eBay Alerts: Creating Powerful Searches


Mastering eBay Search Operators

Choosing a search that’s too broad might flood your alerts with items you’re not interested in. With advanced search operators, you can create precise, powerful searches on Dealerts, ensuring you find exactly what you you are looking as quickly as possible. Plus you can save money 💰 by combining search terms! Here’s how to craft searches that deliver the best results. 🚀


Start with a broad search term to get a sense of the available listings.

  • Usage: iPhone
  • Description: Returns all listings containing the keyword.
  • Tip: Start with a broad term to gauge the overall availability of items.

Refine your search by including multiple options

  • Usage: iPhone (15,16)
  • Description: Searches for listings containing either 15 or 16 along with the main keyword.
  • Example: iPhone (15,16) will find iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 models.
  • Note: Instead of creating multiple searches like Iphone 15 and iPhone 16 you can combine these into one!

Exclusion Filters

Eliminate unwanted items by excluding specific terms from your search.

  • Usage: iPhone -(Pro,Max)
  • Description: Excludes specified terms from results.
  • Example: iPhone -(Pro,Max) will show listings for standard iPhones but exclude Pro and Max models.

Combined Operations

Refine searches even further by combining multiple filters and conditions.

  • Usage: iPhone (15,16) -(Pro)
  • Description: Includes specified terms while excluding others.
  • Example: iPhone (15,16) -(Pro) will find iPhone 15 and 16 models but exclude Pro versions.

Advanced Example

Refine searches even further by combining multiple filters and conditions.

  • Usage: iPhone (15,16) -(Pro,Max) +unlocked
  • Description: Adds additional filters like condition or features.
  • Example: iPhone (15,16) -(Pro,Max) +unlocked will only alert on unlocked iPhone 15 and 16 models, excluding Pro and Max versions.

Key eBay Search Operators

Master these operators to build more efficient and accurate searches.
These search operators will give you the flexibility to craft powerful and precise queries, ensuring you find exactly what you’re looking for on eBay.


Operator Description Example Returns
Space AND logic iPhone case Has both “iPhone” and “case”
( ) OR logic iPhone (15,16) Has “iPhone” and “15” or “16”
" " Exact phrase "iPhone case" Has exact “iPhone case”
- Exclude term iPhone -Pro Has “iPhone” without “Pro”
-( ) Exclude multiple iPhone -(Pro,Max) Has “iPhone” without “Pro”/“Max”
@ Min terms match @1 iPhone Android Has at least 1 of the terms
+ AND logic iPhone +case Has both “iPhone” and “case”

Pro Tips for Effective eBay Searches

  1. Be Specific: Use precise and detailed keywords to narrow down irrelevant results.
  2. Utilize Exact Matches: Enclose specific phrases in quotation marks for exact matches.
  3. Combine Operators: Experiment with different combinations of operators to refine your search and get the best results. You can do this using the Dealerts Test feature found by left swiping on a keyword.
  4. Save Searches in Dealerts: Save your searches to automate alerts and stay ahead in the hunt for the best deals. 🚀

Feel freel to click on Email Us in the Dealerts settings if you need help!