The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Facebook has launched a new feature called Marketplace that lets you buy and sell stuff with other Facebook folks living near you. With Facebook having over 1.7 billion users worldwide, the potential for this new shopping option could be very promising.
Using Marketplace
Facebook’s updated iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android apps now have a storefront icon in the bottom menu, which is where you’ll find Marketplace.
Marketplace is much like Craig’s List with people buying and selling goods locally. But instead of going to a website, you can just use your Facebook app to buy and sell items. You learn a little about the seller from Facebook and may see items sold by your friends.
Marketplace isn’t quite like eBay either. There are no deadlines or posted bids, sellers and buyers aren’t rated, and you arrange for payment and delivery of the item directly with the seller. Facebook doesn’t get involved in this part of the deal.
This video introduced Marketplace:
Buying on Marketplace
Marketplace is found in the Facebook app on iPhone/iPad and Android. Tap on the Marketplace icon to see items being sold by people in your general area, who may or may not be Facebook friends with you.
[note]This Marketplace icon takes the place of the Messenger icon. Look for the Messenger icon in the upper left corner of the screen in the Facebook app.
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You’ll see photos of the items as well as prices. Tap on the photo to find out more information about items being sold.
Listings include a photo, price, and a (usually short) description of the item. The seller’s location is shown generally on a map and you can see an abbreviate Facebook profile, including when they joined Facebook. You can make an offer or message the seller.
Expect to find everything from cars to clothes to phones to furniture. You can search by keyword or by category by tapping the file folder icon in the menu bar at the top of the page.
You can hide and/or report an item within the Facebook app if you find an inappropriate item being sold. (More on that below.)
[tip] Be sure to check prices on other sites before shopping on Marketplace. I saw a pair of headphones that looked appealing, until I checked Amazon and found them for $50 cheaper. [/tip]
Selling on Marketplace
Facebook has made selling on Marketplace easy. Snap a photo of your item, add a description, choose a category and confirm your location. Then post the item.
People who are interested in the listing can send you a Facebook message asking for more information. They can also send a bid on the item.
Availability
Facebook Marketplace is currently available to users age 18 and over via the Facebook app on iOS and Android in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The company plans to bring Marketplace to its website and to other countries, but is rolling it out slowly as the service had some major glitches when it launched.
Marketplace Roll Out – A Cautionary Tale
If you’ve every wondered why tech companies roll out new features slowly, Facebook Marketplace’s roll out answers that question. The initial launch of Marketplace didn’t go so well.
The filters in Marketplace didn’t work to block sale of illegal and unsavory goods. See, The Verge, Facebook apologizes for drugs, guns, and animals that appeared in Marketplace.
After Facebook apologized for the filter failure, it stopped the roll out of Marketplace until it corrected the issue.
While the filters may work better now, they aren’t perfect so don’t be surprised to find some inappropriate items being sold on Marketplace.
There’s a baby up for grabs on that Facebook marketplace for the small sum of £20 if anybody’s interested pic.twitter.com/fPrjhMGTsW
— Katie (@katstew2) October 14, 2016
Note that Facebook might want to change the wording of the category Baby & Kids…
Your Thoughts
Have you tried Facebook Marketplace yet? Did you find any items of interest? Have you seen any unusual items?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
I haven’t seen Marketplace yet. I suppose it will come to the UK eventually. We have a lot of local buying and sell groups that sell lots of things. One is for horse owners and they sell horses and gipsy caravans and equestrian related items. I’m a member of the Nikon group which buys and sells cameras and lenses. They’re not always very good bargains, though. My local newspaper is suffering, they don’t sell hardly any classified advertising space now. They have to develop the online advertising now which is very competitive. They haven’t given up on printed newspaper yet, though.
Hi Mike, Marketplace has come to the UK. Are you seeing the storefront icon in the Facebook app on your phone? If not, be sure to update the app and it should be there.
You may find cameras and lenses, but you’re wise to comparison shop. Not every item listed on Marketplace is a true bargain, though you may find some gems.
Good point. Local newspapers used classified ads as a source of income, but the Internet has destroyed that business. Facebook Marketplace will only add to the demise of classified ads.
Just started using Marketplace, but it needs improvement..I would like to be able to add or delete photos on one post as well as comment under each picture vs entire post.
Hi Debbie, Yes, Marketplace is in its early stage so isn’t filled with advanced features. Facebook is probably making it simple during the roll out to avoid glitches and help people learn to use it quickly.
You have some great ideas to improve Marketplace, Debbie. I hope Facebook adds these features in a future update to Marketplace.
i haven’t seen market place in Facebook app, i have try this now. thanks you for sharing very informative article.
Hi Sravya, Yes, Facebook Marketplace is available only in four countries and on the Facebook app for now. The company plans to expand to other countries and the website soon. I hope you enjoy Facebook Marketplace when it becomes available to you.
Hey Carolyn, I always use Olx for selling my any old stuff but after seeing this i really tried and it very easy and better than Olx. I already sold one stuff to im really happy for this new apps…
Hi Dastan, That’s great to hear you’re enjoying using Marketplace. I hope you continue to have success with it.
Thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation, Dastan.
Facebook is like craiglist these days, also i have been running my shopify ads there the result is amazing.
Hi Anita, Yes, Marketplace is a lot like Craigslist, but with perhaps a greater potential of the buyer and seller knowing each other.
That’s great you’ve had success with Facebook ads, Anita. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Hey Carolyn,
Facebook has evolved far beyond a digital hangout platform crowded our friends. Buying and selling albeit informally sprung up on the social media platform long ago. We have always believed in the fact that no feature or app will come into existence in the landscape of social media without the ulterior motive of monetization. Facebook Marketplace is certainly no exception. The calculation here is very simple. The greater the number of users of this app, more will be the possibility of exposure to its revenue-generating ads.
Through Marketplace, Facebook will be collecting very granular information about their users what kinds of products are getting sold quickly, what types of offers are making people buy, which process affects their buying behavior and much more. Facebook will certainly use it as an input in deciding its future customer targeting strategy. One of the great things about Facebook Marketplace is that not only will every one of our friends and fans see our posting, but it will show any Facebook users in your local region who enter the Marketplace. Eventually, thanks for your great support with your informative post.
With best regards,
Amar kumar
Hi Amar, Yes, Facebook Marketplace has plenty of potential for not only the users, but for Facebook as well. You make a good point that Facebook can gather data about Marketplace transactions to learn more about its users and then target ads accordingly.
Thanks for sharing your insights with us, Amar.
Hi Carolyn!
Never knew about this feature of facebook until today. I think it is a good initiative.
But don’t you think that ebay is bit safe with features like buyer protections.
Because this facebook feature looks more like olx, anyhow let see how it goes.
Regards
Hi Usman, Good point. Ebay has an excellent buyer protection program, and the reviews of the sellers and buyers is an additional level of protection. I haven’t heard about any complaints yet about people being disappointed in their purchases on Facebook. People who have concerns may want to buy and sell only with their friends.
Olx is a separate app so people may not discover it, while Facebook is an app many people already have.
Hi Carolyn!
thanks for such an informative post. Yes facebook plays an important role in online market place.Many company are now available on facebook now a days. that’s make facebook market place more effective. your post will be very helpful for those who are new in this online market place field.
keep posting this type of helpful post in future
with best regards
Hi Abir, Good point, many companies now are using Facebook as a marketplace. And Facebook’s new Marketplace is a way for individuals to use Facebook to buy and sell goods locally.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Thank you very much for taking the time to add your thoughts.
Hi! Yes I had & wasusing Marketplace & LOVED it but then the icon disappeared & I can’t seem to find it/get it back… Please help/advise as Facebook never replies to requests for help messages.
Thank you!
Amanda
Hi Amanda, I’m glad you’ve been a fan of Facebook Marketplace. I don’t know why it was deleted from your app. Make sure you have updated your Facebook app to the latest version, then look for the Marketplace icon. If you still can’t find it, delete the app then reload it back onto your phone. You should see the icon then.