How to change location on Facebook Marketplace

Chances are you’ve heard of Facebook Marketplace and all the great deals you could get there. In fact, many bargain hunters recommend looking for secondhand furniture, electronics, and home accessories on Marketplace. 

However, did you know that you can change the location of your marketplace to access deals and different finds from other locales? We’ll show you how.

Why change your Facebook Marketplace location?

Here are some of the reasons you might want to consider changing your Facebook Marketplace location.

Broader search areas

Sometimes, the items you’re interested in might not be available in your immediate vicinity. By changing your location, you can expand your search area to include nearby towns or cities, increasing your chances of finding what you want. 

On the other hand, if you’re a seller, changing your location to somewhere more populous could help you attract more buyers. This is especially useful if you’re willing to travel a bit to complete a sale.

Targeting local interests

People in certain areas might be more interested in buying and selling certain items. For example, if you are selling furniture items that would appeal to college students, changing your location to the nearest college town could help draw greater interest in your goods.

Relocation

If you’ve recently moved to a new area, updating your location will ensure that you see listings that are relevant and accessible in your new locale.

Travel

If you travel frequently or are planning a trip, changing your marketplace location in advance can help you buy items you can pick up during your travels.

Privacy

Perhaps you want to keep your exact location private to prevent people you interact with from finding out where you live. They are strangers on the internet, after all.

Read more: How to recover a hacked Facebook account

How can I change Facebook Marketplace location or country manually?

Changing your Facebook Marketplace location manually is surprisingly easy. Here’s how to do it on the app and website:

Step 1: Head to the Marketplace section of Facebook 

Step 2: Select the location at the top right corner of the Marketplace tab 

Step 3: A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to pick your desired location, town, or area 

Step 4: Save your selection and voila 

Do I need a VPN to change Facebook Marketplace location? 

No, you don’t need a VPN to change your Facebook Marketplace location. However, we recommend using a VPN whenever you’re online to increase your data security and make it harder for websites to track you. 

How do I change my privacy settings on Facebook Marketplace? 

Now that you’ve changed your location, consider adjusting your privacy settings on Facebook Marketplace to limit what people can know about you. The steps are the same on the Facebook site and in the app.

Step 1: Select your profile image 

Step 2: Select Settings & Privacy

Step 3: You’ll be presented with a list of options for various settings you can change

How to protect your privacy on Facebook Marketplace

Changing your Facebook Marketplace location is a great way to protect your privacy on the social media platform. However, there are other things you can do to enhance your privacy. 

1. Limit the personal information you share 

Be cautious about how much personal information you share in your listings or communication with potential buyers. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your full address, phone number, or financial details. 

While meeting up to trade can be seen as more private, arrange to meet in public and well-lit areas. Avoid meeting at one person’s home. Some communities have designated “safe exchange zones” near police stations for this purpose.

2. Check who you’re interacting with 

Before engaging with a buyer or seller, check their Facebook profile to gauge their legitimacy. Look for indicators of a real person, such as a history of activity. Be wary of new accounts with little to no activity. When checking a potential seller or buyer’s profile, make sure to read the reviews left by others about them as well; this should tell you more about them as well.

3. Secure your account settings 

Review your Facebook privacy settings to control who can see your posts and personal information like photos and who your friends are. Make sure your profile does not share sensitive information visible to the public. 

4. Avoid oversharing in your listings 

When creating a listing, be mindful of what’s visible in the photos. Don’t inadvertently share personal details like house numbers, car license plates, or other identifiable information through your photos. When photographing an item for a listing, place it against a neutral background, like a blank wall instead.

5. Use safe payment methods 

Use secure and traceable methods like Venmo or PayPal if the transaction involves online payment. This will allow you to report the transaction should something happen. Avoid transferring money directly into a seller’s bank account, and do not click on any links that a seller sends for payment (these could be malicious). For high-value items, consider meeting in person so you can inspect the item first and avoid getting fleeced.

6. Be aware of the typical scams that occur on Facebook

Be vigilant for common Facebook Marketplace scams. This includes overpayment scams, where a buyer sends a check for more than the item’s price and asks for the difference to be returned. If you encounter something suspicious or someone violates Facebook’s community standards, report it to Facebook.