What Does MPN Mean on eBay?

When browsing through listings on eBay, you may have come across the term “MPN”. MPN stands for “Manufacturer Part Number” and serves as a unique product identifier. Manufacturers typically assign a unique MPN to each part or product they manufacture. 

Having an MPN makes it easier for sellers to maintain their inventory and to help buyers locate and purchase the correct parts. You’ll also notice that some eBay sellers may also include the MPN in their listing titles to make it easy for prospective buyers to search for the exact part they are seeking.

What Items Are Typically Listed With Manufacturer Part Numbers 

Many products have MPNs, especially spare parts. eBay has made it mandatory for sellers to include the MPN for certain product types. This includes business and industrial, cameras, cell phones and accessories, computers, tablets, networking, consumer electronics, musical instruments, sporting goods, and other types of equipment.

MPN is essential for both buyers and sellers, as it helps buyers locate the exact product or part they are seeking, which is especially important in products that require replacement parts. 

If Manufacturer Part Numbers didn’t exist, buyers on eBay would need to perform long search queries such as “1957 57 Cadillac Headlight Switch With Fog Light” and go through the listings one by one to find what they are looking for. 

Performing searches in this manner without an MPN can take up a lot of time, and there is no guarantee the buyer lands on the correct product. Therefore, having an MPN helps buyers to locate the exact part or product that they are looking for, without having to spend their time sifting through the search results to find the right one. 

Why Should eBay Sellers Include an MPN in Their Listings?

eBay sellers can benefit in multiple ways by including the MPN in their listings. Firstly, it boosts the listing’s visibility, both on eBay and on search engines such as Google and Bing.

This makes it easier for buyers to find the listing quickly and complete their purchase. Therefore, eBay sellers who include the MPN in their listings often enjoy higher sales conversion and a better search ranking. 

Secondly, having MPNs also offers an easy way for eBay sellers to manage their inventory and communicate with buyers. Buyers are also less likely to return an item as the MPN system eliminates the possibility of making incorrect purchases. 

By adding an MPN to eBay, it automatically links vital information such as brand name, size, color, weight, style name and any other specific details unique to that MPN included in the listing.

Benefits of Including the MPN in eBay Listings

As stated, including the MPN in the listing can lead to increased conversions and also allow for better reach. Here are several more benefits for sellers and buyers alike.

Increased Exposure & Improved Rankings 

Including the MPN not only ensures that the listing is shown when buyers search it but also improves the item’s placement on eBay, Google, and Bing when users search for it. 

Product Optimization 

An MPN helps provide a more accurate product search and helps prospective buyers quickly find what they are looking for without having to sort through irrelevant listings in the search results. 

Better Conversion Rate 

In addition to quickly finding the right product, adding the MPN also makes the listing more trustworthy, all of which boosts the conversion rate.

Faster Speed

By including the MPN in an eBay listing, the time it takes to complete a sale is comparatively faster than without it. That’s because it’s easier to search for and the details in the listing prove to be more trustworthy, thus, buyers are less hesitant in their purchasing decision and are able to complete their purchase faster. 

Trending Price Alert & Competitive Pricing 

When there is an MPN in the product listing, it can automatically alert sellers and buyers on trending prices. Whether it’s a drop in price for buyers in getting a good deal or an increase in price for sellers to maximize their profits. 

Improved Marketing

Listings with MPN are eligible for inclusion in eBay promotions, which means that there may be a higher chance that your product will be selected to be included in promotions.  

Fewer Returns & Complaints

Ensuring that buyers purchase the right part number by searching with an MPN reduces the chances of incorrect purchases. In essence, it helps buyers to correctly identify the product and not confuse it with another product.

This ultimately means that buyers are then less likely to return a product or complain about buying the wrong product. 

Tip: Include the MPN in the product title and description of your listing, as this helps buyers better identify the right type of part they are looking for. 

MPN vs Other Types of Part Number References

MPN is just one of many part number references that are used on eBay. We have summarized the differences between MPN and other part number references below.

MPN vs SKU

SKU stands for “Stock Keeping Unit” that vendors use to categorize inventory and identify stock (typically in a warehouse or distribution center) for internal purposes. This means they aren’t assigned by the manufacturer like an MPN.

MPN vs Model Number

Both MPN and model number are assigned by the manufacturer, the difference is that the MPN is unique to specific parts whereas the model number is the general number for the specific product or range. 

MPN vs UPC

UPC stands for “Universal Product Code”. It is primarily used in the United States and corresponds to the vertical bars pattern on product barcodes. They differ from MPN in that the MPN is assigned by the manufacturer, but UPC is assigned by Global Standards (GS1).

MPN vs ISBN

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a special product identifier used for books. The national ISBN registry offers these codes to book publishers who then apply them to their book products.

MPN vs GTIN

GTIN stands for Global Trade Item Number. It is the number code found underneath the vertical black bars on barcodes and is typically assigned by the brand, instead of the manufacturer (as opposed to MPN).

How to Find Products on eBay Using Manufacturer Part Numbers 

Performing eBay searches using Manufacturer Part Numbers is a straightforward process. If an item has an MPN, eBay sellers will list it in the title and/or the description and include it as the product identifier. The steps to searching on eBay using an MPN are described below.

1. Locate the search bar on the top of eBay’s homepage.
2. Type in your item name, followed by its MPN (you can also simply type in the MPN without any other description).
3. Browse the different listings that come up and click the ones that interest you.
4. Check the item description’s MPN field. If this MPN code matches the one you entered, you have found the product you are looking for.
5. Click the “Buy It Now” or “Add to Cart” button to purchase the product.