Where to Find Facebook Marketplace on Your Device
Facebook Marketplace is a section built into Facebook where people buy and sell items locally. You reach it through the Facebook app or website — it is not a separate app you read.
On the Facebook mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap "Marketplace". On a computer, go to facebook.com, and you will see a storefront icon in the left sidebar — click it to enter Marketplace. The icon looks like a small shop window.
If you do not see Marketplace in either location, your account may be too new or your region may not support it yet. Facebook Marketplace is available in most countries but not all. You can also search "Facebook Marketplace" in your web browser to reach it directly at facebook.com/marketplace.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook Marketplace is accessed through the main Facebook app or website, not through a separate read.
- On mobile, find it in the menu (three lines); on a computer, click the storefront icon in the left sidebar.
- Your Facebook account must be at least a few days old and in a supported region to use Marketplace.
- When you buy or sell, Facebook collects information about your location, payment method, and what items you view or list.
- You can control some privacy settings, but Marketplace shares data with Facebook's parent company Meta and may show your activity to other users.
Browsing Items for Sale Near You
Once you open Marketplace, you see listings from people in your area. The distance shown next to each item tells you how far away the seller is. You can filter by category — like furniture, electronics, or clothing — by tapping or clicking the category buttons at the top.
Use the search bar to look for specific items. Type what you want, and Marketplace shows results sorted by how recently they were posted. You can also narrow results by price range, condition (new or used), and distance from your location. Tap or click on any listing to see larger photos, the full description, and the seller's name and profile picture.
Marketplace does not require you to message a seller or complete a purchase through Facebook itself. Many sellers list their phone number or email in the description so you can contact them directly. Others prefer to message through Facebook's Messenger app.
What Information Facebook Collects When You Use Marketplace
When you browse Marketplace, Facebook records which items you view, how long you look at them, and whether you save them to a list. If you search for something, that search is logged. Facebook also notes your location — either from your phone's GPS or from the address you provide on your profile.
If you message a seller or buyer, those messages are stored on Facebook's servers. If you complete a transaction, Facebook may collect information about the payment method you used, the item sold, and the price. Even if you pay the seller directly (by cash or another method outside Facebook), the platform still knows a transaction happened because you messaged about it.
Facebook also tracks whether you are logged in on other websites and apps. If a website has a Facebook pixel or Facebook login button, Facebook records that you visited, even if you do not click anything. This data helps Facebook build a profile of your interests and behavior, which it uses to show you targeted ads.
How Your Marketplace Activity Connects to Your Facebook Profile
Your Marketplace activity is tied to your Facebook account. Other users can see your name, profile picture, and any information you have made public on your profile when they view your listings or messages. If your profile says you live in a certain city or work at a certain company, buyers and sellers can see that.
You can control some of this by adjusting your privacy settings. Go to Settings, then Privacy, and choose who can see your profile information. However, your name and profile picture will always be visible to people you message or who message you on Marketplace — that is how the platform works.
If you list items for sale, your listings appear in search results and category pages. Anyone on Marketplace in your region can see what you are selling, even if they are not your Facebook friends. You cannot hide your listings from certain people unless you delete them entirely.
Listing Items for Sale and What Data You Share
To sell something, tap or click "Create New Listing" in Marketplace. You provide a title, description, category, price, and photos. You also choose whether to list your location as your home address, a nearby intersection, or just your city. The more specific your location, the easier it is for buyers to find you — but it also shares more precise information about where you live.
Facebook requires you to confirm your identity before you can sell. This usually means providing your phone number or a government ID. Facebook stores this information and uses it to verify that you are a real person and to prevent fraud. You cannot sell without completing this step.
Once your listing is live, Facebook may show it to people outside your when ready area if they search for that item. Your listing may also appear in Facebook's recommendation system, which shows items to users based on their browsing history and interests. This means people you do not know can see your item and your seller profile.
Understanding Facebook's Data Sharing and Ads
Facebook is owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. Meta uses data from Marketplace — what you buy, what you sell, what you search for — to build a detailed profile of your interests. This profile is used to show you ads on Facebook, Instagram, and other websites that use Meta's advertising system.
Meta also shares some data with third-party companies. For example, if you click an ad on Facebook, the company running that ad receives information that you clicked it. If you visit a website that has a Facebook pixel, that website's owner learns that you visited. Meta does not sell your name and email directly to advertisers, but it does allow them to target you based on your behavior.
You can limit some of this tracking. In your Facebook settings, go to Apps and Websites and review which apps and websites have permission to see your data. You can remove access for apps you no longer use. You can also turn off personalized ads in your ad preferences, though you will still see ads — they just will not be based on your Marketplace activity.
Safety and Privacy Tips for Marketplace Transactions
Meet buyers and sellers in public places, never at your home unless you are very confident about the person. Bring someone with you if possible. If you are selling high-value items, consider meeting at a police station parking lot — many departments allow this for safety.
Do not share your full address, phone number, or payment information in Marketplace messages. If a seller or buyer asks for these details before you have agreed to meet, that is a red flag. Scammers sometimes pose as buyers to collect personal information.
If you pay through Facebook's payment system (available in some regions), that transaction is recorded and tied to your account. If you pay in cash or through another method, Facebook still knows a transaction occurred because of your messages, but it does not have details about the payment itself. Keep records of your own transactions in case there is a dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook account to use Marketplace?
Yes. You must have an active Facebook account, and it must be at least a few days old. Facebook does this to reduce fraud. If your account is brand new, you may not see the Marketplace option yet — wait a few days and check again.
Can I delete my Marketplace listings without deleting my Facebook account?
Yes. Go to your listings, find the item you want to remove, and tap or click the three dots next to it. Select "Delete Listing". Your Facebook account and profile will remain active. Deleted listings are removed from search results, but Facebook may keep a record of them in your account history.
What happens if I get scammed on Marketplace?
Facebook has a dispute resolution process, but it is limited. If you paid through Facebook's payment system, you may be able to report the transaction and request a refund. If you paid in cash or through another method, Facebook cannot recover your money — you would need to contact local police. Always meet in person and inspect items before paying.
Can I hide my Marketplace activity from my Facebook friends?
Not completely. Your friends can see your listings if they browse Marketplace in your area. You can make your profile less visible by adjusting privacy settings, but anyone you message on Marketplace will see your name and profile picture. The only way to keep Marketplace activity private is to not use Marketplace.
Does Facebook use my Marketplace searches to show me ads?
Yes. If you search for furniture on Marketplace, you will likely see furniture ads on your Facebook feed and other websites. This is part of how Meta's advertising system works. You can opt out of personalized ads in your settings, but you cannot prevent Facebook from collecting the search data itself.