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Category Changes
May 2023
From 16 May, we're updating our category structure to make the eBay shopping experience more user-friendly.
These changes will make sure that:
- Your listings appear in the relevant categories
- Buyers can find your items easily and quickly — especially on mobile devices.
- Depending on the Item Specifics you’ve added, your listings may automatically move to a different, relevant category
- Categories are aligned across internal eBay sites, so buyers around the world can find your items easily
Find out if your listings are in the affected categories.
Please note: The changes to specific category structures may result in a pricing fee change.
Learn more about category changes
Useful resources to learn more about the category changes
All category changes for May 2023: PDF format, CSV format
New category structure from 16 May 2023: PDF format, CSV format
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. When will the category changes go live?
It can take up to 48 hours from the launch date for category changes to become visible on the site, but changes should appear on the site from 16 May 2023.
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2. What happens if one of my listing categories is combined with another one?
If this happens, your listing will automatically be moved to the next most relevant category. If you need to relist any items in an affected category after the changes have been made, please revise your listings (including Good 'Til Cancelled listings) and use the new category structure.
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3. What happens if one of my listing categories has been moved to another parent category?
Your listings will be moved automatically into the new category.
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4. What happens to my listings if my category now has subcategories?
If new subcategories have been added below your category, your listings will be moved to the most relevant subcategory based on the item specifics used in the listing. When you relist these items, be sure to list them in the appropriate subcategory and use eBay-recommended item specifics to increase their visibility in search results.
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5. Why should I use eBay-recommended item specifics?
Including item specifics in your listings allows buyers to view easy-to-read details about your items. This not only helps buyers find your items but can also result in an increase in bids and sales. While you can create your own, choosing eBay-recommend item specifics helps with maximising visibility to buyers.
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6. What happens if I don’t use the new and recommended item specifics in my listings?
Not using the new and recommended item specifics means your listings will be less likely to show in the left-hand navigation tool on the category page when buyers are searching. For example, if you have left out the item specifics for "colour" and a buyer updates their search filter to show items of a specific colour, your listing will not show in their search results.
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7. What happens if the updated item specifics don't match my current custom item specifics?
Please revise your listing and update the item specifics to make it easier for buyers to find your item.
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8. How will category updates affect my fees?
Generally speaking, when your item(s) is moved to a new category with different final value fees, it will adopt the final value fees of that new category and any changes in final value fee will apply when the item(s) sell. Variable category-based fee percentages currently only apply to eBay sellers with a store subscription. Sellers without a store subscription only pay a single variable percentage fee for most categories.
This does not apply to your final value fees prior to eBay managing your payments. For sellers who are not registered for eBay to manage their payments, please reach out to Customer Help if you have questions on the calculation of your final value fees.
For more information on Store selling fees, please visit our fees pages:
Category Changes Archive
- Download all category changes for September 2022 (PDF, CSV)
- Download all category changes for May 2022 (PDF, CSV)
- Download all category changes for October 2021 (XSLX)
- Download all category changes for May 2021 (XSLX)
- Download all category changes for October 2020 (XSLX)
- Download all category changes for May 2020 (XSLX)
- Download all category changes for October 2019 (XSLX)