Duplicate listings policy

Policy overview

The duplicate listings policy is designed to help you list in a way that makes it easy for buyers to find and compare items that interest them.

You can't have more than one fixed price listing of an identical item at the same time.

You can have more than one auction-style listing for identical items. However, only one duplicate auction-style listing without bids will appear on eBay at a time. Separate listings may be created for the same item on different eBay sites, as long as the international delivery options don't result in the listings cluttering the search results of any individual site.

These restrictions on duplicate listings include listing an identical item in different categories or listing an identical item using different user IDs.

What are duplicate listings?

Listings are considered duplicates if they are for items that have no significant difference between them, or if the listings appear to be for the same item in search results. To prevent your listings from being treated as duplicates, make sure you clearly show the differences in the title, price, condition, photo, subtitle, item specifics, or in the parts compatibility areas of a listing.

Make sure you use relevant item specifics and include product identifiers such as UPC and MPN when applicable to differentiate your items and boost visibility.

We may also look at other parts of the listing, such as the description, to determine whether it's a duplicate.

The following types of listings, if they are for identical items, are considered duplicate listings even if the listing format or details vary:

• An auction-style listing with the Buy it now option and an auction-style listing without the Buy it now option for an identical item.
• A fixed price listing and an auction-style listing with the Buy it now option for an identical item.

Top tips to make sure your listings comply with the policy and have the best possible position in eBay's Best Match search results

• List identical items in one multi-quantity fixed price listing.
• List items with variations, such as size and colour, in one fixed price listing with variations.
• List items that fit multiple vehicles in parts compatibility listings. Don't include the compatible vehicles in the title.

What are the guidelines?

Follow these guidelines to make sure that your listings follow our listing policies and have the best possible position in eBay Best Match sort order

• List identical items in one multi-quantity fixed price listing
• List items with variations such as size and colour in one fixed price listing with variations
• List items that fit multiple vehicles in parts compatibility listings. Don't include the compatible vehicles in the title

 

Allowed

• Separate listings for items that are similar but not identical, as long as the differences are clearly reflected in the title, subtitle, price, photos, condition, item specifics or parts compatibility areas of a listing
• One fixed price listing with variations
• One fixed price listing offering multiples of an item
• Two or more listings to sell bundles or item lots, where the lots or bundles are very different and clearly satisfy different buyer needs. Be sure to use the Bundle listing item specific. For example, a camera with a lens and accessory kit meets a different buyer need to a camera body
• Listings with more than one product number, product name, or brand in the listing as long as the item is specifically made to fit each product and the listing complies with our search and browse manipulation policy
• Separate listings for items that are identical except for condition, such as 1 new, 1 used, and 1 refurbished item

 

Restricted

• Separate listings for the same item are allowed on different eBay sites, as long as the international delivery options don't result in the listings cluttering the search results of any individual site
• Bundles with minor variations should be listed in a single fixed price listing with variations. For example, a camera with a choice of a 2GB memory card, 8GB memory card or 64GB card should all be listed as variations in a single listing
• Separate listings for items made to fit specific products, models, or brands - such as connector cables, phone chargers or auto parts. You can have up to 5 fixed price listings per item for these types of products
• Example: The following 5 listings for identical phone chargers that fit only certain Nokia models, with each listing specifying a different compatible product, are allowed:
  • One listing with title "NEW 19 inch USB Charger Cable for Nokia N72 N79 N81 N78"
  • One listing with title "NEW 19 inch USB Charger Cable for Nokia N96 N75 N76 N77"
  • One listing with title "NEW 19 inch USB Charger Cable for Nokia N800 N810 N93i"
  • One listing with title "NEW 19 inch USB Cable for Nokia N80 ie N80 Internet Ed"
  • One listing with title "NEW 19 inch USB Cable for Nokia E55 E61i E65 E71 E72 E75"
• This exception does not apply to generic or universal items that fit all or most products (for example, AA batteries)
• Separate parts compatibility listings in Motors Parts & Accessories categories. You can use up to 5 separate fixed price listings for identical parts as long as:
  • The parts compatibility listings table shows different vehicle matches in each listing
• The compatibility tables are filled with the maximum of 3,000 different vehicles selected by the seller before creating additional listings. This maximum number of different vehicles must not include any vehicles that are the same in other listings

 

Not allowed

• Separate listings for identical generic or universal items - such as AA batteries, generic lens caps, generic cases, and cables - listed as being compatible with certain products
• Separate listings for identical items compatible with several products or models where the same compatible models are displayed in all listings
• Example: The following separate listings for identical phone chargers that fit the Motorola Droid, BlackBerry Bold and Samsung Galaxy are not allowed:
  • One listing for a "phone charger for Motorola Droid, BlackBerry Bold, Samsung Galaxy"
  • One listing for a "phone charger for Bold, Galaxy, Droid"
  • One listing for a "phone charger for Droid, BlackBerry Bold, Galaxy"
• More than one listing for items that aren't significantly different or don’t satisfy a different buyer need, including bundles with minor accessory variations. For example, separate listings for an electronic item bundled with 10 accessories and 1 listing for the same set plus 3 more accessories. In this case, the items should be listed in one multi-quantity fixed price listing. If you have an eBay Shop you can also use Promotions Manager to allow buyers to select which accessories they want to purchase
• More than 1 listing when an inconsequential bonus or free item is added as a bundle
• Separate parts compatibility listings for identical parts in eBay Motors Parts & Accessories with compatible vehicles list in the title and the parts compatibility table
• Example: Three separate parts compatibility listings for identical fuel pumps, each with a title for a different vehicle but all with identical parts compatibility with a 1996 Dodge Dakota, a 1999 Ram 3500 Van, and a 2002 Dodge Durango
• Listings for identical items with an additional item of insignificant value added to create a listing that appears different. For example, you can’t have one listing for a Dell computer with a mouse pad, and another listing for the same model Dell computer with a package of paper clips
• More than one identical item listed separately by the same seller:
  • Under another eBay user ID
    • The following will be considered "one seller" under this policy if the accounts are used to sell duplicate listings:
      • Multiple accounts from an individual
      • Multiple accounts from a single business
      • Multiple accounts from multiple businesses that are – fully or partially – owned by the same individual or related individuals
      • Multiple accounts from related individuals, including family, friends, roommates, employees, or online connections
  • Identical items listed in different categories, though you might be able to list an item in a second category
• A fixed price listing and an auction-style listing with the Buy it now option for identical items
• Multiple auction-style listings for identical items can't offer any of the following:
  • Buy it now option
  • Different start prices
  • Different reserve prices
  • Different titles or descriptions

Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

Why does eBay have this policy?

We want buyers to see the full range of choices available for the item they are looking for.