By Webhouse.pt 17 Apr
Facebook's Marketplace has become one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling products online. The promise is tempting: a free space where users can list their products and find buyers quickly. However, there is an important detail that many entrepreneurs overlook and which can cost them dearly: Facebook Marketplace is not designed for companies.
If you have a business and are thinking of using Marketplace to promote your products or services, this article is for you. We'll explain how this tool works, who it's aimed at and what the best strategies are for advertising your business within Meta's rules.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a feature integrated into the social network that allows users to buy and sell products locally. The platform is similar to an “online marketplace”, where each user can list items, negotiate and make sales directly with other users.
The great advantage for consumers is that the Marketplace is easy to access and free of charge. Searches are personalized according to location, making it easier to connect buyers and sellers within the same region.
Why can't companies sell on Marketplace?
Facebook's policy is clear: the Marketplace is only intended for transactions between consumers (“C2C” - Consumer to Consumer). This means that companies and businesses cannot use this space to sell their products or services.
If a company tries to use a personal profile or business page to post on Marketplace, it risks having its classifieds removed and its account blocked. Facebook is strict in applying these rules to ensure that the platform remains a space for informal exchanges between users.
How can a company advertise its products safely?
Although the Marketplace is restricted to companies, this does not mean that brands are prevented from appearing in this section. There is an official and effective solution: Meta's Paid Ads.
Meta offers a robust tool for companies wishing to promote their products and services in a targeted way. Ads can appear in various sections of Facebook and Instagram, including:
News Feed
Stories
Search
And even in the Marketplace itself (as a paid ad)!
Using Meta's ad platform, companies can target specific audiences, set budgets and get detailed reports on the performance of their campaigns.
In short, Facebook's Marketplace may seem like a tempting option for companies looking for free visibility, but it's not the right strategy. Businesses that try to get around the rules can end up with their accounts blocked and lose access to the platform.
If your goal is to attract more customers and increase sales, the right way forward is to invest in paid ads. With the right strategy, you can get real results without taking unnecessary risks.
Want to increase your business's visibility on Facebook and Instagram?
At Webhouse, we help companies create optimized and highly effective ad campaigns. Contact us and find out how we can boost your digital marketing!