I still remember the first time I tried to add a video to an eBay listing. It was June 2022, and I was selling a refurbished Dyson vacuum I’d picked up at a garage sale for $35. I thought a quick 12-second clip showing the suction test would boost buyer confidence. Instead, I spent nearly 40 minutes battling upload errors, sideways video issues, and eBay’s strange rule that the video must be approved before it appears. That morning taught me two things: buyers love videos, and eBay doesn’t make the process as straightforward as it should be.
Since then, I’ve added well over 300 product videos—everything from shoes to small appliances to niche electronics—and learned exactly how to film, format, upload, and troubleshoot every video scenario on eBay. This guide is not theory. It’s every real lesson from every failed attempt, plus the workflow I now use to add videos in under two minutes.
Why eBay Videos Matter (And Why Most Sellers Still Skip Them)
Here’s where it gets interesting. When eBay rolled out video support, most sellers ignored it because the feature felt clunky, hidden, or unreliable. But the buyers didn’t ignore it. The first 30 days I experimented with video, my sell-through jumped noticeably—especially in categories like:
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Shoes (show condition clearly)
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Electronics (prove “tested and working”)
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Collectibles (movement, sound, or authenticity)
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Home appliances (demonstrate functionality)
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Clothing (texture, drape, color accuracy)
Anecdote #1: The $85 Camera That Sold in 14 Minutes
In March 2023, I listed a vintage Canon point-and-shoot that had visible wear. Photos alone didn’t feel convincing. I shot an 11-second clip: zoom, flash, battery door, shutter sound.
It sold in 14 minutes.
Without that clip? I’m convinced it would have sat for days.
Buyers trust what they can see—and video shows what photos can’t.
How To Add Video To eBay Listing (Desktop Method — The Most Reliable)
This is the method I use for 80% of my uploads.
Step 1: Go to Seller Hub → Create Listing → Single Listing
The video tool only appears in the newer listing flow. If you’re in the old interface, switch by clicking “Try the new listing tool.”
Step 2: Scroll to the Photos & Video Section
You’ll see:
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Add photos
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Add video
Click “Add video.”
Step 3: Upload Your Clip
Requirements (real ones—not the outdated ones floating online):
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Length: 5–60 seconds
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File type: MP4 or MOV
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Size: under ~150 MB
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Orientation: Horizontal preferred (vertical works but displays differently)
Step 4: Wait for eBay Approval
This is the part that confused me on my first 20 uploads.
Your video will not appear immediately.
eBay manually verifies content (yes, humans review them).
Approval time:
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Fastest: 2 minutes
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Slowest I’ve experienced: 12 hours
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Average: 8–15 minutes
Once approved, it appears in your listing automatically—no republishing needed.
Step 5: Check preview mode
Always check how the video appears to buyers. Sometimes the thumbnail is odd or the cropping is unexpected.
How To Add Video Using the eBay App (Fastest But Less Flexible)
Anecdote #2: The App Upload That Saved My Sale
In February 2024, a buyer messaged asking if the zipper on a leather jacket worked smoothly.
I filmed a quick 7-second clip on the eBay app and added it directly to the listing.
Buyer purchased within the hour.
Mobile workflow:
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Open the eBay app
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Go to Selling → Listings
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Edit existing listing or create new
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Tap the photo section
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Tap “Add video”
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Film directly or upload from camera roll
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Save changes
This method is amazing for:
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Quick updates
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Fixing buyer doubts
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Seller-initiated proof videos
But here’s the tricky part…
Mobile uploads fail more often when:
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You’re on weak WiFi
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File is too large
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Your phone compresses incorrectly
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Video orientation is vertical
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You try to add more than two videos at once
Keep your clips short and clean.
How To Add Video To eBay Listing Using Third-Party Tools
I’ve used at least five tools to handle video uploads, including:
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Closo
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Vendoo
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List Perfectly
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OneShop
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SellerAider
Each handles video differently. Some upload directly; others rely on eBay’s underlying API.
Closo handles video especially well because it compresses, formats, and pushes the file through the correct API endpoint—and I’ve had far fewer failures.
And it reduces relisting time dramatically:
I use Closo to automate crosslisting and relisting—it saves me about 3 hours weekly.
Common question I see: Why won’t my eBay video upload?
This is the most asked question in every seller group I’m in.
Here are the real causes—based on testing over 300 videos.
1. Wrong aspect ratio
Vertical works, but ultra-vertical (TikTok ratios) often fail.
2. Video too long
Over 60 seconds = auto-reject.
3. Video too large
150MB is the unofficial ceiling.
4. Using VPN
eBay hates VPN traffic for uploads.
5. Slow network
Upload freezes mid-way.
6. File type mismatch
HEIC videos from iPhones (rare but happens) fail automatically.
7. Seller Hub glitch
If you have multiple tabs open, the upload sometimes doesn’t “stick.”
How To Film Videos That Actually Boost Sell-Through
Anyone can upload a video.
But filming a useful one—that’s different.
After testing dozens of formats, here’s what works consistently.
Video Type 1: Demonstrate Functionality
Use for:
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Tools
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Kitchen appliances
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Electronics
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Toys
Show movement + sound.
Example:
For a blender: show it turning on for 2 seconds.
For a toy: show the light or sound effect.
Video Type 2: Condition Walkthrough
Perfect for:
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Shoes
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Bags
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Clothing
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Vintage items
Slow pan.
Top → bottom.
Front → back.
Zippers, straps, soles.
Video Type 3: “Ready to Ship” Proof
Buyers love seeing the item clean, packed, and ready.
I used this for a lot of my refurbished electronics to build trust.
Video Type 4: Scale Comparison
If it’s small or oddly shaped, place next to:
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Ruler
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Coin
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Water bottle
Buyers visually understand size instantly.
Anecdote #3: The Video That Prevented a Return
In July 2023, I sold a DeLonghi espresso maker.
Before shipping, I recorded a 9-second clip showing:
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Steam wand working
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Brew function
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Water tank secure
One week later the buyer wrote:
“Thanks for including the video. I would’ve opened a return otherwise.”
That single clip saved me a return, shipping cost, and a headache.
Two Honest Failures I Learned From
Failure #1: Uploading 4K Videos
Early 2023, I filmed a product in 4K and kept wondering why eBay rejected it every time.
Turns out the file was 480MB.
Solution:
Shoot at 1080p, 30fps. Perfect quality, easy upload.
Failure #2: Video With Background Music
I added a clip with Spotify playing quietly in the background.
Rejected. Twice.
eBay has strict content moderation.
Solution:
Film in silence or use natural item sounds.
How To Add Video To eBay Listing (Step-By-Step Summary)
Desktop:
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Seller Hub → New Listing
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Add video
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Upload MP4/MOV
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Wait for approval
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Check preview
Mobile:
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Edit listing in eBay app
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Tap photo section
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Add video
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Save
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Video appears after approval
Third-Party Tools:
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Upload via integrated workflow
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Auto-compression
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Fewer errors
People always ask me: Does adding video increase sales?
In my experience, yes.
Here are numbers from my own tracking:
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Shoes: +12% conversion
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Electronics: +18%
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Collectibles: +9%
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Clothing: +6%
Videos build trust.
Trust drives sales.
Advanced Tips Most Sellers Don’t Know
1. Use captions in your listing description
Example:
“Video included—see clip for zipper movement and sound.”
2. Add a callout photo that says “Video Included”
This boosts engagement.
3. Keep videos under 15 seconds
Best performance across categories.
4. Avoid shaky footage
Use:
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Tripod
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Phone stand
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Table edge
5. Bright lighting matters more than camera quality
I use a $29 Amazon LED panel.
Worth Reading
If you’re learning how to improve your eBay workflow beyond just how to add video to eBay listing, the Closo Seller Hub has deep guides on crosslisting, pricing automation, and delisting workflows—tools I use myself.
I also wrote a breakdown on improving resale photos that pairs perfectly with video strategy, and another guide on optimizing multi-platform listings so your products don’t underperform on Poshmark or Mercari.
Conclusion
Learning how to add video to eBay listing takes a little practice, but once you do it a few times, the workflow becomes natural. Videos boost trust, reduce buyer questions, lower return rates, and increase conversion—especially in categories where condition matters. I’ve made almost every mistake possible, from 4K uploads to rejected clips with background audio, but each one improved my process.
Today, I shoot short, clean, 10–15 second clips, upload through desktop or the app, and automate the rest of my workflow through Closo. It saves me time, reduces relisting errors, and helps my listings stand out in a marketplace where most sellers still rely on photos alone. Adding video isn’t optional anymore. It’s a competitive edge.
