eBay Browse API vs Google Shopping for AI agents
eBay Browse API is eBay's Buy API for searching live eBay listings by keyword or category and fetching item details. Google's commerce developer tools are for sellers: Merchant API manages a merchant's own Merchant Center products, and UCP on Google lets merchants sell inside AI Mode in Search and Gemini.
The short answer
- eBay Browse API: Approved eBay partners who want live new and used eBay listings with affiliate tracking.
- Google Shopping: Merchants who want their products shown and sold in Google Shopping, AI Mode and Gemini, not developers who want to search products.
Side by side
| eBay Browse API | Google Shopping | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Live eBay listings by keyword and category (plus image search in some markets), and item details by item ID. | – |
| Returns | A subset of item details per search hit (more with the EXTENDED field group); full details come from getItem using the item ID. | – |
| Before the first call | An eBay developer account (sandbox is open to anyone); production use of the Buy APIs is for eBay partners and needs an application through the eBay Partner Network, approved by business model. | Merchant API needs a Merchant Center account and a Google Cloud project; UCP on Google is joined through a waitlist. |
| Acting on a result | Affiliate links through the eBay Partner Network (production apps must implement affiliate tracking); eBay member checkout via the separate checkout_session resource needs extra approval. | Nothing for outside agents; UCP checkout happens inside Google's own AI Mode and Gemini. |
| Coverage | 16 eBay marketplaces: AT, AU, BE, CA, CH, DE, ES, FR, GB, HK, IE, IT, NL, PL, SG and US (image search only in US, DE, UK and AU). | – |
| MCP server | No official server listed | – |
Where Openpath fits
Openpath has no products listed yet. Sellers can list a product on Openpath today, free, and agents will find it through the same search as jobs and businesses. Get listed.
Questions people ask
What do I need before I can use eBay Browse API?
An eBay developer account (sandbox is open to anyone); production use of the Buy APIs is for eBay partners and needs an application through the eBay Partner Network, approved by business model.
Is eBay Browse API free?
Its pages listed no free use when we read them on October 15, 2026.
Sources
Every line about another company comes from its own pages. Prices and terms change, so check the source before you rely on one.
eBay Browse API, read on October 15, 2026:
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/api-browse.html: “Using the Browse API, you can create a rich selection of items for your buyers to browse with keyword and category searches.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/api-browse.html: “For each item found, a subset of the item details is returned.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “The use of eBay’s Buy APIs in production is intended for eBay partners only.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “You must apply for production access through the eBay Partner Network.”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “Acceptance of applications is based on the proposed business model”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “Application must implement affiliate tracking details (needed for revenue share capability)”
- developer.ebay.com/api-docs/buy/static/buy-requirements.html: “To use the checkout_session resource, which supports eBay member checkout, you need approval.”
Google Shopping, read on October 15, 2026:
- developers.google.com/merchant/api/overview: “The Merchant API enables automation of account, product, and inventory management within Merchant Center”
- developers.google.com/merchant/ucp: “Adopt UCP to enable agentic actions on AI Mode in Google Search and Gemini, starting with direct buying.”
- developers.google.com/merchant/ucp: “You remain the Merchant of Record.”
- developers.google.com/merchant/ucp: “Join the waitlist”
- developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/overview: “The Custom Search JSON API is closed to new customers.”
- developers.google.com/custom-search/v1/overview: “Existing Custom Search JSON API customers have until January 1, 2027 to transition to an alternative solution.”