Posting Policy
Open Bazaar is a free marketplace for honest buyers and sellers. These rules keep it safe, trustworthy, and useful for everyone in your community.
Last updated: May 2026 · Applies to all listings on open-bazaar.com
TL;DR
- • Post only real items you own and genuinely intend to sell.
- • Write an honest, clear description with accurate photos.
- • Don't post illegal, dangerous, or prohibited content.
- • One listing per item — no duplicates, no spam.
- • Violations result in removal, account suspension, or legal referral.
What You Can Post
- Genuine items you own and intend to sell, swap, or give away
- Services you personally offer (tutoring, repairs, cleaning, etc.)
- Job vacancies from legitimate employers and contractors
- Real estate properties you own or are authorised to list
- Pets and animals from responsible home breeders (with welfare details)
- Agricultural produce, equipment, and farm-related goods
- New or used goods in the condition described (New / Used / Refurbished)
Prohibited Content
The following are strictly prohibited and will be removed immediately. Repeat violations will result in permanent account suspension and, where required by law, referral to law enforcement.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives
e.g. Knives designed as weapons, air guns, fireworks
Illegal drugs, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia
Counterfeit, fake, or replica branded goods
e.g. Fake handbags, duplicate electronics, pirated software
Stolen property of any kind
Adult content, escort services, or sexual services
Human trafficking, bonded labour, or exploitation
Endangered or protected wildlife and their parts
e.g. CITES-protected species, ivory, exotic pelts
Prescription medicines, controlled substances, or medical devices requiring a license
Alcohol and tobacco products (direct B2C retail without license)
Lottery tickets, gambling products, or Ponzi scheme offers
Personal data, login credentials, or financial instruments
e.g. Credit card numbers, social media accounts, hacked OTPs
MLM / pyramid scheme recruitment posts
Listings that are spam, duplicates, or test posts
Content that is hateful, discriminatory, or violates Indian law (IT Act, IPC)
Listing Quality Standards
Every listing must meet minimum quality thresholds to go live. These are enforced automatically during posting and by our moderation team.
Title
Must be 3–15 words and 10–80 characters. Describe the item specifically — "iPhone 13 128GB Blue Unlocked" is good; "SELLING FAST!!!" is not.
Description
Minimum 20 words and 100 characters. Include condition, key features, reason for selling, and any defects. Accurate descriptions lead to better buyers.
Photos
At least 1 photo is required. Photos must be of the actual item — no stock images, no watermarked promotional images, no screenshots of other listings. Minimum 300×300 px.
Price
Must reflect market reality. Prices flagged as anomalous (e.g. ₹500 for a car) will be held for manual review before going live.
Contact & Location
Your phone number must be a valid Indian mobile number. Select the area where the item is actually located — mismatched locations reduce buyer trust.
Category-Specific Rules
These additional rules apply on top of the general policy.
Vehicles
- › Vehicle must be in your name or you must have documented authorisation from the owner.
- › Include current RC book details (registration number, model year) in the description.
- › Clearly state if the vehicle has any active loan, insurance lapse, or pending challan.
- › Commercial vehicle listings must state seating/payload capacity and permit type.
Real Estate
- › List only properties you own, co-own, or are a registered broker/agent for.
- › Clearly state whether the price is "per sq.ft", total price, or monthly rent.
- › Mention RERA registration number for under-construction projects (mandatory).
- › Do not post the same property multiple times; edit your existing ad instead.
Jobs
- › No job placement fees — listing any job that requires candidates to pay a fee is prohibited.
- › Job title, company name, and work location must be accurate and not misleading.
- › Multi-level marketing (MLM) or "work from home with unlimited income" posts are banned.
- › Salary must be either a specific range or "As per industry standards" — vague "high income" claims are not allowed.
Services
- › You must be the actual service provider — lead generation listings are not permitted.
- › Regulated services (doctors, lawyers, financial advisors) must include relevant licence numbers.
- › Service area should be clearly stated; do not use a single listing to cover all of India.
Pets
- › No wildlife, exotic species, or animals protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
- › Describe the animal's age, breed, vaccinations, and health status accurately.
- › Include at least 2 clear, recent photos of the actual animal being sold.
- › Free rehoming listings must include a brief backstory — anonymous "free puppy" ads may be removed.
Electronics
- › State whether the item is under manufacturer warranty, extended warranty, or out of warranty.
- › Include the original IMEI/serial number for phones and laptops in the description.
- › Clearly mention any damage, faults, or missing accessories.
Posting Limits
| Account type | Daily limit | Photos per ad |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (unverified) | 5 ads per 24 hours | Up to 10 |
| Verified | 20 ads per 24 hours | Up to 10 |
Posting the same item twice within 24 hours counts as a duplicate and will be rejected automatically. Verify your account to unlock higher limits.
How Moderation Works
Automatic checks
Every listing is screened in real time for title quality, description length, image count, and price reasonableness before it is created.
Smart routing
Listings with price anomalies or category flags are placed in "Pending Review" rather than going live immediately. This usually resolves within a few hours.
Community reports
Any user can flag a listing. Our team reviews all reports within 24 hours. Frivolous reports are dismissed; genuine violations result in removal.
Admin review
Our team manually reviews flagged, reported, and randomly sampled listings. We may contact you for clarification before taking action.
Enforcement
First violation: warning + listing removal. Repeated violations: temporary or permanent account suspension. Illegal content: referral to authorities.
Appeals & Disputes
If your listing was removed or your account was suspended and you believe this was in error, you can appeal by emailing us at appeals@open-bazaar.com with:
- › Your registered email or phone number
- › The listing title and ID (visible in your "My Ads" page)
- › A brief explanation of why you believe the removal was incorrect
- › Any supporting evidence (receipts, ownership docs, etc.)
We aim to respond to all appeals within 2 business days.