About eBay

eBay is one of the world’s oldest and largest online marketplaces, founded in 1995. Unlike traditional retailers that sell their own inventory, eBay acts as a facilitator, connecting millions of buyers and sellers globally. The platform is famous for its auction-style listings, but today the majority of its business comes from “Buy It Now” transactions.

eBay is a go-to destination for rare collectibles, second-hand goods, refurbished electronics, auto parts, and discount brand-name items. For affiliates, it offers a massive inventory of over 1.4 billion listings, ranging from a $1 vintage coin to a $100,000 luxury car.

Disclaimer
Affiliate program terms can change frequently. The figures below are based on general information and may vary based on specific campaigns or affiliate tiers.

eBay Affiliate Program Overview

The eBay Partner Network (EPN) is the in-house affiliate program for eBay. It allows partners to earn money by driving traffic and sales to eBay’s global marketplace. It is a well-regarded program due to the brand’s high trust factor and the sheer volume of unique products available.

Feature Information
Industry E-commerce / Retail / Marketplace
Product Type Physical Goods (New, Used, Refurbished, Collectibles), Motors, Some Digital Goods
Affiliate Program Type CPA (Cost Per Action) / CPS (Cost Per Sale)

eBay Affiliate Program Offers

eBay offers a distinct set of terms compared to other retail giants. While the cookie duration is short, the “Buy It Now” and “Auction” conversion events provide flexibility.

Feature Information
Promotional Materials Smart Links, Creative Gallery (Banners/Logos), Bookmarklet tool, Link Generator, Smart Placements (Dynamic Banners), APIs.
Affiliate Cookie Duration 24 Hours (for “Buy It Now” items). For Auctions, if a bid is placed within 24 hours, you earn a commission if the auction is won within 10 days.
Accepted Traffic Source Websites, Blogs, Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, etc.), Mobile Apps, authorized Email Marketing.
Accepted Countries Global (eBay operates in 13 main global programs including US, UK, AU, DE, IT, FR, CA, etc., but accepts traffic from nearly anywhere).
Explicit Content No. eBay strictly prohibits placing affiliate links on sites with adult/sexual content.
Religious or Political Content Restricted. eBay generally prohibits association with content that promotes discrimination, hate speech, or violence based on religion or politics. Highly controversial political content is typically not a compliant placement.

eBay Affiliate Commissions & Payments

eBay pays partners a percentage of the revenue eBay earns from a sale (not the total sale price), which they call a “Priority Listing” or Category-based commission. Note that there are earning caps per item (e.g., you might be capped at earning $550 for a single sale).

Feature Information
MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) No
Commission Rate 1% – 4% (Varies by category. e.g., Parts & Accessories is often higher; Electronics/Video Games often lower).
Commission Structure Percentage of eBay’s revenue (sale fees) from the transaction.
Payout Frequency Monthly (Around the 10th of the month).
Payout Methods Electronic Funds Transfer (Direct Deposit) and PayPal.
Minimum Payout 10 units of your account currency (e.g., $10 USD, £10 GBP, €10 EUR).

Suitable Affiliates for eBay Affiliate

Because eBay sells everything, it is suitable for almost any niche. However, it is particularly powerful for niches where “used” or “hard-to-find” items are popular.

  • Bloggers: Ideal for niche bloggers (e.g., “Vintage Camera Lovers,” “Sneakerheads,” “Auto Parts”) who can link to specific rare items or search results.
  • TikTokers: Great for “Thrift Haul” videos, vintage fashion showcases, or “Flip Challenge” content where creators buy cheap and sell high.
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Suitable for reviewing specific affordable gadgets or refurbished tech found on eBay.
  • KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): High-end collectors (watches, trading cards) can monetize their expertise by directing followers to trusted eBay listings.
  • Influencers: Fashion influencers focusing on sustainable/second-hand fashion (Pre-loved) perform very well here.
  • YouTubers: Tech reviewers (buying old tech to restore), car mechanics (linking to parts), and unboxing channels.
  • Video Editors: Can use eBay to find affordable equipment (lenses, lighting) and recommend these budget setups to their audience.
  • Livestreamers: Hosts who do “live breaks” of trading cards (Pokemon/Sports cards) or live auctions often utilize eBay for inventory or price checking.

eBay Affiliate Software

No, they do not use a third-party network like Impact or CJ anymore. eBay uses its own In-House Affiliate Management Software known as the eBay Partner Network (EPN) Portal. This custom-built platform provides detailed reporting, link generation tools, and performance analytics directly from eBay.

3 Alternatives for eBay Affiliate Program

Here is a comparison of eBay against its three biggest competitors: Amazon Associates, Walmart, and Etsy.

Comparison Factor eBay Partner Network Amazon Associates Walmart Affiliate Etsy Affiliate
Average Bill (AOV) Medium ($30 – $50)

(Higher for Motors/Watches)

 Medium ($40 – $60)

(Very high volume)

 Medium ($50 – $70)

(Groceries boost this)

 Low/Medium ($30 – $40)

(Handmade items)
Entry Fees Free Free Free Free ($5 listing fee for sellers, free for affiliates)
Withdrawal Threshold $10 $10 Gift card/Direct deposit – $100 Check $50 $20 – $50 (Varies by network)
Payment Frequency Monthly (Net 30) Monthly (Net 60) Monthly (Net 60) Monthly / Bi-Monthly
Commission 1% – 4% (Capped) 1% – 10% (Fixed rates) 1% – 4% 4% (Standard)
Conversion Rate High (~2-5%)

(Trust is high, but auctions can add friction)

 Very High (~5-15%)

(Prime makes buying easy)

 Medium (~2-4%) Medium (~1.5-3%)
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