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Feedback Manipulation


Feedback left or received, including detailed seller ratings (DSRs) where the feedback’s primary value is to artificially enhance a member’s reputation rather than provide commentary on genuine transactional experience is not permitted.

Consequently, offering to sell, buy or barter feedback is not permitted. In addition, registering multiple accounts (or working with others) in order to exchange feedback to artificially increase your feedback score is not permitted.

eBay will view the recurrence of listings which are uncharacteristic of a reasonable business model to be in violation.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

  • Listing cancellation

  • Limits on account privileges

  • Account suspension

  • Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings

  • Loss of PowerSeller status

  • Feedback removal

Some Examples

  • It is a violation to include the term "feedback" or any reference to eBay feedback in the listing title. The only exception is when the term "feedback" directly describes the item listed.

  • It is a violation to offer to buy, sell or barter feedback in an email (i.e. Ask Seller a Question or Contact eBay Member) or in the item description.

  • It is a violation to include in the title of a very inexpensive listing a phrase such as "Build Your FB score quickly".

  • It is a violation to send an email to a member offering to pay them for their user name.

  • It is a violation to exchange feedback for the sole purpose of increasing your feedback score to obtain site privileges or enhance your reputation. This most frequently occurs when a person purchases low priced, non-physical items, but may include other types of transactions as well.

  • It is not a violation to exchange feedback on low priced items when genuinely trading that item. For example, a seller who routinely sells postcards and trading cards is not likely to receive scrutiny for feedback manipulation. By contrast, a seller who usually sells high-value electronics and received multiple feedbacks for selling paper clips may be investigated by eBay for feedback manipulation.

  • It is not a violation to state that you will leave feedback upon receipt of feedback.

  • It is not a violation to include in the title the term "feedback" when selling a book titled "Reduce Feedback in Amps".

Additional Information

If you have information regarding a possible feedback manipulation offense, please contact us using the "Report" link below and include any information (auction number, user ID of seller, and so forth) that would help us review the situation.

Note: Posts made in eBay’s Want It Now area must also comply with this policy. Want It Now posts that violate this policy may be removed. Repeated violations may result in suspension. You can report a Want It Now violation of this policy from the Want It Now Policies page.

Why does eBay have this policy?

Feedback is the foundation of trust on eBay. Purchasing, selling or trading feedback undermines the integrity of the feedback system and decreases trust within the eBay marketplace. Just like in the world outside eBay, reputations are earned. Your eBay reputation, as denoted by your feedback score, should also be earned, not purchased.

Contact Customer Support

Report listing violations or problems with another eBay member.


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