Since its launch in 2016, Facebook Marketplace quickly became a popular platform for businesses to sell their products online. This popularity rose during the pandemic when the percentage of users who used the platform doubled from the year before. It hit 1 billion monthly active users at the tail-end of the pandemic in 2021.
The platform’s users prefer Facebook Marketplace because it integrates with their existing social network. It provides a convenient and trustworthy platform for buying and selling within their community.
In this article, TechJury will share a few Facebook Marketplace statistics on usage, user demographics, and trends. Business owners and individual sellers will benefit from this data as it will help them analyze their marketing plans on this platform.
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- Over 18 million new items were posted on Facebook Marketplace in the US in May 2017.
- In 2023, 228 countries and territories can access Facebook Marketplace.
- In 2021, 53% of US secondhand luxury shoppers used Facebook Marketplace.
- People aged 25 to 35 are the largest demographic group of Facebook Marketplace users.
- 61.8% of users who visit Facebook Marketplace are female.
- In 2021, the number of scams reported to the Royal Bank of Scotland was 1,066.
- Scammers have targeted 1 out of 6 Facebook Marketplace users.
- There was a 60% increase in clothing demand in Facebook Marketplace.
How Popular is Facebook Marketplace?
Over 1 billion monthly active users utilized Facebook Marketplace in the initial quarter of 2021, according to Statista’s survey. It’s even more popular than Craigslist as BusinessDIT cites that 8% more people have bought from Marketplace than Craigslist. In 2023, the platform has been rolled out in over 100 countries, further increasing its reach.
The platform makes it easy for any business to set up and establish a brand. In fact, By 2023, Facebook has housed over 60 million business pages, and 93% ofmarketers use Facebook ads for their brands. It’s no wonder it is among the top choices for businesses and shoppers, especially in the Marketplace section.
The following sections will provide information on the trends and data surrounding Facebook Marketplace.
Facebook Marketplace Usage Statistics
The marketplace on Facebook has made selling, buying, and renting fast and convenient. This is evident in Messenger statistics, which show that 20 billion messages are exchanged between businesses and customers monthly.
With the platform’s already gargantuan user base, Marketplace has become one of the most popular channels in the e-commerce space.
Here are statistics that shed light on how far Facebook Marketplace has reached:
1. Over 18 million new items were posted on Facebook Marketplace in the US in May 2017.
(Facebook, Modern Retail)
Just seven months after its launch, Facebook Marketplace thrived, with 18 million new items posted for sale in the United States alone.
This rapid increase in popularity led to an expansion to 17 European countries, including:
- France
- Ireland
- Spain
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Czech Republic
- Sweden
- Italy
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Denmark
- Hungary
- Finland
- Norway
- Luxembourg
According to Modern Retail, a considerable chunk of Facebook’s quarterly earnings involves Marketplace. So the platform has increased its efforts to provide commerce tools and rake in businesses of all levels worldwide.
2. In 2023, Facebook Marketplace is used in 228 countries and territories globally.
(CNET, Meta, Capital One Shopping)
Facebook Marketplace was only available in selected countries during its launch. In just a few years, it has already expanded to 228 countries in 2023.
With the continuous expansion, 800 million people used this feature monthly in 2018. That was about 35% of monthly active users at the time, which means that it was rapidly soaring in popularity.
3. In 2020, 15% of Germans aged 16 to 29 used Facebook Marketplace to buy or sell secondhand items.
(Statista)
Statista revealed that 15% of Germans aged 16 to 29 used Facebook Marketplace to buy and sell secondhand items, compared to only 6% of those aged 30 and above.
In stark contrast, 64% of almost 200 Million American Facebook users are aged 50 to 64. The survey revealed that this platform is more prevalent among younger people outside of the US.
4. 1% of UK customers used Facebook Marketplace to shop for food once a week in 2020.
(Statista)
In 2020, 94% of Facebook Marketplace users in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland had never tried using the platform to shop for food. Only 1% of the consumers use this feature every week, so this platform is not the go-to place for food for most users.
5. In 2021, 53% of US secondhand luxury shoppers used Facebook Marketplace.
(Statista)
Facebook Marketplace is the second most popular online marketplace for secondhand luxury buyers in the United States. Here is the percentage of what online marketplace luxury shoppers prefer based on Statista:
- eBay: 69%
- Facebook Marketplace: 53%
- Poshmark: 51%
| ✅Pro Tip: If you plan on selling items on Facebook Marketplace, remember that 58% of customers are willing to spend more if products come with good reviews. |
Facebook Marketplace User Demographics Statistics
By 2023, Facebook will advertise for 3 million businesses actively selling products and services. Understanding the demographics behind the users of Facebook Marketplace is valuable for these businesses to thrive.
Here are some user demographics statistics that could help businesses tailor their marketing strategy to specific groups:
6. Ages 25 to 35 are the largest demographic group of Facebook Marketplace users.
(Thrive My Way)
Thrive My Way revealed that people aged 25 to 35 are typical users of Facebook Marketplace. This is primarily because 30% of all Facebook users worldwide are within this age range.
Another reason is that 67% of millennials prefer shopping online to in-store. They also make more than 54% of their purchases online, based on an article by Invesp. They dominate Marketplace with sheer numbers.
7. 61.8% of users who visit Facebook Marketplace are female.
(Thrive My Way)
The Facebook statistics released in January 2023 showed that most Facebook users are male. However, this isn’t the case for Facebook Marketplace. 61.8% of internet users on this platform are female, while only 38% are male.
8. The US, India, Indonesia, and Brazil have over 100 million Facebook Marketplace users.
(Thrive My Way, Statista)
The United States is one of the top countries with the most Facebook users. It’s joined by India, Indonesia, and Brazil. Combined, these countries have more than 100 million users on Facebook Marketplace.
| 👍Helpful Articles: Facebook Marketplace is a huge gathering place for business owners and customers. Here are other articles that will give you more insights on the business side of Facebook:  Helpful Facebook Statistics for business owners General social media statistics for businesses Social media demographic insights in 2023 |
Facebook Marketplace Trends Statistics
19% of Americans start their online shopping by searching on Facebook, and most of them follow trends.
Over the years, Marketplace collected a few notable trends of its own. Some of these are threatening to users, which is why statistics are here to raise awareness of what’s happening on the platform.
On the other hand, some trends are also beneficial for sellers to keep an eye on consumer purchasing behavior. Here are some Facebook Marketplace trends statistics you should know:
9. In 2021, the number of scams reported to the Royal Bank of Scotland was 1,066.
(Daily Record)
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) revealed that Facebook Marketplace was the most used online marketplace for scammers in 2021.
Here’s a breakdown of the number of scam reports from September 1 to November 22, 2021, based on the data by RBS:
This is likely due to Facebook as the most accessible platform for most people. Hence, it’s essential to be aware of Marketplace shopping safety.
10. Searches for “Facebook Marketplace scams” increased by 16% in 2021.
(thinkmoney, FBI)
Since Facebook Marketplace is regarded as the most common site for scammers, there has been a 16% increase in “Facebook Marketplace scams” searches in 2021. Thinkmoney based this data on June to October 2021 searches, where scams are prevalent due to the upcoming Christmas season.
According to the FBI, the holiday season is ripe with non-delivery and non-payment scams as people spend more during this time. In their Crime Complaint Center’s report of the same year, the scams stole more than $337 million from people.
11. Scammers have targeted 1 out of 6 Facebook Marketplace users.
(thinkmoney)
Thinkmoney revealed that 17% of users got scammed while using Facebook Marketplace. Two of the most commonly used schemes were:
- Scammers approached users with fake Facebook accounts
- Scammers don’t deliver items already paid
Facebook Marketplace scams are tricky, but they can be avoided or resolved. Watch out for overly cheap items and sellers who refuse to use the Facebook Checkout service or PayPal. You can also track down a scammer using BeenVerified and other effective ways.
| 🎉Fun Fact: Scammers aren’t the only people who lurk in Facebook Marketplace. Merely hours after its launch in 2016, CNN reported that criminals and, just plainly, weird people flooded Marketplace with bizarre and illegal listings. This forced Facebook to apologize for letting this strange occurrence happen. |
12. There was a 60% increase in clothing demand in Facebook Marketplace.
(Facebook, NPD)
Five years after its launch, Facebook observed a 60% rise in interest in clothing on Marketplace. At the time, clothing listings for sale also increased by 20%.
Facebook has a firm grip on fashion exposure. Posts and ads about trendy clothes often flash on your newsfeed, compelling you to buy them. The NPD Group surveyed that 41% of consumers discovered fashion brands and retailers on Facebook.
Marketplace offers one place to purchase those clothes and enables users immediate communication with the people selling them. This results in a fast and seamless transaction.
13. Household items are one of the most popular categories in Facebook Marketplace.
(Facebook)
In 2021, Facebook revealed the top categories on Marketplace in the US, which include:
- Household items
- Furniture
- Baby and kids’ items
- Women’s clothing and shoes
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
It’s easier to believe in a product’s condition and effectiveness if it’s used by a real person with a Facebook profile. Marketplace lets you see and relate to what people in your community use in their own houses, so you’re more confident shopping online.
| ✅Pro Tip: To avoid sending payment and not receiving the item you shopped for, use electronic transfers or suggest a small down-payment system. Don’t pay the full amount upfront; research the business or person selling the item. |
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace connects millions of buyers and sellers around the world. Hence, this platform offers immense potential for business owners to reach new audiences and generate more sales.
These Facebook Marketplace statistics help sellers better understand the trends and behaviors of users. This allows them to plan their marketing strategies and reach their target audiences more effectively.
FAQs
What sells the most on Facebook Marketplace?
Furniture, fashion apparel, toys, and technology devices are among the best-selling items on Facebook Marketplace.
What is the success rate of selling on Facebook Marketplace?
The success rate of selling on Facebook Marketplace depends on the items you’re selling, the quality of your listings, the demand for those items, and your overall marketing efforts. However, some users reported a 65% to 75% success rate.
Is Facebook Marketplace growing?
With a billion people using this online shopping tool, Facebook Marketplace is. It will continue to do so as the social media platform continues expanding and developing.
How many Facebook users use Marketplace?
2.9 billion monthly active users.
Sources
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Muninder Adavelli is a core team member and Digital Growth Strategist at Techjury. With a strong background in marketing and a deep understanding of technology's role in digital marketing, he brings immense value to the TechJury team.