eBay Error: 240 The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy.

The "The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy" error occurs when a product listing on eBay contains prohibited content or violates eBay’s policies.
Home
|
Common Errors
|
eBay
|
The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy.

Error Description

The "The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy" error indicates that the listing has been flagged for containing content that violates eBay’s policies. This could include the use of prohibited words or phrases, misleading information, or other content that does not comply with eBay’s rules. Additionally, the seller's account might have restrictions or violations that prevent new listings or modifications.

Common Causes:

  1. Prohibited Words/Phrases: Use of words or phrases that are banned by eBay in the title or description.
  2. Misleading Information: Including false or misleading information about the product.
  3. Policy Violations: Violations of eBay’s listing policies, such as listing prohibited items or using inappropriate language.
  4. Restricted Account: Seller account restrictions or violations that prevent listing new items or modifying existing ones.
  5. Category Restrictions: Listing items in restricted categories without proper authorization or credentials.

Error Solution

To resolve the "The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy" error on eBay, follow these steps:

  1. Review eBay’s Policies:
    • Familiarize yourself with eBay’s listing policies and guidelines. Understand what constitutes prohibited content and ensure your listings comply with these rules.
    • Review eBay’s list of prohibited words and phrases to avoid using them in your title or description.
  2. Check Listing Content:
    • Access your eBay seller dashboard and navigate to the listing with the error. Review the title and description for any prohibited words or phrases.
    • Identify any content that might violate eBay’s policies.
  3. Remove or Modify Prohibited Content:
    • Edit the title and description to remove any prohibited words or phrases. Replace them with appropriate alternatives that comply with eBay’s policies.
    • Ensure that all information provided is accurate and not misleading.
  4. Check Account Status:
    • Review your eBay seller account for any restrictions or violations that might prevent listing or modifying items. Check for any messages or notifications from eBay regarding account status.
    • Resolve any account issues or violations to restore full listing capabilities.
  5. Re-categorize Listings:
    • Ensure that your items are listed in the correct categories. If your items fall into restricted categories, make sure you have the proper authorization or credentials to list them.
    • Re-categorize items if necessary to comply with eBay’s category-specific rules.
  6. Update Bulk Upload Files:
    • If using bulk upload tools, review your CSV or Excel files to ensure all titles and descriptions are compliant with eBay’s policies.
    • Use eBay’s bulk upload templates and validation tools to check for errors before submission.
  7. Manual Entry Checks:
    • For individual product listings, manually review and edit the titles and descriptions to ensure compliance with eBay’s policies. Double-check for any typographical errors or inappropriate content.
    • Ensure that all information is accurate and properly formatted.
  8. Save and Verify Changes:
    • After making the necessary adjustments, save the changes to the listing. Ensure that the new settings are reflected correctly in the eBay seller dashboard.
    • Verify that the error has been resolved and that the listing is active and compliant.
  9. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
    • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to ensure you are viewing the most recent version of your listing.
    • Try using an incognito or private browsing mode to rule out browser-specific problems.
  10. Contact eBay Support:
  • If you’ve tried all the above steps and still encounter issues, contact eBay support for assistance. Provide detailed information about the error and the steps you’ve taken to resolve it.
  • Engage with eBay seller forums and communities to seek advice from other sellers who might have faced similar issues.

Pro Tip

Advanced Strategies for Managing Compliance:

  1. Implement Compliance Management Tools:
    • Use compliance management tools to automate and streamline the process of ensuring your listings adhere to eBay’s policies. These tools can help flag prohibited content before listings go live.
    • Integrate these tools with your inventory management system to ensure seamless data synchronization and avoid conflicts.
  2. Standardize Compliance Procedures:
    • Develop standardized procedures for entering and verifying listing content to ensure consistency and compliance across all listings. Use predefined templates and workflows for compliance management.
    • Regularly update these procedures to reflect any changes in eBay’s policies or your own data management practices.
  3. Use Product Information Management (PIM) Systems:
    • Implement a PIM system to centralize and manage all product data, including titles and descriptions. PIM systems help ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistently formatted across all platforms.
    • Integrate your PIM system with eBay to synchronize data automatically and prevent errors.
  4. Conduct Regular Data Audits:
    • Perform regular audits of your product data to ensure titles and descriptions are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with eBay’s policies. Use audit reports to track compliance and address any recurring issues.
    • Schedule periodic audits to identify and correct any issues with listing content.
  5. Educate Your Team:
    • Train your team on best practices for managing listing content and ensuring compliance with eBay’s policies. Ensure they understand the importance of accurate data entry and following listing procedures.
    • Provide guidelines and checklists to help your team review and update titles and descriptions effectively.
  6. Monitor Competitor Listings:
    • Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage listing content within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy and ensure compliance.
    • Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.
  7. Optimize Bulk Editing Tools:
    • Use eBay’s bulk editing tools to update listing content for multiple listings simultaneously. Ensure that bulk updates are accurately configured and comply with platform guidelines.
    • Validate bulk editing files before uploading to minimize the risk of errors.
  8. Stay Updated with Platform Changes:
    • Regularly review eBay’s guidelines and updates regarding listing content management. Stay informed about any changes that might affect your listings.
    • Participate in eBay seller forums and communities to learn from other sellers and share best practices.
  9. Use Automation for Data Entry:
    • Implement automation tools to manage data entry processes related to listing content. Automation reduces the risk of manual errors and ensures that titles and descriptions are consistently accurate.
    • Tools like Zapier or Integromat can integrate with your e-commerce systems to automate listing content management tasks.
  10. Utilize Competitor Analysis:
    • Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage listing content within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy.
    • Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.

By following these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach to managing listing content, sellers can minimize the risk of "The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy" errors on eBay, ensuring accurate and compliant product listings. Proper management of listing content not only helps in preventing errors but also enhances overall visibility, searchability, and sales performance on the platform.

Get more out of your multichannel business the easy way with EasyChannel!

14-day free trial
No credit card needed!
Full access from day one
MacBook mockupiPhone mockup
Cookie Consent

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to enhance site navigation by storing "cookies" on your device. Cookies help us analyze site usage and assist in marketing products that can help you, providing you with a personalized experience. Your data or external website usage is never shared.

View our Privacy Policy for more information.
Cookie settings
Cookie Consent

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to enhance site navigation by storing "cookies" on your device. Cookies help us analyze site usage and assist in marketing products that can help you, providing you with a personalized experience. Your data or external website usage is never shared.

View our Privacy Policy for more information.