A user ID is the unique name you use to identify yourself on eBay and can be seen by all eBay users. Your user ID is displayed when you buy or sell on eBay or communicate with other eBay members. However, other users won't be able to see your real name and other personal information.

You use your user ID and password to sign into eBay. When you register, choose a user ID that you like and that you'll remember. For example:

• You might use words identifying your favourite collecting area, your business, or your occupation.

• You could refer to your hometown and call yourself camberwell_beauty.

• You can refer to your own sense of style and choose Del_Boy303.

Keep in mind that your user ID is a valuable asset on eBay, like your feedback score. Buyers and sellers will recognise you by your user ID, so it's a good idea to choose one that you'll want to use for the long term.

Remember that user IDs can contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and/or some symbols, and must be at least two characters long. The most secure user IDs contain a combination of these.

Using a user ID that is similar to your email address (e.g. jsmith123 / jsmith123@email.com) can make it easier to guess your email address, so we recommend you make your user ID different.

What you can’t include in a user ID

The following list includes characters and elements that you cannot include in a user ID:

• The @, &, ‘, (, ), <, or > characters.

• Spaces or tabs.
  Tip: You can use a hyphen instead of a space.

• Elements that imply an email address or Web address (for example, xyz.com), including but not limited to .com, .net, .org, .edu, or any variation of such (for example, _com or -com). Your user ID can, however, contain an element of an email address or Web address (URL) that, when viewed outside the context of the email address or Web address, identifies you or your brand (for example, xyz).

• Consecutive underscores __.

• An underscore _, hyphen -, or period . at the beginning of a user ID (for example, -dollcollector).

• The word eBay (only eBay employees can use the word eBay in their user IDs).

• The letter e followed by numbers.

• Obscene or profane words that breach eBay's guidelines. See eBay’s rules on profanity.

• The same user ID as another seller or similar to an eBay Shop name.

• A term that is similar to, or might be confused with, a third-party's trademark or brand (for example, CocaColaSeller).

Note: If you received the message You have entered a user ID that is not allowed, you may have included a character that is not allowed in a user ID.

You can only change your user ID once in a 30-day period. This is to prevent confusion for other eBay members.

About Creating eBay Shop Names

Shop names are another form of identification on eBay. More flexibility is possible in creating Shop names. For example, spaces are allowed in Shop names, as are symbols such as &; however, eBay Shop names must otherwise follow the same guidelines and restrictions as eBay user IDs.