Rules and ethics
Part of What are eBay product photo requirements UK sellers must meet?
What are eBay product photo requirements UK sellers must meet?
eBay.co.uk image rules explained: minimum 500 pixel photos, the 1600 pixel zoom standard, and why borders, watermarks and added text get listings suppressed.
What to take away
- eBay.co.uk requires listing images at least 500 pixels on the longest side.
- eBay recommends 1600 pixels on the longest side for zoom.
- Borders, watermarks, added text and promotional overlays are banned.
- The first image must show the actual item you are sending.
- A breach can cost you the image, the listing and search visibility.
One policy, four nations
eBay sets a single image policy for the whole platform, so sellers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland work to identical rules. What changes is the wording of your listing, not the photo spec. The policy covers the content of a photo, not just its quality.
Every image must show the exact item being sold, and the first image must be a clean, unobstructed shot of it. Catalogue shots, manufacturer stock images and drawings are not acceptable for used goods, because buyers use the photo to judge condition.
Image size, format and count
Two numbers decide whether your photos do their job: the minimum for a valid image, and the size needed for zoom. eBay asks for at least 500 pixels on the longest side. Zoom, which buyers use to check stitching or hallmarks, needs 1600 pixels on the longest side. Export at 1600 pixels or more and let eBay handle the resizing.
JPEG and PNG cover almost every listing need. JPEG keeps files small in a large catalogue, while PNG suits flat colour graphics such as size charts.
| Point | What eBay expects |
|---|---|
| Minimum size | 500 pixels on the longest side |
| Size for zoom | 1600 pixels on the longest side |
| First image | The real item, with no text or border |
| Image count | Up to 24 photos on most listings |
| Formats | JPEG and PNG |
Borders, watermarks and added text
This is where most new sellers lose listings. eBay bans borders and frames around listing photos. Watermarks are banned too, including your shop name or logo stamped over the image. Price tags, arrows and badges such as "free postage" breach the same rule.
If you want to protect an image, embed ownership details in the file metadata rather than across the picture. Put your shop name in the item description. Advertising claims carried in a listing image also fall under the CAP non-broadcast code, which the ASA enforces in the UK.
Copyright in your listing photos
Copyright in a photograph normally belongs to the person who took it. Where an employee takes the photo as part of their job, the employer owns it instead. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 sets out that first ownership at section 11.
If you commission a photographer, the copyright stays with them unless the assignment is in writing. Our guide to product photography copyright UK explains what a written handover should cover.
A step sequence for preparing each photo
- Shoot on a plain white or light grey background and fill the frame with the item.
- Crop square or portrait, then export at 1600 pixels on the longest side.
- Check the full-size file for hangers, props and background clutter.
- Remove every border, watermark and text layer before export.
- Name the file clearly and upload the clean shot as image one.
Keeping listings visible in search
eBay's search ranking rewards listings that convert, and photos drive click-through. A suppressed image lowers click-through, which drags the listing down.
Keep a master folder of compliant 1600 pixel images for every product variation, so a new listing never waits on a reshoot. Re-check older listings after platform policy updates, because the rules tighten over time.
Marketplace rules differ, so a photo that passes on one site can fail on another. Our comparison of Amazon product photography requirements UK sets out where the two platforms diverge.
The ONS publishes monthly retail industry data for the UK, including the online share of total sales, which is a sensible benchmark when you budget for photography.
Common questions
Do eBay listing photos need a white background?
Not always. A plain background helps the item stand out, and white is safest for new goods. Used items can sit on a neutral surface if nothing hides a flaw.
Can I add a watermark to stop other sellers copying my photos?
No. A watermark breaches eBay's image policy and can get the photo removed. Put your shop name in the description instead.
How many photos can one eBay listing carry?
Most listings allow up to 24 images at no extra charge. Use the later ones to show labels and measurements.
Will phone photos pass eBay's requirements?
Yes, if the file is at least 500 pixels on the longest side and the item is clearly visible. A phone on a small tripod in daylight often beats a cheap light tent.