With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world. On Facebook, users can join different types of groups based on shared interests, locations, affiliations and more. Some groups are small with just a few members, while others have millions of members. For people looking to grow their business or brand, large Facebook groups represent a major opportunity to reach a targeted audience. This leads many to ask: can you buy Facebook groups?
Is it possible to buy a Facebook group?
Yes, it is possible to buy Facebook groups, though the process is not straightforward. Facebook’s Terms of Service prohibit users from selling or transferring their accounts. However, there are ways for group owners to essentially “sell” their group by adding the buyer as an admin and then removing themselves from the group after payment is received.
Here are some key things to know about buying Facebook groups:
- The transaction takes place outside of Facebook. The group owner cannot list the group for sale on the platform itself.
- The buyer must negotiate terms and payment with the seller independently.
- After agreeing to terms, the seller adds the buyer as an admin on the group. The buyer then sends payment.
- Once payment is received, the seller removes themselves as an admin, handing over full control to the buyer.
- The transaction risks violating Facebook’s Terms of Service. If caught, Facebook may shut down the group.
So in summary – yes, there are ways to essentially buy a Facebook group from its current owner. But the process occurs entirely offline and carries risks if discovered by Facebook.
Why would someone want to buy a Facebook group?
There are several potential motivations for buying an existing Facebook group:
Gain a ready-made audience
Popular Facebook groups already have an established membership. Instead of starting from scratch, buying a group with 100,000+ members can provide instant reach to a targeted audience.
Leverage trust and authority
Long-standing groups have earned credibility and trust within their niche. Buying such a group allows the new owner to leverage that authority rather than building it from the ground up.
Boost brand awareness
For businesses, taking over a relevant group provides a platform to get their brand and products in front of many potential customers.
Monetization opportunities
Once in control of a large group, the buyer has options to monetize through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling their own products.
In essence, established groups have an audience, authority, and monetization potential that buyers want access to. Taking over the admin rights can provide a shortcut compared to building a group from nothing.
What are the risks of buying Facebook groups?
While buying an existing Facebook group can offer some clear advantages, there are also notable risks to keep in mind:
Violating Facebook’s Terms of Service
As mentioned, Facebook prohibits the sale or transfer of accounts. If caught, Facebook may delete the group and ban the participants.
Loss of members
Long-time group members may be unhappy with new leadership and choose to leave the group. This attrition can undermine the original value proposition.
Reputation damage
Takeovers can anger group members who then speak out against the buyer. This negative word-of-mouth can hurt the brand reputation.
No recourse if scammed
Because these transactions violate Facebook’s rules, there is no recourse if the seller takes payment but does not transfer admin rights as promised.
Overall, there are ethical and practical risks involved. Buyers should consider if taking over an existing group is worth the potential downsides.
How much does it cost to buy a Facebook group?
There is no set market price for Facebook groups. Costs can range dramatically based on factors like:
- Group size – Large groups command higher prices
- Engagement level – Highly active groups are more valuable
- Authority in niche – Well-known groups carry a premium
- Monetization potential – Income opportunities boost the price
- Competition among buyers – High demand can trigger bidding wars
Based on these factors, prices for groups can range from a few hundred dollars for smaller communities up to tens of thousands for the most premium groups.
As a benchmark, here are some estimated price ranges:
| Group Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 10,000 – 50,000 members | $500 – $2,000 |
| 50,000 – 100,000 members | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 100,000+ members | $5,000 – $50,000+ |
These are rough estimates only as each group is unique. But it gives a sense of the potential costs based on size alone. Other factors like engagement and monetization potential could push prices even higher.
Is buying Facebook groups illegal?
Buying and selling Facebook groups is not exactly illegal per se, but it does violate Facebook’s Terms of Service. The relevant section states:
“You will not sell, transfer, or sublicense your account to anyone without first getting our written consent.”
So while not outright illegal, buying or selling groups is considered a breach of Facebook’s user agreement. If discovered, Facebook can choose to delete the group, ban the participants, or even suspend accounts.
There are also risks related to how the transactions are conducted. Buyers and sellers should be careful to document agreements and payments to avoid accusations of fraud or misrepresentation.
Overall, even though criminal charges are unlikely, there are significant risks in circumventing Facebook’s guidelines around buying and selling groups.
How to find Facebook groups for sale
Since Facebook itself cannot be used to list groups for sale, buyers need to find sellers through other channels. Some ways to find groups potentially for sale:
Word-of-mouth
Letting friends, colleagues, and wider networks know you are looking to buy can uncover group owners interested in selling.
Online marketplaces
Websites like Flippa allow people to list online assets for sale, including Facebook groups and pages. But quality and legality can be questionable.
Facebook ads
Targeting ads towards keywords and interests around managing/selling groups can attract leads.
Dedicated brokers
A small number of specialized brokers exist to connect group buyers and sellers. They typically charge a percentage commission.
Through persistent networking and outreach, serious buyers can almost always find group owners open to selling their community for the right valuation. But it requires effort to locate viable opportunities.
Is it a good idea to buy an existing Facebook group?
Buying an existing Facebook group can provide some clear upside:
- Get instant access to an engaged audience
- Leverage trust and authority of an established community
- Avoid time-consuming group building
- Monetization and promotion opportunities
However, the risks are also substantial:
- Violates Facebook ToS, risking bans and deletion
- Community backlash and loss of members
- Overpaying without recourse
- Reputation damage if seen as unethical
Weighing the potential rewards against the risks and moral implications is a personal decision. There are certainly successful examples of group acquisitions. But failure remains a possibility as well.
Some best practices if choosing to buy a group:
- Thoroughly vet the seller and use escrow services during payment
- Have a transition plan to introduce yourself to members
- Bring value by improving group management and engagement
- Make ethical monetization choices that benefit the community
With due diligence, buying an existing group can be a viable growth shortcut. But pursue it thoughtfully, as quick rewards often carry long-term consequences.
Conclusion
Buying and selling Facebook groups exists in a gray area, violating Terms of Service but rarely incurring legal punishment. For some, the chance to gain an instant audience is worth the reputation risk and moral ambiguity. Others prefer to grow groups organically to avoid potential issues.
If choosing to explore buying a group, thoroughly vet the seller, consult an attorney, and craft a transition plan. With care and some luck, a purchased group can successfully expand business reach. But failure and backlash remain real possibilities in this ethically dubious domain.
The safer path is building community the old-fashioned way: through providing genuine value to members over time. But for those determined to shortcut the process, purchasing groups can fast-track audience growth – if done carefully and strategically.