Facebook is celebrating five years of Facebook Marketplace with a string of new features for the platform.
Launched in 2016 as a way to connect users looking to buy and sell items, Marketplace is now visited by more than 1 billion people globally each month.
Facebook says Marketplace is all about connection – whether that’s connecting people with the things they love, finding new ways to shop sustainably, or discovering a passion for the thrill of the sale.
To recognise five years of Marketplace, Facebook has launched new ways to buy and sell, insights on what’s trending now, and tips for shopping responsibly this season.
New notifications
Users looking to buy certain items can now be notified when new listings are added that match their criteria.
By simply saving the search, a user that is looking to buy a specific bicycle, for example, can get notified when new bicycles that meet that criteria pop up for sale.
Expanded shipping options
In addition to shopping for items locally, buyers and sellers can take advantage of expanded shipping options on Marketplace and within Buy and Sell Groups. Shipping is rolling out in Great Britain for person-to-person, non-professional sales over the coming weeks and is also available within Buy and Sell Groups in the US.
With shipping, sellers can reach even more buyers, and shoppers can browse for items near and far, and purchase using Facebook Pay. Plus, many purchases made with checkout on Facebook are covered by Purchase Protection.
What’s trending
Marketplace is adding new ways for shoppers to see what’s trending, including;
- Top searches: As of September, the top searches on Marketplace in the US include desks, couches, patio furniture, campers and boats.
- Most popular categories: And the most popular categories on Marketplace in the US include household items, furniture, baby and kids items, women’s clothing and shoes, as well as cars, trucks and motorcycles.
- Sustainable style: Another trend we’re keeping our eyes on? The demand for clothing. Over the summer, we saw a 60% increase in interest for clothing on Marketplace in the US. Supply also increased during this time, with the number of clothing listings for sale rising by 20%.
