Who this is for
New Facebook Marketplace sellers—or anyone who's browsed Marketplace but hasn't listed anything yet. This guide walks you through everything from account setup to your first sale, including the details most guides skip.
Generate a Facebook Marketplace listing
Create clear, compelling descriptions that sell fast on Marketplace.
The goal
Go from zero to your first Facebook Marketplace sale. By the end of this guide, you'll have your account set up, understand the listing process, know the fees, and avoid the mistakes that get new sellers restricted.
Quick overview: What you need to start
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Facebook account | Active, in good standing, 18+ years old |
| Payment setup | Bank account linked for shipped item payouts |
| ID verification | Government-issued ID (for shipping/payments) |
| Device | Phone or computer with camera |
| Time to first sale | Average ~12 days, faster with good pricing |
Facebook Marketplace has no subscription fees, no listing fees, and no upfront costs. You can start selling immediately after setup.
1. Account requirements
What you need
- An active Facebook account in good standing (no recent Community Standards violations)
- You must be 18 years old or older
- Your account should have some activity history—brand new accounts with zero friends and no posts may be restricted from Marketplace access
Common access issues
If you can't see Marketplace in your Facebook menu:
- Your account may be too new (give it a few days of normal activity)
- Your account may have a Community Standards violation
- Marketplace isn't available in all countries—it's available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and most of Europe
- Check your Account Quality Center for any restrictions
Generate a Facebook Marketplace listing
Create clear, compelling descriptions that sell fast on Marketplace.
2. Setting up for selling
Profile setup
Buyers check your profile before buying. Make sure:
- Your profile photo is a real photo of you (not a logo or blank)
- Your name is your real name (business names can trigger restrictions)
- Your location is set correctly—this determines which local buyers see your listings
- Your profile is at least partially public so buyers can verify you're a real person
Payment setup (for shipped items)
If you plan to ship items, you need to set up Facebook Pay:
- Go to Settings → Facebook Pay (or Meta Pay)
- Add a debit card or bank account for receiving payments
- Complete identity verification by uploading a government-issued ID
- Wait 24–48 hours for verification approval
Identity verification documents are stored encrypted and deleted after 30 days. You only need to verify once.
For local pickup sales, no payment setup is needed—payment happens in person.
3. Creating your first listing
Step-by-step walkthrough
- Open Marketplace — Tap the Marketplace icon (storefront) in the Facebook app or go to facebook.com/marketplace
- Tap "Create New Listing" — Select "Item for Sale" (other options: Vehicle, Home for Rent)
- Add photos — Take or upload up to 10 photos. Use at least 3 for best results.
- Write your title — Up to 100–200 characters. Front-load important keywords in the first 65 characters (that's what shows in the feed).
- Set your price — Enter your asking price. Toggle "Or Best Offer" if you're open to negotiation.
- Select category — Choose the most specific category available. "Furniture > Tables > Coffee Tables" is better than "Home Goods."
- Select condition — New, Like New, Good, Fair
- Write your description — Include condition details, dimensions, brand, and any flaws
- Set your location — This determines which buyers see your listing. Use your general area, not your exact address.
- Choose delivery method — Local pickup, shipping, or both
- Tap "Publish" — Your listing goes live immediately
Required vs. optional fields
| Field | Required? | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Yes (min 1) | Use 3–10 for best results |
| Title | Yes | Front-load keywords in first 65 chars |
| Price | Yes | Research comparable listings first |
| Category | Yes | Be as specific as possible |
| Condition | Yes | Be honest—it builds trust |
| Description | No (but always fill it) | Answer buyer questions preemptively |
| Location | Yes | General area, not exact address |
| Tags | No (up to 3) | Add relevant search terms |
| SKU | No | Useful for business sellers tracking inventory |
Photo tips for your first listing
- Minimum resolution: 1080×1080 pixels recommended
- Format: JPEG for photos, PNG for images with text
- Lighting: Natural daylight is best. Avoid flash and harsh shadows.
- Background: Clean and uncluttered. White or neutral surfaces work well.
- What to photograph: Front, back, sides, any labels/tags, any flaws
- Never use stock photos — They trigger compliance flags and listing removal
For detailed photo and listing optimization tips, see our Facebook Marketplace listing tips guide.
4. Understanding fees
Local pickup: Free
Facebook charges zero fees for local pickup sales. No listing fee, no transaction fee, no commission. Payment happens outside Facebook (cash, Venmo, Zelle, etc.), so Facebook takes nothing.
Shipped items: ~13%
When a buyer purchases through Facebook checkout for shipping:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Selling fee | 10% of total (including shipping), min $0.80 |
| Payment processing | 2.9% of order total |
| Total | ~13% |
The selling fee doubled from 5% to 10% in April 2024. Older guides referencing 5% are outdated.
For a complete fee breakdown with comparisons to other platforms, see our Facebook Marketplace fees guide. You can also use our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator to estimate costs on specific items.
5. How local sales work
Most Facebook Marketplace sales are local pickup. Here's the process:
Buyer contacts you
Buyers message you through Messenger. Common first messages include "Is this still available?" and price offers. Respond quickly—fast response times boost your algorithm ranking and keep buyers interested.
Negotiate (if needed)
Most buyers expect to negotiate 10–20% below asking price. Build this into your pricing. A $100 item you'd accept $80 for should be listed at $95–100.
Arrange the meetup
- Agree on a public location — Parking lots of police stations, fire stations, or busy retail stores
- Set a specific time — "Saturday at 2 PM at the Walmart parking lot on Main St"
- Confirm the day of — Send a quick message the morning of to reduce no-shows
Complete the sale
- Bring the item as described
- Accept payment (cash is most common, but payment apps work too)
- Mark the item as Sold in your listing afterward
Mark as sold
After the sale, go to your listing and mark it as sold. This removes it from search results and keeps your active listings clean.
6. How shipped sales work
If you enable shipping on a listing:
- Buyer purchases through Facebook checkout (pays item price + shipping + tax)
- You receive an order notification with the buyer's address
- Package and ship within 3 business days
- Upload the tracking number to Facebook
- Payment is released ~5 days after delivery confirmation
For detailed shipping instructions, carrier comparisons, and cost-saving tips, see our Facebook Marketplace shipping guide.
7. Safety for local sales
Facebook's official recommendations
- Meet in public, well-lit areas — Avoid meeting at your home or the buyer's home
- Use police station safe exchange zones — Many police stations have designated spots with video surveillance
- Bring someone with you — Especially for high-value items or evening meetups
- Communicate only through Messenger — Don't share your phone number, email, or home address
- Trust your instincts — If something feels off, cancel the meetup
Payment safety
- Cash is safest for in-person transactions — Verify bills for high-value sales
- Payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App) work but verify payment received before handing over the item
- Never accept checks — They can bounce after you've given away the item
- Never accept overpayment with a refund request — This is a common scam
- Don't wire money or send gift cards — No legitimate buyer asks for this
Red flags to watch for
- Buyer wants to pay with a check or money order
- Buyer asks you to ship instead of meeting locally (without using Facebook checkout)
- Buyer offers more than asking price and requests a refund of the difference
- Buyer asks for your phone number or email immediately
- Buyer wants to meet at your home or an isolated location
- Buyer sends a "verification code" and asks you to share it
8. Facebook Marketplace rules
Prohibited items (key categories)
You cannot sell:
- Drugs and pharmaceuticals (including supplements that make health claims)
- Weapons and ammunition (including toy guns that look realistic)
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Live animals
- Counterfeit or stolen goods
- Adult products
- Recalled items
- Digital products (downloads, subscriptions, digital currencies)
- Services (with some exceptions)
Using certain words like "gun" even for toy items (e.g., "Nerf gun") can trigger automatic removal. Use "Nerf blaster" instead.
Actions that get you restricted
- Posting prohibited items — Even accidentally
- Keyword stuffing in titles — Repeating words to game search
- Spam-like behavior — Posting too many listings too quickly
- Getting multiple buyer reports — Complaints about misleading listings or poor communication
- Repeated policy violations — Even minor ones accumulate
- Using automation tools — Bots for auto-posting can trigger bans
How to check your account status
Go to Account Quality Center in your Facebook settings. This shows any violations, restrictions, and the current status of your Marketplace access.
9. New seller limits
Facebook restricts new sellers to prevent spam:
| Account Age | Typical Limit |
|---|---|
| Brand new | ~1 listing per day |
| After ~1 week | Gradually increasing |
| Established | Up to 150 listings per day |
How to build trust faster
- Start with 1 listing per day — Don't rush to post everything at once
- Be active on Facebook — Engage with posts, groups, and friends
- Respond to buyer messages quickly — Response speed affects your ranking
- Complete sales successfully — Each completed sale builds your seller history
- Fill out your profile completely — Real photo, accurate location, some public activity
Trying to circumvent limits (creating multiple accounts, using automation) will get you permanently banned.
10. After your first sale
Getting reviews
After a completed sale, buyers can leave a 1–5 star rating. Your public rating appears after you receive 5 or more reviews. To get good reviews:
- Be honest about item condition
- Respond to messages promptly
- Show up on time for meetups
- Ship quickly with tracking
Listing renewal
Listings stay active for 7 days before visibility drops. You can:
- Renew a listing up to 5 times (keeping it visible for up to 42 days total)
- Delete and relist for a fresh algorithm boost after renewals are exhausted
Don't relist more than once every 5–7 days or you'll be flagged for spam.
Scaling up
Once you've made a few sales:
- List more items — Your daily limit increases with account history
- Optimize your listings — Better photos and titles based on what worked
- Consider shipping — Expands your buyer pool beyond your local area
- Track your costs — Know your fees, shipping costs, and true profit per item
- Cross-list on other platforms — Compare Facebook Marketplace vs eBay to decide which platforms fit your products
What sells best on Facebook Marketplace
Top categories by sales volume
- Furniture — Couches, tables, dressers, beds. Local pickup dominates.
- Electronics — Phones, gaming consoles, laptops. Both local and shipped.
- Home goods — Kitchen appliances, decor, tools.
- Baby & kids — Strollers, car seats, clothes bundles, toys.
- Vehicles — Cars, motorcycles, boats. See our guide to selling cars on Facebook Marketplace.
- Clothing — Brand name, vintage, and athletic wear perform well.
What Facebook does better than other platforms
- Large, heavy items — No shipping means no size penalties
- Local-only items — Furniture, appliances, building materials
- Quick sales — Motivated local buyers often purchase same-day
- Free items — Great for decluttering with zero hassle
What to sell elsewhere
- Collectibles and antiques — eBay has the collectors
- Handmade items — Etsy is the destination
- Brand new retail items — Amazon or Shopify offer better tools
- Items over $500 — Facebook's shipping limit excludes high-value goods
For a detailed comparison, use our Platform Comparison Calculator to see which marketplace fits your products.
FAQ
Is Facebook Marketplace free to use?
Yes for local pickup sales—no listing fees, transaction fees, or commissions. Shipped items cost approximately 13% (10% selling fee + 2.9% payment processing). There's no subscription or monthly fee.
Do I need a business account to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
No. Personal Facebook accounts can sell on Marketplace. There's no separate "business account" — to sell as a business, you create a Business Page and set up a Shop through Commerce Manager. See our Facebook Marketplace for business guide for the full setup process.
How long does it take to sell something?
The average is about 12 days, but properly priced items in popular categories can sell within hours. Pricing competitively, using good photos, and posting during peak hours (evenings and weekend mornings) speed up sales.
Can I sell used items?
Yes. Facebook Marketplace was designed for used items. Select the appropriate condition (Like New, Good, or Fair) and accurately describe any wear or flaws.
Why was my listing removed?
Common reasons: prohibited item (even unintentionally), keyword stuffing in the title, stock photos, reported by another user, or trigger words in the description. Check your Account Quality Center for specifics.
How do I avoid getting banned?
Follow Commerce Policies, post honestly, respond to messages, avoid trigger words, don't spam listings, and start slowly with a new account. Most bans result from repeated policy violations or spam-like behavior.
When do I get paid for shipped items?
Payment is released approximately 5 business days after delivery confirmation via tracking. Funds then take 1–3 business days to reach your linked bank account. Without delivery confirmation, Facebook holds payment for 15–20 business days.
What can't you sell on Facebook Marketplace?
Prohibited items include weapons, ammunition, alcohol, tobacco, drugs (including CBD in some cases), live animals, recalled products, counterfeit goods, adult products, and digital products. Facebook will remove listings and may ban accounts that violate these policies.
Is Facebook Marketplace safe?
It's as safe as you make it. For local sales, meet in public places (preferably police station exchange zones), bring someone, communicate through Messenger only, and accept cash or verified payment app transactions. For shipped items, Purchase Protection covers buyers, and you should always use tracked shipping. See our Facebook Marketplace safety guide for scam red flags and safe meetup tips.
Next steps
- Generate a complete listing — title, description, and tags in 30 seconds with our Facebook Marketplace listing generator.
- Calculate your fees with our Facebook Marketplace Fee Calculator to price profitably.
- Understand your costs with our Facebook Marketplace fees breakdown.
- Optimize your listings with our Facebook Marketplace listing tips guide.
- Learn to ship with our Facebook Marketplace shipping guide.
- Sell locally with our local selling guide for pricing, meetups, and negotiation.
- Stay safe with our Facebook Marketplace safety guide.
- Compare platforms using our Platform Comparison Calculator to see if you should also sell on eBay, Etsy, or Amazon.
Generate a Facebook Marketplace listing
Create clear, compelling descriptions that sell fast on Marketplace.
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Sources
- Shopify - How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace
- LitCommerce - Facebook Marketplace Fees 2026
- Meta Transparency Center - Commerce Policies
- Lyfe Marketing - Complete Facebook Marketplace Guide
- SocialThink - Facebook Marketplace New Account Limits
- TopBubbleIndex - Facebook Marketplace Photography Guide
- Reader's Digest - Is Facebook Marketplace Safe?
- LeadsBridge - Facebook Marketplace Complete Guide
- Socialo - Facebook Marketplace Listing Renewal