eBay’s User Agreement Update: What Sellers Using Treecat Need to Know

On January 21, 2026, eBay updated its User Agreement, with changes taking effect on February 20, 2026. Many sellers received an email titled “Important User Agreement Update,” and understandably had questions, especially because the update references AI, bots, and automation.

If you use Treecat to manage your eBay listings, inventory, or crosslisting, here’s the most important takeaway upfront:

Treecat is fully compliant with eBay’s User Agreement and operates through official eBay APIs as part of eBay’s Developer Network.

This update does not change how you use Treecat.

Let’s break down what eBay actually changed, what it means for sellers, and why Treecat users can continue selling with confidence.

What Changed in eBay’s User Agreement?

eBay’s update clarified several areas of its existing policies, including:

• An expanded anti-scraping prohibition, explicitly including bots used for AI or large language models (LLMs)
• Clarifications to the arbitration and class action waiver
• Updated procedures and addresses for dispute resolution and arbitration

While the email mentions AI prominently, the change is less about banning AI itself and more about how eBay’s platform is accessed.

What eBay Is Restricting

Under the updated agreement, eBay is restricting:

• Browser-based bots or AI agents that log into eBay and operate the site’s interface
• Automation tools that simulate human behavior through the browser
• End-to-end workflows that create listings, place bids, or complete purchases without human review
• Scraping or data extraction tools that bypass eBay’s official systems

In simple terms:
Tools that “drive” eBay through the browser without eBay’s permission are not allowed.

What eBay Still Allows (and Supports)

Importantly, eBay continues to support:

• Official API-based integrations
• Approved third-party listing and inventory tools
• Seller-controlled workflows
• AI used to assist sellers, not replace them

This distinction matters.

eBay is regulating access methods, not banning automation or AI altogether.

How Treecat Fits Into This Update

Treecat was built from day one to operate within platform rules, not around them.

• Treecat uses official eBay APIs
• Treecat is part of eBay’s Developer Network
• Treecat does not use browser bots, scraping, or UI-driven automation
• All listing, syncing, delisting, and relisting actions are performed through approved integrations

That means Treecat workflows remain fully compliant with eBay’s updated User Agreement.

Nothing about this update changes how Treecat works today.

Can Sellers Still Use AI With eBay?

Yes, when used appropriately.

eBay’s update does not prevent sellers from:

• Using AI to write item descriptions
• Using AI to organize inventory data
• Preparing listings offline before submission
• Using compliant software tools to publish and manage listings

The key requirement is that the final interaction with eBay happens through approved systems or with direct seller involvement.

Treecat’s approach: AI-assisted, seller-controlled, API-based automation, fits squarely within these guidelines.

Why This Update Actually Reinforces Treecat’s Philosophy

At Treecat, we’ve always positioned AI as an assistant, not a replacement for sellers. That philosophy aligns exactly with where platforms like eBay are drawing the line.

Sellers want:

• Less busywork
• Faster listing
• Better inventory accuracy
• Fewer platform risks

Treecat delivers those benefits without putting your account at risk.

The Bottom Line for Treecat Users

If you use Treecat with eBay:

• You do not need to stop using Treecat
• You do not need to change your workflows
• You remain compliant with eBay’s policies

We continuously monitor marketplace updates so you don’t have to, and we design Treecat to evolve with platforms, not against them.

If you ever have questions about compliance, automation, or how Treecat works behind the scenes, our team is always here to help.

Selling should feel calmer, not riskier.
That’s exactly why Treecat exists.

🐾