2 min article

Adding a category to your listing

To help buyers find what they're looking for, eBay organizes items into different categories. Your choice of category – and whether you add a second category – can help you reach the right buyers.

Lots of buyers refine their searches by category, so choosing the right category will make your item easier to find.

How to add categories

When you start listing your item, a category is usually pre-populated with suggestions based on your title.

If you don't agree with what's suggested, you can select Search categories or Browse categories to find an alternative.

When you've used a category in a previous listing, eBay saves it so you can select it again as either your main or secondary category.

Tip
Sometimes we'll change the category if your selection doesn't match the item listed.

How to list in two categories

Listing in two categories increases the chances that your item will get in front of an interested buyer.

To add a second category, select Add a second category in the Product details section of the listing form.

You'll pay an insertion fee for including a second category – this fee still applies even when using a free listing. If you list in 2 categories, the greater of the two final value fees will apply.

Listing in two categories isn't available in all categories. Please review the list below to see which categories are excluded.

Excluded categories

  • Business & Industrial: 
    • Heavy Equipment (includes all subcategories)
    • Concession Trailers & Carts (found in Restaurant & Catering)
    • Commercial Printing Presses (found in Printing & Graphic Arts)
    • Imaging & Aesthetics Equipment (found in Healthcare, Lab & Life Science)
  • DVD & Blu-ray Discs: Listing in 2 categories isn't available for the DVD & Blu-ray Discs category. If you choose this as your first category, you won't be able to select a second category. If you choose it as your second category, it will automatically be removed from the listing before you submit it
  • Consumer Electronics: Listing in 2 categories isn't available for the following categories:
    • Consumer Electronics > Vehicle Electronics & GPS >GPS Units
    • Consumer Electronics > Portable Audio & Headphones > iPods & MP3 Players
    • If you choose either of these as your first category, you won't be able to select a second category. If you choose either of these as your second category, it will automatically be removed from the listing before you submit it
  • Motor Vehicles
  • Real Estate
  • Listings with variations: When creating a listing with variations, you might want to consider listing in only 1 category. Currently, you can create a listing with variations in the following categories:
    • Baby
    • Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
    • Crafts
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden (most sub-categories)
    • Jewellery & Watches
    • Pet Supplies
    • Sporting Goods

You can use our category look-up tool to find out if listings with variations are available in your category. Listings with variations depend on variation details and item specifics that might not be available in a second category. If you select a second category that doesn't allow variations, you won't be able to create a listing with variations.

As always, please list your item in appropriate categories. We investigate complaints and will move your listing if necessary. Learn more about our search and browse manipulation policy.

Your choice of category – and whether you add a second category – can help you reach the right buyers.

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