In this article
	Creating a valid user ID Invalid characters and elements Creating eBay Store names

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

When you register on eBay, you’ll be asked to choose a user ID. To prevent confusion for other members, you must wait at least 30 days before changing your user ID. After this time, you can change your user ID but only once in a 30-day period.

Creating a valid user ID

You sign in to eBay with your user ID, so choose an ID that you like and will remember. Since other members will see your user ID, we recommend you not include your real name or other personal information in your user ID.

Valid user IDs must be at least six characters in length and can contain the following elements:

• Lowercase letters (a-z)

• Numbers (0-9)

• Hyphens (-)

• Underscores (_)

Invalid characters and elements

User IDs can’t contain:

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

• Elements that imply an email address or Web address including but not limited to .com, .net, .org, .edu, or any variation (for example, _com or -com). However, your user ID can contain an element of an email address or Web address that identifies you or your brand. For example, if your Web address is xyz.com you can use xyz as an element of your user ID.

• Consecutive underscores.

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

• 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 violate our rules on profanity.

• The same user ID as another member.

• A user ID that is similar to the name of an eBay Store.

• A term that could be confused with someone else’s trademark or brand (for example, CocaColaSeller).

Creating eBay Store names

Store names are another form of identification on eBay. You have more flexibility in creating eBay Store names. For example, spaces and symbols (such as &) are allowed in store names. However, store names must otherwise follow the same guidelines and restrictions as other user IDs.