Mind-Blowing Facebook Marketplace Statistics Revealed

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.

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 U.S. in May 2017.
• In 2018, Facebook Marketplace was used in 70 countries by 800 million people monthly.
• In 2021, 53% of U.S. 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 one billion monthly active users worldwide utilized Facebook Marketplace in the initial quarter of 2021. It’s been rolled out in more than 100 countries, which increases its popularity and reach.

The platform’s integration with Facebook allows for convenient communication between buyers and sellers, which is the key to any transaction. Hence, it’s no wonder that Facebook Marketplace is among the top choices for online shoppers.

The following sections will provide valuable information on the trends and data surrounding Facebook Marketplace. 

Facebook Marketplace Usage Statistics

With many Facebook Marketplace users, it’s become one of the most popular channels in the e-commerce space. Here are a few statistics to provide insights into the popularity of Facebook Marketplace:

1. Over 18 million new items were posted on Facebook Marketplace in the US in May 2017.

(Facebook)

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
• Portugal

2. In 2018, Facebook Marketplace was used in 70 countries by 800 million people monthly.

(CNET)

Facebook Marketplace was only available in selected countries during its launch. In just two years, it was already serving 70 countries.

With the continuous expansion, 800 million people could use this feature monthly. 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)

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. This survey revealed that this platform is more prevalent among younger people when buying items.

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 U.S. 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%

Facebook Marketplace User Demographics Statistics

Understanding the demographics of Facebook Marketplace users can be valuable for business owners and online sellers looking to sell their products on the platform.

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 mainly because this age group also holds the highest number of Facebook users.

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.

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. India, the U.S., Indonesia, and Brazil have over 100 million Facebook Marketplace users.

(Thrive My Way)

India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil are the top four countries with the most Facebook users. This is why these countries also have more than 100 million users of Facebook Marketplace.

Facebook Marketplace Trends Statistics

Over the years, Facebook Marketplace collected a few notable trends. 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 beneficial for sellers to keep an eye on consumers' purchasing behaviors. 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:

• Facebook: 1,066
• Instagram: 391
• eBay: 170
• Gumtree: 153

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)

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.

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 account
• Scammers don’t deliver items already paid

12. There was a 60% increase in clothing demand in Facebook Marketplace.

(Facebook)

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%.

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

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.