I'm so upset about these sponsored links, they are really

taking a big chunk out of my business. If this continues much longer, I'll be out of business on ebay and then where will the fleas go that are on my back?

The words and phrases I have seen on this forum, I agree with 100%. "Insane". "Madness". Can you imagine if Ebay put a full page advertisement in a local newspaper and when it was published, they found a strip at the bottom of their own ad that said "Also try these other sales sites" and listed Craigslist and other online auction sites? Ebay's management would all tear ligaments in their arms and elbows from grabbing the phones so fast to call their lawyers! This idea that Ebay forces my auctions to have advertisements and LINKS to people who sell THE EXACT SAME PRODUCT I AM SELLING ON THE SAID AUCTION...is INSANE! What nerve!

The problem is, people put up with this idiocy. I called Ebay and of course, the first thing the "customer service" person told me is they have had no complaints about it...I was the first. So they begin with an obvious lie. The answer is to quit using Ebay. I told them I'd give them 30 days to change the policy then I'll be gone. And I'll do it. If others did the same, they'd change tomorrow. But nobody will so I guess Ebay users get what they deserve.

I'm on the phone right now with Ebay asking them what's going on.  So far the agent I'm talking to seems to be on our side.  More to come.

Talked with someone else.  She said that she's sending an email to management and the site design people about this along with my arguments, google hits, and google search parameters that all show that this is a bad idea.  I won't get a response in a day, couple days, or a week; but the ball is rolling.  Here's to the hope that sponsored links are put to a stop.

I recently discovered this sneaky addition too!

Outrageous! We're paying Ebay for them to add sponsored ads for RELATED products on our auction pages!

They recently made it illegal for sellers to add links to our listings. Why? So that they could turn around & stick it to us by adding their own offsite sponsored ads that re-direct viewers to OFFLINE sites?

Sickening. And they never bothered to inform us of this change. I don't remember seeing an announcement.

You can not turn it off. Ebay policy states that they do not allow links, except theirs. This is about as crooked as you can get. I have cancelled my listing because Ebay linked my competitors on to my listing selling the exact item I paid to list. I am so done with these crooked liars. Don't bother calling Ebay. They lie at customer service too.