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Creating a user ID

A user ID is the unique name that 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 sign into your eBay account with your user ID and password. When you register, choose a user ID that you like and that you'll remember.

Things to consider when creating a user ID:

  • Create a user ID that contains letters, numbers, and/or special characters and is at least four characters long.

  • Use a user ID that tells members something about your business, but is not related to personal information (for example, your name, your birthday, or the town you live in).

  • Some examples: school_teacher_trains, teddybear4kids, fashion_design_4_women

Things that you can’t include in a user ID:

  • Spaces or tabs.

  • Obscene or profane words.

  • Email addresses or Web address (for example, xyz.com), or representations of email addresses or Web addresses (for example, xyz_com).

  • Another member’s user ID or another seller’s eBay Store name.

  • The @, &, ', (, ), <, or > character.

  • Consecutive underscores __ .

  • An underscore _, dash -, or period . at the beginning of a user ID.

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

  • The letter e followed by numbers.

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.