Examples of keyword spamming that are not permitted:

• Lists of words:

  • The inclusion of words as a means to attract viewers via eBay search engines that do not truly describe the actual item:

    • Example not allowed:

      • "oil reproductions, art recreations, gallery, art gallery, impressionist, impressionism, oil paintings, reproduction, painting, recreation, copy, quality, reproductions, recreations, realistic, copies, paintings, old masters, replica, posters, prints, video..."

  • The inclusion of words that are used to promote the seller’s other eBay listings.

    • Example not allowed:

      • "Please view my other eBay listings for Beanie Babies, vintage Barbie's, Rolex watches and Chanel scarves."

    • Example allowed:

      • "Please view my other eBay listings."

• Hidden HTML text: Sellers may include hidden text (for example "white on white") or source tags (meta or header tags). However, such text may not include any keywords or be used as a means of promoting the item. Keywords "hidden" within the title, description or through other means are not allowed.

• Dropdown boxes: Because the search engine will pick up words listed within a dropdown box, this interferes with the search results, and is thus not permitted. As an alternative, sellers may include dropdown boxes on their About Me pages, as this would not interfere with the search engine.

• Brand Name Misuse: Do not include any brand names or company logos in listings other than the specific brand name used by the company that manufactured or produced the item being listed. Certain uses of brand names may also constitute trademark infringement and could expose sellers to legal liability.

  • Examples not allowed:

    • A homemade product that incorporates in its name another company's brand name (such as Beanie™ Box).

    • An Internet domain name that contains in it the brand name of another company (such as www.disneymovies.com).

• Compatibility: If an item sold is mechanically or electrically compatible with multiple, specific brands or products, the compatible components may be listed, within reason. This does not apply to universally compatible items.

  • Example not allowed:

    • “This faceplate fits all Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony Ericsson cellular phones.”

  • Examples allowed:

    • "This software is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP."

    • "This faceplate fits all Nokia cellular phones."

• Comparisons: Sellers are not permitted to make comparisons between items in a listing title.

  • Example not allowed:

    • The titles "Leather Handbag, like Chanel","Leather Handbag, Chanel style", or "Leather handbag, not Chanel" are not permitted on eBay because they make comparisons between the item being offered, a leather handbag, to a Chanel handbag.

  • Example allowed:
    In the description only, sellers are permitted to compare the item being offered to one other similar product, so long as the listing is not misleading in any way as to which company made the item offered.
    Example:

    • "This vacuum cleaner does a much better job at cleaning ground-in dirt than Acme brand vacuum cleaners."

• Compilations and informational items: Listings that include compilations or informational content on any media are subject to the following restrictions:

  • Any listing that offers general wholesale items may not use any specific brand or keywords words in the title.

  • The listing description may not contain the excessive use of keywords to describe the contents of the compilation or informational media.

• Bonuses and Gifts: Keywords describing bonus items cannot be included in the title of a listing.

Category Guidelines
All words used to describe an item, whether in the title or description of the item page or any other way that may be found using Search, must be strictly related to the item being listed and adhere to the guidelines below.

• Motors: With vehicular compatible items (such as Xenon headlights for an automobile), sellers may include compatible brands/products in the title, provided the title still accurately describes what is being listed. In the same scenario, reference to 25 compatible brands/products may be included in the description.

• Books and other printed media: Books and other forms of printed media may use the necessary means to describe their contents. However, these items may not use excessive keywords to do so.

• Catalogs: Catalog titles and descriptions may not contain extensive lists of specific items included within the catalog.

• Filmographies, discographies and bibliographies: Specific names, locations, etc. may be included in a listing for a book, movie, or album. However excessive use of keywords will not be permitted.

Keyword spamming results in a poor shopping and finding experience for buyers since keyword spamming returns listings in which the buyer may have no interest. Keyword spamming also results in an unlevel playing field for sellers who do not keyword spam and may receive fewer potential buyers.