Whenever you conduct a search from anywhere on eBay, the Matching Categories box will display a list of up to three top-level categories that contain items matching your search query. Each top-level category will also show up to three sub-categories. All of these categories are ranked by the number of items found in each category.

When you click on one of the top-level categories, Matching Categories will then show all of the sub-categories that also have matching items. You can continue to narrow your search until there are no sub-categories left to display.

Top Questions about Search Results by Category

Q: Why are only three top-level categories shown? How can I see the rest?

A: The default mode of the Matching Categories box is to show up to three top-level categories and three sub-categories for each. These categories are ranked by the number of search results in each one in order to show the most relevant categories to your search.

If your top-level category of interest is not shown in the top three, you can click on the "See all categories" link to see the rest.

Q: What if fewer than three top-level categories are shown in Matching Categories?

A: The Matching Categories box will only show the top-level categories that contain items in your search. This may be as few as 1 or 2 categories or as many as 20+ categories, depending on the breadth of your search.

To see more categories, you might try a new search with fewer words, or you can use the "Browse all categories" link to choose a category and see all items without using a search word.

Q: What are the numbers in parentheses next to each category?

A: These numbers are the actual count of items found in each category. If the count is for a top-level category, for example, it will represent the sum of items in all categories underneath this top-level category.

As you click through multiple layers of categories and your search becomes more and more refined, these numbers will decrease.

Q: Once I narrow my search by categories, how can I back up to a higher-level category?

A: The search path at the top of the page (near the Basic Search box) shows the entire trail of categories that you have used to narrow your search.

To back up to any previous category, you can simply click on the category name in this list.

To run a new search regardless of category, start the new search from the Basic Search box, and be sure to UNCHECK the search "only in [category name]" box.

Q: What if I narrow my search down to a specific category but then want to change my search term to see more or different items in the same category?

A: You can start a new search from the Basic Search box, keeping the "only in" category box checked. This will perform a new search for items only within your current category location.

Or, you can click on the "Browse this category" link (top-right side of page) to browse all items in that category, without using a search term.