How Has eBay Been Using AI in Recent Years to Create A Competitive Advantage – And How Will its Latest Use of it in Sustainability Initiatives Create A Further Competitive Edge?
In 2025, more and more people are beginning to see AI as a buzzword – something that is used by companies to boost their image or market their products, without always delivering on their promises.
There are good grounds for this, of course. While AI has proven to be a transformative force across various industries, its overuse in marketing can easily lead to scepticism, which is why it’s essential to look behind the scenes and spot which companies are using it quietly.
These are the companies most likely to be genuinely innovative, as they use AI not to be “showy”, but to create real value in the operations of the business as a whole. Ebay is one of these companies.
Over the last few years, Ebay has been using AI for a variety of purposes, with the main purpose being to distinguish itself from the vast array of competitors that have entered the fold.
This isn’t exactly new. Ebay is the world’s leading e-commerce company, but the use of AI can be seen across the internet. In the iGaming scene, for instance, AI has been instrumental in enhancing user experiences and improving responsible gambling measures, with platforms like Pink Casino – a leading online casino in the UK – employing the technology to deliver personalised, on-site messages tailored to each player’s risk profile.
In this case, AI has become a vital tool to distinguish leading, innovative platforms from those that fail to make the user experience a top priority – something which is especially important since the world of iGaming is reaching new heights, and more competitors are added into the mix.
Ebay is just one player in one industry seeing the benefits of AI, but it is an important one, and really, it’s the way in which it’s being used that is creating a competitive advantage.
How is Ebay Using AI?
Perhaps the key way eBay has been using AI is through personalised search and recommendation algorithms. By analysing user behaviour and purchase history, eBay’s AI has been delivering highly targeted product suggestions, making it easier than ever for users to find what they’re looking for.
Another major application here is image recognition technology. Through advanced tools, the platform now allows users to upload photos of an item they want to buy, and the AI will search its catalogue to find visually similar items for sale. This not only improves search efficiency, but also enhances user satisfaction simply by minimising the time and effort needed to hunt down specific products.
Ebay’s Sustainability Initiatives
In line with shopping and consumer habits, Ebay has also been setting itself apart through its sustainability initiatives. This is mainly being done by leveraging AI to promote re-commerce – the buying and selling of pre-owned goods – as a true mainstream alternative to buying new. Earlier this year, eBay partnered with Obi Mabuse to encourage a clearout challenge, urging customers to resell their unwanted items rather than discard them.
Through sophisticated AI tools, eBay can better connect buyers with second-hand items that match their preferences, with ML algorithms being used to optimise the visibility of pre-loved products and encourage customers to choose used goods over new ones.
Outside of shopping, eBay has also been using AI to track and highlight their environmental impact, monitoring energy usage across their operations and even predicting future emissions based on their current operational trends.
This is perhaps one of the most significant ways the company is distinguishing itself from its competitors. AI will always be a tool that works to further engage and attract shoppers, but it should also be a tool for good. As eBay continues to refine its tech and shift itself into a greener light, it will not only strengthen its brand reputation but also align itself with the values of a whole new generation of consumers.
