What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a feature within the Facebook platform that allows users to buy and sell new and used goods locally. Introduced in 2016, Marketplace builds on Facebook's connections between friends, family, neighbors, and communities to facilitate transactions.
On Marketplace, Facebook users can browse listings of items for sale in their local area posted by other users. Listings include details like item descriptions, prices, locations, and photos. Buyers can filter searches by location, category, price, and other attributes. Once they find an interesting listing, buyers can contact the seller via Marketplace messaging to ask questions and negotiate transactions. Sellers similarly use Marketplace to advertise items they want to sell, with the ability to manage inquiries and coordinate pickup/drop-off logistics.
Overall, Facebook Marketplace makes use of Facebook's extensive user base and community connections to power a convenient peer-to-peer marketplace. Key advantages include a familiar interface, no selling fees, and built-in user profiles and communication. As with any transaction platform, buyers and sellers must exercise caution in verifying identities, quality of goods, and payment terms.