eBay Inc. is a global e-commerce company that operates an online marketplace connecting individual consumers and businesses for the sale and purchase of new, used and collectible goods. Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar and headquartered in San Jose, California, eBay grew from its early auction-style site into a diversified platform offering both auction-format listings and fixed-price "Buy It Now" transactions. The company completed an initial public offering in the late 1990s and has since evolved its platform and services to support a broad range of product categories and buyer preferences.
The company's core business centers on its marketplace platform, which provides listing, search and transaction capabilities for millions of items across consumer goods, electronics, fashion, collectibles and more. In addition to basic buyer and seller listings, eBay offers seller tools and services — including listing management, shipping solutions, seller analytics, payment processing through its managed payments program, buyer protection policies, and promoted listings advertising — designed to streamline commerce and improve trust and convenience on the platform. eBay also develops mobile applications and web-based tools to support transactions and customer engagement around the world.
eBay serves a global audience with significant activity in North America, Europe and the Asia‑Pacific region, facilitating cross-border trade through localized sites and international shipping options. Leadership priorities in recent years have emphasized improving the buyer and seller experience, expanding managed payments, enhancing marketplace trust through measures such as authentication services for high-value items, and investing in technology and advertising products to drive engagement. Jamie Iannone has led the company as chief executive officer, overseeing strategic initiatives to modernize the platform and grow transactions across both consumer and professional seller segments.