What to blur before posting on eBay

eBay photos have a different job from social posts. They have to show the item honestly, and buyers zoom in on every pixel. That makes it easy for personal details to slip through, and risky to blur the wrong thing.

By the BlurTap team · Updated October 31, 2026

eBay’s photo rules, briefly

eBay’s picture policy shapes how you should hide things:

• No added borders, text or artwork. Prefer a clean blur over a black bar with “REDACTED” on it, a sticker or a watermark.
• Photos must show the actual item (stock photos are only allowed in limited cases, such as new items in some categories), and must not misrepresent its condition.
• Size: at least 500 pixels on the longest side. Around 1600 pixels lets buyers zoom. Blurring doesn’t change the dimensions, so this only matters if you crop heavily.

Rules change, so check eBay’s current picture policy if you’re unsure.

Hide these

• Shipping labels and return addresses on the original box, especially when you sell “with original packaging”.
• Your face in reflections on watches, phones, screens, jewelry, chrome and glass. Product photography almost always catches the photographer.
• Personal data on the item: names engraved or written on it, asset tags from a previous employer, patient or account stickers.
• Screens that show accounts: when you photograph a powered-on phone, laptop or console to prove it works, check the lock screen and notifications for names, emails and messages.
• Documents in the shot: receipts and warranty cards often show a name, address and part of a card number. Blur everything except the date and store if you want to prove purchase.
• Background clutter such as family photos, mail and kids in the next room.

Never hide these

• Scratches, dents, stains, cracks, wear and missing parts.
• Brand marks, model numbers and labels that identify what the item is.
• Anything a buyer would reasonably expect to see before paying.

If an item doesn’t match its photos, the buyer can open a return under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee. Blurring a flaw is the fastest way to lose a sale after it happens.

Serial numbers, codes and authentication

For electronics, the usual approach is to show part of the serial number and give the rest on request. Never show codes that can be redeemed or activated, such as unused license keys, gift card numbers or game download codes. For items that go through eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee (some watches, sneakers, handbags and trading cards), don’t blur tags, stitching, serials or holograms. The authenticator and the buyer need them.

Vehicles and parts

Blur license plates and anything in the cabin with your name or address on it (registration in the glovebox, parking permits, toll tags). The VIN is part of the vehicle listing anyway. For parts pulled from a car, check the background for the rest of the car’s plate. More in our license plate guide.

Workflow

1. Photograph the item on a plain background, from every angle, including flaws.
2. Run the set through BlurTap to blur faces, labels, plates and addresses and strip location in one go. For a single photo on a computer, use the free face blur tool.
3. Check each photo once at full zoom: is the item fully visible and honest? Is everything personal gone?
4. Upload to eBay.

Selling locally too? Read the Facebook Marketplace guide.