On top of the difficult language often used in the eBay policies, enforcement is frequently random and inconsistent. I could write an entire article on why that is the case, but for now just accept that fact and let’s move on. You won’t find many people that will argue that point…

In the videos above I called the new eBay “classified ads” one of the GREATEST opportunities on the web right now…and I stand behind that statement despite some recent issues that have come up with some subscribers as well as my own ads that I’ve run.

The BIG issue on the table is this:

When using the eBay “classified ad” format are we allowed to put up ads that contain links to external websites?

If the answer is YES, then the potential is MASSIVE even if YOU DON’T HAVE A WEBSITE (i.e. affiliate marketing). If you don’t understand what I’m talking about in this paragraph go back to the top of this article and watch the video.

It would make sense for eBay to post a policy SOMEWHERE on this issue, but as of today there is no policy on this issue.

Consider the following facts and draw your own conclusions:

-The stated purpose of eBay “classified ads” is to generate leads – NOT to sell an item on eBay. If this confuses you watch the video at the top of this article.

-After I had a lengthy conversation (email) with a “Trust and Safety” representative at eBay he admitted that there is not yet a policy on this issue. He also admitted that they understand that classified ads are, in eBay’s own words, a “lead generation” tool and therefore should be allowed to contain links to outside websites in order to be of maximum value to the sellers (us) that use them.

-After a lengthy conversation with a different eBay “support” rep I was told point blank that links to external websites ARE ALLOWED in classified ads.

-I’ve corresponded with a total of five eBay reps on this issue now. Four of them have told me that “external links” and/or “email subscription forms” are allowed, and only one has told me that there isn’t a policy yet, but they don’t think it’s allowed.

-Of the thousands of readers of this newsletter I’ve heard back from TWO of you that say your classified ads were shut down for containing links to external websites. I also had one of my “classified ads” shut down but the cancellation message made no sense and I had an eBay rep tell me that it was shut down in error.

-Right now HUNDREDS of classified ads are running successfully on eBay WITH links to external websites as well as newsletter sign up forms posted RIGHT IN THE AD. This would clearly be a violation of eBay policy in a traditional auction listing, but since “classified ads” are specifically used as lead generation tools it only makes sense. Many of these ads have been up and running for 20 or 25 days. That’s plenty of time for eBay to “shut them down” if a violation is occurring.

-Real estate “classified ads” have been running on eBay for a VERY long time (years?) and nearly all of them contain links to multiple external websites. Savvy real estate agents are using classified ads as a powerful lead generation tool. Why give eBay a percentage of the sale when you can get a HUGE pool of prospects for the price of a classified ad?

-I’m hearing from many readers of this newsletter reporting SUCCESS with classified ads containing links to external websites. This includes affiliate links, lead generation, membership websites etc. These ads are running for WEEKS without any issue.

-The best I can tell about 95% of all classified ads that contain external links are allowed to run the full 30 days without issue. Since there are only about 1,500 non-real estate classified ads running at any given time it makes sense that eBay could shut them all down EASILY any time they wanted to so they must actually be okay with it.

So why are some classified ads shut down?

My theory:

EBay classified ads are fairly new and still very unfamiliar territory for 99.9% of all eBay users and eBay EMPLOYEES. Also, there are plenty of eBay users that I call “violation seekers” that are VERY familiar with the traditional rules on eBay. When these “violation seeking” surfers see a link to an external website within an eBay listing they immediately report what they think is a VIOLATION (this is a violation in a TRADITIONAL auction listing). Next the eBay representative receiving the reported “violation” has about 5 seconds to make a call and decide if the reported “violation” is truly a violation. If this eBay rep is unfamiliar with the new classified ad format or isn’t paying close attention they immediately shut down the auction.

My Conclusion and suggestion.

Experiment with classified ads! Until eBay gets its act together on this issue and puts out a specific policy I suggest we all GO FOR IT. If you are nervous about protecting your main selling account consider seeking the pre-approval of one of the eBay “live chat” reps before posting your ad. If the first one you talk to doesn’t give you a solid answer or doesn’t know, wait awhile and ask another one. I’ve spoken to two of them and they both agreed that external links are allowed.

Finally…

Tell me your experiences on this issue! You don’t have to tell the world your secrets, but tell us if it’s working for you or not! If you’ve heard from eBay on this issue let us know what they said. We are gathering facts that can help us all!

PLEASE Leave your comments and experiences with classified ads below.