Facebook Marketplace allows users to buy and sell items locally. With over 1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Marketplace is a popular platform to find great deals on used items or earn some extra cash by selling things you no longer need.
Searching for items on Marketplace is easy once you know how. Here are some tips to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Use the Search Bar
The most straightforward way to search Marketplace is to use the search bar at the top of the page. Just type in a keyword or phrase for what you want to find. For example, you could search “bicycle” if you’re looking for used bikes in your area.
When using the search bar, your results will include listings with that keyword or phrase in the title or description. You can further refine the search using the filters, which we’ll discuss more below.
Filter by Category
If you want to browse Marketplace listings by category, click “Categories” at the top of the page. Here you’ll find main categories like:
- Vehicles
- Home
- Electronics
- Fashion
- Toys & Games
- Sporting Goods
- Home Improvement
- And more
Selecting a category will show you all listings that sellers have posted in that specific category. For even more filtering, most categories have subcategories you can choose from.
For example, under “Home” you can filter by subcategories like furniture, home decor, kitchenware, craft supplies, and more. This lets you easily browse listings related to your specific interests.
Filter by Location
One of the key features of Marketplace is finding stuff available locally. So naturally, location is an important filter.
By default, Marketplace will show you listings near your current location. But you can adjust the location filter to expand or limit the search radius.
To change the location filter, click the location pin icon near the top and enter a new city, state, or zip code. You can also drag the map to a new area.
Adjust the mile radius too – try setting it to 50 miles or 100 miles to cast a wider net. The maximum radius you can set is 500 miles.
Use Price Filters
Searching by price is another useful way to filter Marketplace listings. You have a few options here:
- Price range – Enter a minimum and/or maximum price to only see listings within that price window.
- Free items – Check this box to only view listings that are free (no purchase price).
- “Offer” listings – Select this option to see items open to negotiation on the price.
The price filters are located below the main search bar. Play around with different price limits to find affordable deals or filter out expensive items.
Filter by Seller Type
You can also filter based on the seller’s account type:
- Individual sellers – These are everyday people selling their own used items.
- Business sellers – These are businesses selling items, similar to an online store.
- Both – This option includes listings from both individuals and businesses.
Filtering by seller type allows you to shop based on your preferences. For example, some buyers prefer the community feel of buying from other individuals.
Search Within Your Feed
Looking for something specific you saw before? You can also search within your main Marketplace feed:
- Go to the Marketplace section of Facebook.
- At the top, click “Feed” to view your main scrolling feed.
- Click the magnifying glass icon at the top of your feed.
- Type in a search term or phrase and hit Enter.
This searches all the listings that have shown up in your feed from sellers near your area. It’s handy for finding that one item you can’t remember the name of but want to track down.
Save Your Favorites
When you find items you want to keep on your radar, save them to your Favorites list:
- Click the bookmark icon on any listing.
- This adds it to your Favorites list for easy access later.
- To view your Favorites, click “Favorites” at the top of Marketplace.
Organize your favorites into custom lists by clicking the 3-dot menu on desktop or selecting “Edit List” on mobile. This makes it easier to track and find them again.
Follow Sellers
To stay updated on new listings from sellers you like, follow their Marketplace shop:
- Click into the seller’s Marketplace shop profile.
- Click the “Follow” button near the top.
- You’ll now get notifications when they post new items for sale.
Following your favorite sellers helps you find and buy great items the moment they get listed.
Get Alerts for New Listings
You can also get alerts whenever new listings matching your searches get posted in your area.
To set up alerts:
- Enter a search term or filter as usual.
- At the top of the results, click “Get alerts”.
- Choose if you want email or push notifications.
- You’ll now get alerts when matching new listings are posted near you.
Alerts are super helpful for finding popular items that sell quickly, like limited-edition sneakers or coveted furniture pieces.
Use Recommended Groups and Pages
Check out the Recommended Groups and Recommended Pages sections when searching.
These highlight active buy and sell groups and Marketplace sellers that are popular in your area. Oftentimes you can find great deals here localized specifically to your city or neighborhood.
Conclusion
Searching and filtering are key to finding your ideal items on Facebook Marketplace. Take advantage of price filters, location settings, seller types, favorites lists, and alerts to customize your results.
Happy deal hunting! With over 1 billion users, Marketplace is full of unique finds and great bargains if you use these search and filter tips.