seeking. Try several different options and combinations, but use just two or three words at a time so that you get a variety of results.

• Use specific words instead of general ones. For example, searching for a Beatles poster will return fewer, more precise listings than searching for Beatles.

• For a closer match, specify a date, color, or brand. Be specific, and narrowly define your search. For example, to find a particular Barbie doll dress made in the 1960s, instead of typing Barbie in the search box, type Barbie dress 196*. (Learn more about the using an asterisk for wildcard searches in search commands.) If you want only red dresses, type Barbie red dress.

• Be careful when using the words and, or, and the in search criteria. eBay's search engine searches for the words and, or, and the just like any other word, so we recommend that you not include these words in your search. (To search for one term and/or another, learn eBay's search commands.)

• Don't use extra punctuation. Punctuation such as , . / ! ( ) is ignored by the search engine and is treated the same as a space. For example, Dr. Watson will return the same results as Dr Watson, so you can use a space instead of a period. (Learn search commands for punctuation commands that narrow your search.)

Expanding your search

• Search titles and descriptions to get more matches. When you perform a search, eBay’s search engine looks for your keywords in the title of the items for sale, but sometimes those keywords are in the description of the item, not the title. To also search the item description, select the Search title and description checkbox located under the search box. This will usually return many more items.

• Search using both plural and singular forms. You may get different results if you try searching for an item in both its plural and singular form. For example, you get two different search results when you search for kangaroo and for kangaroos.

• Try different spellings of the same keyword. In some languages, the alternate spelling without special characters such as accents (á), umlauts (ü) or tildes (õ) may not be grammatically correct, but since sellers may not use the special character variation, trying different spellings may produce additional results. For example, trying both “gray” and “grey”.

• Consider browsing. If you're not searching for a specific item, try browsing the category listing pages. You might discover some surprises.

• Try a Want It Now posting. If you're looking for a hard-to-find item, you can tell millions of sellers what you want by creating a Want It Now posting.