In the late 1990s, the idea of buying something from a stranger online and trusting they would send it, or pay you, felt impossible. eBay made it real. First recognized by The Webby Awards in 1999, it turned Beanie Babies into bidding wars and taught millions that the Internet could be a marketplace built on trust. Feedback Forum made reputation public. Buy It Now transformed auctions into everyday shopping. PayPal, a 2000 Webby Winner, made payments simple and safe long before “fintech” was a word. Viral listings, from haunted toasters to celebrity charity auctions, proved commerce could also be culture. In recent years, eBay has leaned into what made it iconic, becoming the go-to for sneakers, watches, collectibles, and refurbished goods as resale and circular commerce move to the center. Its systems became the blueprint for Airbnb, Etsy, and StockX. eBay taught the Internet how to trust, how to transact, and how to hustle.

NOTABLE WORK

ebay (1999)

ebay (2003)

eBay Seller Series – “The Pop-Up” Chicago (2024)

eBay President CEO Meg Whitman accepting the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the eBay community.

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The 30th Annual Webby Awards is Open

Earning a Webby Award can take your company to new heights, but only if you participate. Submit work in the 30th Annual Webby Awards by the Early Entry Deadline on Friday, October 24, 2025 for best pricing.