eBay remains one of the strongest global resale and auction marketplaces in 2026.
While many ecommerce platforms focus on private-label dominance and new retail, eBay continues to lead in collectibles, refurbished goods, recommerce, auto parts, and consumer-to-consumer selling.
The latest available data (from 2024–2025 earnings reports and trailing twelve months results) shows:
- 134 million active buyers
- 18.3 million active sellers
- 2.1+ billion live listings
- ~$75 billion annual Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV)
- $10+ billion annual revenue
- $2.5+ billion quarterly revenue
This updated 2026 guide breaks down buyer trends, seller data, financial performance, traffic insights, competition analysis, and actionable strategies — with explanations after every major section so you can actually use the numbers to grow.
Also read about: Amazon Seller Statistics
eBay Active Buyers in 2026
eBay currently serves 134 million active buyers globally. After peaking during the pandemic at over 142 million buyers in 2022, the platform saw a normalization phase.
However, 2024–2026 shows stabilization and consistent engagement.
Active Buyers by Recent Quarters
| Quarter | Active Buyers |
|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 134 million |
| Q4 2024 | 133.5 million |
| Q3 2024 | 133 million |
| Q2 2024 | 132 million |
| Q1 2024 | 132 million |
What This Means
The platform is no longer in hyper-growth mode — but it is stable.
For sellers, this is good news:
- You’re not fighting explosive new competition.
- Buyer demand is steady.
- Returning users drive repeat purchases.
eBay buyers are highly intent-driven. Many visit the platform searching for specific products — vintage items, rare collectibles, refurbished electronics, or discounted brand-name goods.
That means optimized listings can convert extremely well.
Also read about: Sellerboard Review 2026: A Simple Tool to Grow Your Amazon Business
eBay Sellers in 2026
eBay has 18.3 million active sellers worldwide.
The platform peaked at around 25 million sellers in 2014 and saw a spike during the 2020 pandemic era. Since then, the marketplace has consolidated into more serious, professional sellers.
Sellers by Year
| Year | Sellers |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 18.3 million |
| 2024 | 18.1 million |
| 2022 | 18.3 million |
| 2021 | 19 million |
| 2020 | 20 million |
| 2014 | 25 million |
What This Means
The drop from 2020 levels removed many hobby sellers.
Today’s seller base is more professional, which creates:
- Higher average quality listings
- Better buyer experience
- Stronger competition in certain niches
But opportunity remains huge, especially in:
- Refurbished electronics
- Sneakers
- Luxury resale
- Auto parts
- Trading cards
- Niche collectibles
New sellers can still list up to 250 items per month for free before insertion fees apply (varies by region).
eBay Listings & Marketplace Size
There are currently over 2.1 billion live listings on eBay.
That massive inventory is one of the platform’s biggest strengths. Unlike traditional ecommerce stores, eBay doesn’t rely on centralized inventory — it scales through sellers.
Why This Matters
More listings mean:
- Better long-tail search visibility
- Higher probability buyers find niche items
- Strong SEO footprint across Google
For sellers, this means you can win by targeting specific keywords instead of competing broadly.
For example:
Instead of “laptop,” target:
- “Refurbished Dell Latitude 7490 i7 16GB RAM”
- “Vintage 1998 Pokémon holographic card PSA 9”
Specificity converts.
Mobile Usage & Demographics (2026 Trends)
Mobile continues to dominate eBay shopping behavior.
Approximately:
- 75% of users aged 18–34 shop via mobile
- 39% are aged 18–24
- 35.9% are aged 25–34
- 14%+ are over 55
Younger demographics use the app heavily for:
- Sneakers
- Tech gadgets
- Streetwear
- Gaming items
- Trading cards
Older demographics lean toward:
- Collectibles
- Antiques
- Replacement parts
- Memorabilia
Seller Strategy
If targeting Gen Z:
- Use strong images
- Offer fast shipping
- Use “Buy It Now”
- Enable offers
If targeting older buyers:
- Provide detailed descriptions
- Clear condition notes
- Authenticity reassurance
eBay Traffic & Global Reach
eBay operates in over 190 markets worldwide.
Traffic breakdown:
| Country | Traffic Share |
|---|---|
| United States | ~69% |
| Mexico | ~1.7% |
| UK | ~1.4% |
| Brazil | ~1.3% |
| Canada | ~1.2% |
Monthly visits exceed 700 million globally.
Organic search drives massive traffic — especially for high-intent keywords like:
- “ebay motors”
- “used iPhone ebay”
- “vintage watch auction”
Cross-Border Opportunity
eBay’s Global Shipping Program simplifies international selling.
In 2026, cross-border ecommerce continues growing. Sellers who enable international shipping often increase sales by 15–30%.
eBay Revenue Statistics 2026
eBay generates over $10 billion in annual revenue.
Annual Revenue Trend
| Year | Revenue |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $10.3 billion |
| 2023 | $10.1 billion |
| 2022 | $9.8 billion |
| 2021 | $10.8 billion |
| 2020 | $10.2 billion |
Quarterly revenue remains stable at around $2.5–$2.6 billion per quarter.
What This Means
Revenue stability signals:
- Strong retention
- Predictable fee structure
- Sustainable marketplace economics
For sellers, this means the platform is financially stable long-term.
Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) 2026
eBay’s annual GMV is approximately $74–75 billion.
GMV Trend
| Year | GMV |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $74.7 billion |
| 2023 | $73.2 billion |
| 2020 | $100 billion |
| 2019 | $85.5 billion |
While GMV hasn’t returned to pandemic highs, it remains solid and consistent.
High GMV Categories
Top-performing categories include:
- Electronics
- Auto parts
- Luxury handbags
- Sneakers
- Trading cards
- Refurbished tech
Collectibles have shown consistent growth due to authentication programs and grading partnerships.
Market Share vs Competitors (2026)
In the U.S. ecommerce market:
| Retailer | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Amazon | ~37% |
| Walmart | ~6% |
| Apple | ~3–4% |
| eBay | ~3% |
| Target | ~2% |
eBay holds roughly 3% of U.S. ecommerce market share.
While that may seem small compared to Amazon, eBay dominates in:
- Auctions
- Used goods
- Peer-to-peer selling
- Rare inventory
Unlike Amazon, eBay does not require inventory ownership or warehousing.
Seller Fees & Monetization in 2026
Typical fee structure:
- Final value fees: ~12–15% depending on category
- Promoted listings: 2–20% additional ad rate
- Insertion fees after free threshold
Promoted listings can increase visibility by up to 30% in competitive niches.
Strategy Tip
If margins allow:
- Use promoted listings for high-demand items.
- Avoid over-promoting low-margin items.
- Test ad rates gradually.
AI & Technology Integration (2026)
eBay continues integrating AI into:
- Dynamic pricing suggestions
- Listing recommendations
- Fraud detection
- Search personalization
Tools like Terapeak provide market insights to help sellers price competitively.
AI-driven listing assistance reduces time to create optimized listings.
This makes eBay more accessible for new sellers.
Opportunities for Buyers in 2026
Buyers benefit from:
- 20–50% discounts on used/refurbished items
- Negotiation through “Best Offer”
- Access to rare inventory
- Auction-based price discovery
Many buyers use eBay to:
- Flip items for profit
- Source inventory for resale
- Buy discontinued products
Timing purchases after Q4 (holiday season) often leads to deeper discounts.
Opportunities for Sellers in 2026
Sellers can:
- Start with minimal capital
- Test niches cheaply
- Scale through reinvestment
- Expand internationally
A realistic growth path:
- Start with 50–100 listings.
- Identify best-selling categories.
- Reinforce profitable niches.
- Introduce promoted listings strategically.
- Optimize titles for search.
Momentum builds with listing volume.
eBay Workforce & Operational Scale
eBay employs over 12,000 employees globally.
After separating from PayPal years ago, the company streamlined operations and focused purely on marketplace innovation.
Support infrastructure remains strong for:
- Seller disputes
- Fraud management
- Global compliance
- Payment processing
Future Outlook for eBay (2026 and Beyond)
Key trends shaping eBay’s future:
- Growth in recommerce (second-hand economy)
- Sustainability-driven resale
- AI-driven personalization
- Authentication expansion in luxury & collectibles
- Cross-border ecommerce growth
The resale economy is projected to grow faster than traditional retail.
eBay is positioned directly in that trend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many active buyers does eBay have in 2026?
eBay has approximately 134 million active buyers globally based on the latest quarterly data.
2. What is eBay’s annual GMV?
Annual GMV stands around $74–75 billion, reflecting stable marketplace volume.
3. How much revenue does eBay generate?
eBay generates over $10 billion annually, with quarterly revenue averaging $2.5–$2.6 billion.
4. How many sellers are on eBay?
There are approximately 18.3 million active sellers worldwide.
5. Is eBay still profitable for sellers?
Yes — especially in niche categories, collectibles, refurbished electronics, and auto parts. Strategic pricing and volume matter.
Also Read:
Final Takeaway
eBay in 2026 is not a hyper-growth story — it’s a stable, mature, highly specialized marketplace.
It excels in:
- Resale
- Auctions
- Collectibles
- Cross-border trade
- Refurbished goods
With 134 million buyers and $75 billion in GMV, it remains one of the most powerful platforms for entrepreneurs who understand niche positioning.
If you track eBay statistics quarterly, adapt to category trends, and optimize listings strategically, the platform still offers substantial profit potential in 2026 and beyond.
Source: Business of Apps, Statista
