Facebook Marketplace Rules Every Seller Should Know

Facebook Marketplace is a moderated platform. To keep the community safe, Facebook enforces strict Commerce Policies that govern what can be sold and how listings must be presented. Violating these rules can result in your listings being rejected, shadowbanned, or your entire marketplace access revoked.

Here are the essential rules and policies every seller needs to know to keep their account in good standing.

1. What You Can and Cannot Sell (Prohibited Items)

Facebook’s automated filters check listings for prohibited items. The most common violations for everyday sellers include:

• Services: You cannot sell services (e.g., house cleaning, tutoring, assembly) directly as Marketplace item listings.
• Animals: Selling pets or livestock is strictly prohibited.
• Healthcare & Medical: You cannot sell medical devices, face masks, first-aid kits, or health supplements.
• Digital Products: Selling eBooks, accounts, gift cards, or digital downloads is not allowed.
• Weapons & Tobacco: Any listings containing knives, firearms, vape products, or related accessories are banned.

2. The Duplicate Listing Rule

Facebook aims to prevent the Marketplace feed from being cluttered with identical posts.

• The Rule: You cannot create multiple listings for the exact same item.
• How it is detected: Facebook’s image recognition and text matching scan for identical titles, descriptions, or photos.
• The Penalty: Automated rejection of the duplicate listings. Repeated offenses can lead to account restrictions.
• What to do instead: If your item has not sold, delete the old listing completely before publishing a new one.

3. Stock Photos and Intellectual Property

Using images that do not belong to you can lead to copyright strikes.

• The Rule: Your listing photos must accurately represent the item for sale.
• Why it matters: Using stock images from websites like IKEA, Wayfair, or Amazon violates intellectual property policies.
• The Risk: Brands can report your listing, leading to immediate deletion and potential account suspension.
• What to do instead: Always take your own photos, even if the item is brand new in its original packaging.

4. Honest Representation of Items

Facebook’s policies state that listings must not mislead buyers.

• The Rule: Descriptions must match the photos, condition, and details selected.
• Clickbait pricing: Listing an item as “Free” or “£1” when you expect a higher price violates Facebook’s pricing integrity policies.
• Condition accuracy: Marking an item as “New” when it is clearly used is a policy violation.

5. Third-Party Links and Spam

Facebook prefers to keep conversations and transactions within its platform.

• The Rule: Do not include redirect links, affiliate links, or external store links in your descriptions.
• The Risk: External links are often flagged as spam by automated moderation bots, reducing listing visibility to near zero.
• What to do instead: Direct buyers to message you on Messenger. If they want to purchase, you can then share details privately.

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Commerce Policy Compliance Guide

Policy Area	Forbidden Action	Allowed Action
Images	Using stock photos from Google/Amazon	Taking original photos of the actual item
Pricing	Listing £0, £1, or “Free”	Listing the actual, negotiable price
Duplicates	Keeping multiple copies of a listing active	Deleting the old listing before reposting
External links	Adding links to external websites	Encouraging contact via Messenger

What to Do If Your Listing is Rejected

If your listing is rejected, do not panic. It is often a false positive by Facebook’s automated scanner.

1. Click “Request Review”: If you are certain you have not violated any policies, request a manual review. This usually resolves false flags within 24 hours.
2. Delete and Rewrite: If the review is denied, delete the post. Take new photos, rewrite the title to be simpler, and re-upload. Do not reuse the same text.

Key Takeaways

• Stick to original photos and honest pricing.
• Never list duplicate posts at the same time.
• Keep listing descriptions free from external links and brand-sensitive keywords.
• Address rejections quickly through the appeal process.

Browse our beds and mattresses listed safely and in full compliance with local guidelines. Contact us directly on WhatsApp at +44 7XXX XXXXXX for stock and orders.