eBay
eBay Description Rules
Quick Answer
An eBay item description must accurately describe the item and stay consistent with the rest of the listing. Current eBay policy says the selected condition should match the item and be consistent across the title, description, and item specifics. Listing content must also be directly related to the item or the seller's terms and conditions.
Descriptions are not a place to move the transaction off eBay. Current eBay links and contact-information policies restrict off-eBay links and public contact information in listings, with limited policy exceptions.
Next, compare the description with eBay item specifics, then run the Listing Readiness Checker.
Quick Reference
| Check | Current eBay rule | Preparation action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Accuracy | Description must accurately describe the item | Use exact product and condition facts |
| Condition consistency | Condition should agree across title, description and item specifics | Resolve contradictions before publishing |
| Relevance | Listing content must relate to the item or seller terms | Remove unrelated promotional copy |
| Language | Description, pictures and video must use the primary language of the eBay site | Prepare the listing for the destination site |
| External links | Off-eBay links are generally not allowed, with specific exceptions | Do not add marketing or checkout links |
| Contact info | Public contact information is generally not allowed in listings | Keep communication and transaction flow on eBay |
- Last checked: September 7, 2026.
Prepare in one place
Publish Action
Build a factual listing description that stays consistent with condition, photos, title and item specifics.
Use one preparation flow for sizes, titles, descriptions, keywords, and checklists instead of switching between separate tools.
What the Description Should Answer
Use the description to remove buyer uncertainty that is not already clear from the structured fields:
- What exactly is being sold?
- What is the real condition?
- What visible wear, damage, missing part, repair, or limitation matters?
- What is included in the package?
- What dimensions, compatibility details, materials, or operating facts need explanation?
- What seller terms are relevant and permitted?
For used, collectible, open-box, or imperfect items, condition details should be concrete enough that the buyer can compare the text with the photos.
Condition Must Match Everywhere
Do not let the listing tell two stories.
Consistent example
- Condition field: Pre-owned
- Description: light scratches on the back; tested and working
- Photos: scratches visible
- Item specifics: condition-compatible attributes
Risky example
- Title says
New - Condition field says
Pre-owned - Description says
Like new, maybe used once
Resolve the actual condition before publication instead of softening the contradiction with vague wording.
Links and Contact Information
eBay's current Links policy generally prohibits item descriptions from sending buyers to an external site. Allowed link categories are limited and policy-specific. Current contact-information rules also generally prohibit publishing direct contact details in listings.
Do not add:
- an external checkout link;
- a website URL for off-eBay purchasing;
- an email address, phone number, social handle, or messaging ID for pre-sale contact;
- payment or bank details;
- a QR code or image whose purpose is to move the buyer outside eBay.
If a legal or category-specific exception applies, follow eBay's current policy rather than a generic template.
Formatting and Content Controls
Current item-description policy also restricts unsupported special-character presentation and requires the primary language of the destination eBay site. Keep the description readable on mobile and avoid old templates that rely on active scripts or complex embedded widgets.
A useful structure is:
1. one-sentence product summary;
2. condition and known flaws;
3. included items;
4. dimensions/specifications/compatibility;
5. permitted seller terms or care notes when relevant.
Common Mistakes
- Hiding a defect behind words such as
great condition. - Copying manufacturer copy without describing the exact used item being sold.
- Letting the description contradict the selected condition.
- Listing accessories in photos without stating whether they are included.
- Adding off-eBay links or public contact details.
- Using unrelated search keywords or promotional paragraphs that do not describe the item.
- Reusing an old HTML template without checking current eBay policy.
Before You Publish
- Confirm the exact condition.
- Compare description, title, photos and item specifics.
- State defects and missing parts clearly.
- Verify package contents.
- Remove off-eBay links and public contact details unless a current policy exception clearly applies.
- Check destination-site language.
- Preview the description on mobile.
Publish Action
Use Publish to keep product facts, title, images, item specifics and description in one preparation record. Then use the Listing Readiness Checker before opening the seller panel.
Source transparency
Reference context
- Reviewed
eBay's Item description policy, Links policy and Contact information sharing policy were rechecked on September 7, 2026. They support the accuracy, condition-consistency, item-relevance, language, link and contact-information distinctions above.
Last checked: September 7, 2026. Category-specific rules and legally required disclosures can add requirements, so the live eBay listing flow and current policy pages remain the final operational check.
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