Why Did Facebook Remove My Marketplace Listing?

If you've ever experienced the frustration of having your Facebook Marketplace post removed, you're not alone. It can be confusing to see your "for sale" item be removed (potentially accompanied by a threat to be banned entirely), leaving you wondering what went wrong. In this blog, I’ll explore the common reasons why your Marketplace listing may have been deleted and what you can do about it.

Understanding the Marketplace Commerce Policies    

Facebook Marketplace is (in my opinion) the best platform for buying and selling a wide range of products. However, like any online marketplace, it comes with a set of rules and regulations designed to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all users. To avoid getting banned entirely, it's essential to adhere to the commerce policies.

Here are the most common reasons I’ve seen posts be removed:

1. Showing/Writing Brand Names    

One of the most common reasons for post removal on Facebook Marketplace is the use of brand names in your listing. For instance, if you try to sell an item with the name "Louis Vuitton" in the title or even the brand being shown in the photo, you can expect your post to be swiftly deleted. This is because Facebook takes intellectual property and trademark issues seriously.

In the past, some sellers tried to be clever by using rhymes or symbols in place of brand names, like "c0@ch" instead of "Coach." However, Facebook's algorithm has become more sophisticated and can even detect labels in photos, making it harder to evade these rules.

2. Selling Items That Aren’t Allowed on Marketplace    

a. Marketplace doesn’t allow intangible goods. This means you can't post "in search of" ads, lost and found notices, jokes, or news articles. Marketplace is for selling physical products.

b. Selling services, such as house cleaning or freelance work, is not allowed on Marketplace. This platform is primarily for the exchange of physical items.

c. Selling animals or animal products is strictly prohibited on Marketplace. This includes posting about animals for adoption.

d. Medical and healthcare-related products, like thermometers or first-aid kits, are not allowed on Marketplace. This is to ensure the safety and accuracy of healthcare-related items. This also applies to supplements, medication, and even health drinks/snacks.

e. Recalled items may be removed– especially baby items such as crib bumpers. it's essential to check the manufacturer's website or consult relevant government entities to verify its status. Selling recalled products can pose serious safety risks.

What to Do if Your Listing is Removed    

If you find that your Marketplace post has been removed, don't panic. Facebook offers the option to appeal the decision or delete the listing if it was not approved. To appeal, follow these steps:

1. Go to your Facebook Marketplace profile.

2. Click on the "Your Listings" section.

3. Find the removed post and click "Appeal."

Once you've submitted an appeal, Facebook will review your listing, and if it complies with their policies, it may be reinstated. However, considering there’s been thousands of users that were banned without warning (and never re-instated) it’s best to follow the rules and take extra caution. Also, be patient. Some appeals are instant, but others may take weeks or even months.

In Conclusion

It's important to keep in mind that it’s highly unlikely your listing was removed by a human. Something flagged the algorithm/platform to believe you broke the rules. As a result, there may be occasional mistakes. So, if your listing is incorrectly removed, don't panic. You have the option to appeal or repost, ensuring you've meticulously followed the rules. It won’t be fool-proof, though. I’ve had multiple listings be removed without logical reason.

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