When you search and browse for items, you get a list of results that includes a lot of information about each item. The search results page also has links and drop-down lists that allow you to sort or change the number of items that display. Understanding how the search results pages are organised will help you find items more efficiently.

You can get to the search results pages in two ways:

By searching: Find exactly what you are looking for by using descriptive keywords.
To search, type your words in the search box at the top of most eBay pages, and then click the Search button.

By browsing: Explore new and exciting possibilities by viewing categories.
To browse, just start on the eBay homepage by clicking a category. Continue clicking sub-categories to find what you want.

From the search results pages, click a title and the seller's listing page displays. Learn more about understanding an item listing page.

On the search results page you can:

• Refine your results to fine-tune your search using search options, preferences, and search commands to get more useful results.

• Customise your results pages to change how your search results display.

• See other helpful information including related searches and buying guides.

Note: To learn how to search for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, powersports vehicles, other vehicles, or vehicle parts and accessories, go to Searching on eBay Motors.

Refine your results

Start by entering your keywords and clicking the Search button at the top of most eBay pages. The search engine examines the words and brings up the best possible results.

Your results page shows:

• The number of results found and your keywords.

• A Save this search link. Your saved search will display in My eBay and you'll receive a daily email when new items are listed that match your search.

• Options for changing your view or changing your sort order.

  View your results as a list, a gallery, or snapshots. The default view depends on the category your results appear in.

  Sort order by default is Best Match. However, you can change the sort order to be by time or price.

• Refinement options on the left side of the page. These options vary depending on the item or category you are searching. For example, an action adventure DVD search may suggest selecting movies by genre, film rating and display format to allow you to fine-tune your search.

You can refine your results by doing any of the following:

• Adding keywords.

• Selecting individual options in the Refine Your Search section on the left side of the page.

• Selecting options from Choose more link.

• Selecting preferences on the left side of the page. These options include items listed with PayPal, completed listings, price, location and more.

Tip: Using search commands is another way you can use to make your searches more precise.

Customise results pages

You can change how your search results display to view the information you want to see, in the order and format that you want.

Your results are sorted by Best Match by default. Best Match takes into account your search words, seller information, and historic buyer behaviour for similar searches. Though eBay originally sets the order to Best Match, you can change the order of your results pages by time or price by changing the Sort by drop-down list.

Tip: If you want to see a particular sort order (like Time ending soonest) every time you log in, learn more about customising your results page.

Other helpful information on the results page

In addition to the results list, you may see links to information related to your searches.

• Buying guides: Related guides are supplemental information about items that match one or more of your keywords. For example, you may see a DVD player buying guide if you search for DVD player.

• Recently viewed items: We show you the last three items you viewed while shopping.

• eBay Shops: Shops with items that match your keywords. Shops highlight special offers, postage discounts, email newsletters, and other benefits for buyers.