Are you part of the freelance world but looking for ways to earn some extra cash? Join the Facebook Marketplace network—a space dedicated to buying and selling products used by millions of people and entrepreneurs around the world.
The Facebook Marketplace section is a tool that gives you the opportunity to start a business without investing in a store. It leverages millions of active users and offers automated local reach.
And while it's simple, today we’ll walk you through the steps to enable it, including how to activate Facebook Marketplace if it doesn’t appear. We’ll also explain its benefits and share some tips so you can start selling today.
It’s a feature integrated within the Facebook social network since 2016. It was designed to facilitate the buying and selling of products between people located in the same geographic area.
Unlike, for example, selling on AliExpress, Facebook Marketplace doesn’t require you to set up a formal store. Plus, since it relies on the social network’s infrastructure, it allows anyone with a personal account to list products at no cost.
What is Facebook Marketplace for?
It serves as a direct channel that simplifies the entire buying and selling process by removing middlemen. That’s why it’s an interesting option for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and people starting their business without a website.
The best part is that you can sell almost anything on Facebook Marketplace—from appliances and clothing to handmade items (as long as they comply with platform policies).
Before explaining how to activate Marketplace on Facebook, it’s important to clarify something:
Facebook Marketplace prioritizes personal accounts for free listings. That means you can upload products directly as an individual user without having to pay.
In general, if you have a business page, it will only appear in Marketplace through paid ads. However, if you manage a product catalog through Commerce Manager, you can request integration to sell directly on Marketplace. This option is not available in all countries.
That said, here are the steps to activate Marketplace on Facebook:
1. If you're using Facebook from a computer, log in to your account from a web browser.
2. Go to the main menu; on the left sidebar, you’ll see various sections like “Home,” “Groups,” or “Pages.”
3. Click on “Marketplace” or tap “See More” if it doesn’t appear right away. All available features will be displayed there.
4. When you click, the Marketplace section will open. If it’s your first time, Facebook might show you a quick intro or ask you to accept some terms.
5. Once inside, you can start posting products.
That’s how simple the process is.
In some new Facebook accounts, the Marketplace icon doesn’t appear right away—either in the app or the web version. If this is your case, don’t worry, try solving it this way:
Make sure your Facebook app is updated, as older versions may not show all features.
Verify that you meet Facebook’s policies, such as having an active personal account in good standing.
Manually activate access from settings by customizing your navigation bar (on mobile devices).
Go directly to the official link. Try accessing facebook.com/marketplace from a browser to force activation.
If after this the icon still doesn’t appear, your account might not be eligible at the moment.
To access Facebook Marketplace from your phone, it’s important to have the app updated. You also need to make sure that access is visible in your navigation bar.
Here’s how to activate Marketplace on Facebook for Android and iPhone:
On Android:
Open the Google Play Store.
Tap your profile (top right icon) and select “Manage apps and device.”
Go to “Available updates.”
If Facebook appears in the list, tap “Update.”
If it doesn’t, your app is already up to date.
On iPhone (iOS):
Open the App Store.
Tap the “Updates” icon in the bottom left.
Find Facebook in the list.
If available, tap “Update.”
Open the Facebook app.
Tap the three horizontal lines (on Android: top right; on iOS: bottom right).
Scroll down and go to “Settings & Privacy,” then “Settings.”
Look for the option “Navigation bar” or “Customize the bar.”
Enable Marketplace so it appears in the main navigation menu.
This way, the Marketplace icon will be visible in your app, and you can start posting products from your phone.
As a freelancer, Facebook Marketplace can be a viable alternative to generate income online—whether monetizing your own physical products or reselling.
It also offers the following benefits:
Attracts clients and increases your reach.
Organizes products by niche and improves their visibility among interested users.
You can answer questions and interact with interested buyers via Facebook chat.
Displays products to users within a range of up to 200 kilometers.
Doesn’t charge any fees; all profits are yours.
You can upload up to 10 photos per product, add detailed descriptions, prices, and specifications. This builds buyer trust and clarity.
It’s easier than making money on YouTube since you don’t need to create content, gain followers, or meet requirements. Just upload photos, add a description, and set a price.
When you post a product, you can also share it in sale groups related to your niche.
Facebook Marketplace is ideal for earning extra money, getting rid of things you no longer use, or starting a small home-based business. Plus, you can reach buyers everywhere.
Once you understand how to activate Marketplace on Facebook for iPhone, Android, or desktop, you can start uploading your products to sell.
But if you want to stand out among the sea of sellers, check out these tips—they’ll help you boost your sales easily:
Before posting, review Facebook Marketplace policies and avoid getting penalized or blocked for restricted content or poorly made listings.
It’s also crucial to provide good service from the start to earn positive reviews. Facebook Marketplace has a rating system so future buyers can see your history.
Ratings start to display once you receive five.
Titles that get straight to the point perform best. A simple formula is: product + type + benefit (e.g., “Ergonomic Office Chair – Used, in excellent condition”).
Let potential buyers know whether what you're selling is new or used. Also include quantity, colors, and sizes available. The more detailed the product is, the fewer repetitive questions you’ll get.
Of course, use short phrases, no typos, and keywords your customers might search for. The goal is to clarify who the product is for, what makes it unique, and how it will be delivered.
Many sellers post misleading prices on Facebook Marketplace. Don’t be one of them, as this can harm your business.
Trust sells more than any discount. If there’s a promotion, be clear, and do the same with delivery terms, payment methods, and whether you accept returns.
Replying as fast as possible can make a big difference. It helps to have pre-written messages and to include your WhatsApp number or a link to your portfolio.
Also, don’t limit yourself to Marketplace—share your listings in niche groups and join entrepreneur communities.
If you are a freelancer and want to generate income from home without having a physical or online store, try Facebook Marketplace. Apart from working as an accessible digital showcase, it is free and it is not so complicated to take your first steps. You only need a personal account, a product and consistency in your publications.
Do you work on online freelance platforms? Consider downloading DolarApp, a convenient alternative for receiving payments in digital dollars and managing your income more efficiently. We even give you the option to convert your USDc balance to your local currency with 0% commission.
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