Selecting a Category
Choosing an appropriate category is very important to your selling success.
Before you list your item, search for items that are the same or similar to yours and take note what categories they are listed in. Also look at the number of bids and the page-view counter (if shown) and select categories with a high bid and page-view count.
How to use suggested categories
To find an appropriate category for your item, click the Sell button at the top of most eBay pages.
Enter descriptive keywords describing your item (for example, picture frame) into the search box labelled "What are you selling?" and then click the Start selling button. The Select a Category page appears.
Select an appropriate category for your item. You can tell where other sellers are listing similar items by viewing the "% item match" column. This is an estimate of all items listed by sellers in the eBay categories containing your keywords.
If you don't find a category you like in the list of displayed categories, refine your search and try again. You can try using keywords that are more descriptive, additional keywords, or making your keywords more generic.
Select a category and then click the Save and Continue button. Your category will be selected and you can continue listing your item.
Want to reach more buyers? You can also list your item in a second category using the Suggested Categories feature. The search box is located in the "List in two categories" section on the Category page.
Note: Selecting an appropriate category for your item is your responsibility. All items must be listed within appropriate categories. eBay may move your listing if it's listed in a category that is unrelated to the item you are selling.
Search Tips
Here are some search tips to help you maximise your search so you can find the best categories for your items.
Use specific words instead of general ones
For example, a search for Ikea glass vase will return more precise search results than a search for vase.
Be careful when using and, or, and the
eBay searches for 'and', 'or', and 'the' just like it would any other word. Use 'and', 'or', and 'the' only if you are searching for items containing these words (for example, Diana Ross and the Supremes or Truth or Dare).
Don't search by the category name
Searching by category (for example, Collectables) will search for items, not categories, where sellers have included the word "collectables" in their item title.
Previously Used Categories
Once you have listed an item using the Sell Your Item form, eBay saves the category you listed in so you can select it again next time.
A maximum of 10 recently used categories are displayed.
When listing your item, you can use a recently used category as your main or secondary category.
After you select a recently used category, you may find that the options available for your second category may have changed. This is because you cannot list in the same category twice, so eBay removes the category you have just selected from the second category list.
Note: Please select your listing categories with care. eBay may move your listing if it appears in a category that is unrelated to the item you are selling.
