This doesn't seem right or reasonable

[Number44]

I'm selling a dress, it's a topshop dress the same as Kate Middleton was once photographed wearing

So, in the title I put 'as worn by Kate middleton'

My listing has Bern deleted because of this

'Brand names/celebrity names that are not related to the item being sold are not permitted. The title is a place to state what an item actually is. Including other brand names results in a poor search experience. Keywords are often used for the purpose of gaining attention or diverting members to a listing are considered as search and browse manipulation and isn't permitted on eBay'

But if I saw someone wearing a dress and I liked it, of course I'd search for 'pink dress Kate middleton' etc

It just seems crap when eBay is full of crap, shite and bollocks that non paying or dishonst numpties bid on for fun and then back out of

I'm a bit put out really

Sorry my point, it doesn't seem like 'search manipulation' to me. Seems more like a clear, honest and sensible way to direct someone who is interested towards a specific dress that was popular because it was worn by someone famous

And it had loads of bids and no w those people will think I'm a scammer or liar

can you put Kate Middleton in the description? I guess a rival seller reported you for it.

I would also guess that this was a case of being reported by a rival. If the listing was accepted and went live then it's unlikely to be due to the actual words used.
Ebay does have a prohibited list and it won't allow items if they contain certain words.

I would however steer clear of using the term "as worn by Kate Middleton" as that sounds like the item actually once belonged to her. Put something along the lines of "Style also owned by" or "Style once worn by" instead.

You don't want to end up with a buyer who was also expecting a certificate of authenticity along with the dress and who then uses your description to open a not as described case

I'd be happy with 'a style made popular by [name of person]', if that were actually demonstrably true.

You are right about people backing out of bids. I'm really new to ebay and I have two shockers already.

I know you're not supposed to do this.

However there are currently 708 items in clothing/accessories which mention Kate Middleton in the title, and it predicts Kate Middleton when you start typing it, so I'd say you have a fair case to go back to them with.

i sold a blouse and put in title that it was a brand worn by Kate Middleton..no probs

because...she's not a brand name / label