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How to Report and Avoid Scammers on Facebook Marketplace

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling.

Facebook Marketplace – the company’s e-commerce platform, has over one billion users. Needless to say, the platform has become the go-to place for many to sell and buy items. That said, you should still be careful, as scammers have also exploited the platform’s rising popularity. If you become a victim of such scams, use the steps below to report fake buyers or sellers on Facebook Marketplace.  

Facebook Marketplace is filled with scammers. You need to think twice before hitting the buy button or selling an item to strangers. Before we talk about the tips to avoid scams on Marketplace, let’s first go through the steps to report scammers on the platform.

How to Report a Buyer on Facebook Marketplace

When you post something on Marketplace, you may receive multiple offers from potential buyers. You can create a meet-up plan to finalize terms, payment details, and everything in a direct conversation on Messenger. If a buyer doesn’t show up, clear payment, or scam you in any other way, use the steps below to report them.

Step 1: Launch Facebook Messenger and go to Marketplace.

Step 2: Select a conversation with the buyer. Tap on the buyer’s name at the top.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap Report.

Step 4: You can select one of the following reasons to report a buyer.

• Deliberately low offer
• Didn’t show up
• Stopped responding
• Bullying and harassment (Verbal abuse, Sexual harassment, Humiliating or degrading content)

Step 5: Select the relevant reason and hit Submit report.

You can mute the conversation or block the person from contacting you again.

You should also contact local law enforcement and notify the Federal Trade Commission. Sometimes, a buyer will make a payment from a stolen credit card, which may land you in legal trouble in the future. You should always receive payments via Facebook’s approved channels like PayPal and Facebook Checkout (more on that later).

In some cases, buyers use fake checks and PayPal accounts to make a higher payment than the listed amount. After that, they will ask you to send back the extra payment. Once you return the overage amount, the actual fund will also vanish from your possession. So, be mindful of the same when you’re selling goods in Facebook Marketplace.

How to Report a Seller on Facebook Marketplace

Reporting a seller is mostly identical to the steps outlined above. Let’s quickly go through them. Let’s take the Facebook Marketplace web app as an example here.

Step 1: Head to Facebook and select Messenger at the top.

Step 2: Go to Marketplace.

Step 3: Select a conversation and click on the seller’s name at the top.

Step 4: Click Report. Select one of the following reasons.

• Already sold
• Inaccurate price or description
• Didn’t receive an item
• Bullying and harassment

Step 5: Select a reason and tap ‘Submit report’ from the subsequent menu.

What Happens When You Report a Scam on Facebook Marketplace

When you report a buyer or seller on Facebook Marketplace, the company verifies your claim and even contacts you for further information. Do note that all your reports are anonymous, and Facebook doesn’t notify a scammer when you report them.

You may even get your money back if you have used Facebook’s official payment method to complete the purchase on Marketplace.  

How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace

It’s important to stay vigilant when dealing with sketchy buyers on Facebook Marketplace . Here are some tips to sport and avoid scams on Marketplace.

• Avoid buyers and sellers with no profile photo. Check their profile once before contacting them. If it’s a new account with no posts, that’s a red flag.
• Stick to Facebook Messenger for conversations.
• Use Facebook-approved payment channels to send or receive money. Don’t pay with gift cards, as Facebook can’t track them.
• Meet the buyer or seller during day hours and in public places.
• Set up fraud alerts on your bank’s credit card.
• Immediately decline overpayments.
• Never pay before you receive a shipping number.
• Closely inspect the item before buying it.

Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Use Facebook Marketplace to Its Full Potential

Getting scammed is the last thing you want when you buy or sell stuff on Facebook Marketplace. You should keep the tips above in mind whenever you trade something on Facebook’s commerce platform. If you frequently run into suspicious listings or buyers, report them to Facebook and keep them away from the platform.

Did you become a victim of one of such scams on Facebook? Share your experience with others in the comments below.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 01 February, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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Don't Get Scammed! Facebook Marketplace scams you should avoid

April 18, 2024

Facebook Marketplace has exploded in popularity, becoming the go-to platform for millions of people looking to buy, sell, or trade various items locally. From clothing and furniture to bikes and cars, Marketplace's hyper-local focus connects buyers and sellers right in their own neighborhoods with incredible ease and at no cost.

This convenience and zero fees have made Facebook Marketplace the most popular social commerce platform, with over 51% of social media consumers making their most recent purchase through Facebook's shopping channels. However, Marketplace's massive user base, low barriers to entry, and lack of robust vetting procedures have also made it an attractive hunting ground for scammers.

Did you know?

• In an average month, up to 1.228 billion online shoppers buy something on Facebook Marketplace.
• Up to 40% of Facebook's 3.07 billion monthly active users shop on Marketplace,
• An estimated 491 million, or 16% of active users, log in to Facebook for the sole purpose of shopping on Facebook Marketplace.
• 250 million sellers worldwide use Facebook Marketplace.

(Source: capitaloneshopping.com )

Common Signs of Facebook Marketplace Scams to Watch Out For. Check New Profiles Twice

It is common for scammers to create new accounts on Facebook Marketplace to avoid getting caught and remain anonymous. These accounts often have no established histories or reviews, making it difficult to verify their authenticity. Therefore, we recommend that you carefully examine the profile of any potential buyer or seller before engaging in any transaction to ensure their legitimacy.

Here is what to look for:

· Minimal Information: Be cautious of accounts with little to no information in their profile, such as a lack of profile picture, personal details, or activity history.

· Recently Created Accounts: Accounts created within the past few months raise suspicion as scammers often use new accounts for their schemes.

· Lack of Reviews or Ratings: Legitimate buyers and sellers on Facebook Marketplace tend to have reviews or ratings from previous transactions. Accounts without any reviews or ratings should be approached with caution.

· Suspicious Account Names: Watch out for accounts with names that appear randomly generated, contain unusual characters, or seem unrelated to the individual's identity.

· Inconsistent or Contradictory Information: If the information provided by the account holder seems inconsistent or contradictory, it could be a sign of a scam attempt.

While a new account alone does not necessarily indicate a scam, be cautious before engaging in any transactions. It's best to avoid the transaction altogether if the account holder's responses or behavior seem suspicious, such as offering very low prices, requesting prepaid shipping labels, asking for personal information, or asking to pay with gift cards, checks, money orders, untraceable payment method and immediate interest in the transaction.

Here are the most common Facebook Marketplace scams to watch out for:

A good experience buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace starts with identifying those who may want to ruin it. Whether you're the buyer or the seller, you should be aware of some common scams on Facebook Marketplace. Knowing and avoiding these fraudulent schemes helps you protect yourself and your money.

Scams that target buyers

Fake Listings and Non-Existent Items. One of the most common scams on Facebook Marketplace involves fraudsters creating counterfeit listings for items that don't exist. These scammers use attractive listings with unrealistically low prices to entice buyers. Once the payment is made, the scammer disappears without ever sending the promised item.

Fake or Compromised Accounts. Scammers often operate using fake accounts created solely for carrying out their schemes. In some cases, they may hijack and use accounts that initially belonged to real people. These accounts may have minimal information, activity history, or reviews, making them appear suspicious.

Bait and Switch Tactics. Fraudsters may advertise desirable items at great prices to lure potential buyers. However, when inquired about the advertised product, they claim it's suddenly unavailable and offer a more expensive replacement instead.

Fake Giveaways and Contests. You receive messages claiming you've won giveaways or contests. These are often ploys to steal your personal information or trick you into clicking malicious links. In some cases, scammers may demand payment for supposed "shipping fees" for the non-existent prizes.

Non-Delivery Scams. Scammers sellers list items they never intend to ship to buyers. After receiving payment, they disappear without ever sending the promised item. They may even attempt to defraud multiple buyers with a single false listing or sometimes no item at all.

Fraudulent Payment Methods. Scammers frequently try to coerce sellers into accepting unconventional payment methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, or peer-to-peer paying apps such as Zelle and Venmo . These methods are often untraceable and difficult to reverse, making them ideal for scammers to avoid detection and impossible for buyers to get back any money.

Faulty Product Scams. These scams come in two forms: sellers knowingly selling malfunctioning products and then disappearing after payment or buyers claiming to have received faulty items and demanding refunds without returning the product.

Rental Scams. Rental scams involve fake listings for apartments, properties, equipment, or tools, where scammers demand upfront payments or deposits. They may even ask for personal information like social security numbers under the guise of lease agreements or applications.

Advance Payment Scams. Scammers use high-demand items like vehicles to pressure buyers into making advance payments or deposits to reserve the item. They often create a false sense of urgency, claiming multiple offers or that the item will sell quickly.

Related: How to tell whether a Facebook ad is a scam. A closer look at the airport luggage sale fraud

Scams Targeting Sellers

Overpayment Scams. In this scam, the buyer intentionally overpays for an item and then requests the seller to refund the excess amount or pay a fake shipping company. However, the scammer's payment will eventually be reversed, leaving the seller at a loss.

Lost Package Claims. Some scammers will receive the item but claim they never received it, exploiting buyer protection policies. To safeguard against this, opt for shipping methods that require a signature upon delivery and provide tracking.

Fake Tracking Numbers. Scammers provide fake online tracking numbers to create the illusion that an item has been shipped when it hasn't, leaving the buyer without the purchased product.

Phishing Attempts. Scammers may send malicious links disguised as payment or shipping information to steal personal or financial data.

Impersonating Customer Service. Fraudsters may impersonate customer service representatives, claiming issues with an account or transaction to trick sellers into providing sensitive information or making payments.

QR Code Scams. Legitimate transactions on Facebook Marketplace do not require QR codes. Any request to scan a QR code should be considered a potential scam attempt to steal information or money.

To avoid becoming a victim of scams, follow some simple rules:

- For local transactions, try to meet the seller in person and inspect the item before making the payment.

- Use secure payment methods like PayPal or cash for in-person transactions.

- Never share your personal or financial information with someone you don't know or trust.

- Be cautious of deals that appear too good to be true and verify the seller's identity and reputation.

Related: Hackers Could Have Taken Over Your Facebook Account Using This Trick

I Got Scammed on Facebook Marketplace - What Can I Do?

If you've fallen victim to a scam on Facebook Marketplace, it's essential to take prompt action to minimize potential losses and prevent further harm. Here are some steps you should take:

1. Report the Scam to Facebook

Report the scammer's account, listing, and any messages or interactions to Facebook Marketplace. Provide as much detail as possible, including screenshots, transaction details, and any other relevant information. This will help Facebook investigate and take appropriate action against the scammer.

2. Contact Your Payment Provider

If you paid through a secure payment method like PayPal or a credit card, contact the provider immediately and initiate a dispute or claim. Explain the situation in detail and provide any supporting evidence you have. Many payment providers offer buyer protection programs that may help you recover your funds.

3. Report to Relevant Authorities

Depending on the nature and extent of the scam, you should report it to the appropriate authorities, such as your local police department or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. Provide them with all the details and evidence you have.

4. Change Your Passwords and Monitor Your Accounts

If you have shared any personal or financial information with a scammer, it is important to take immediate action to protect yourself. Start by changing the passwords on all accounts that may have been affected. Monitor your accounts closely for any signs of unauthorized activity, and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports. Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection is a useful tool to help you keep an eye on your personal data and detect any suspicious activity. Remember, scammers may not use the stolen information right away, so it is important to stay vigilant and keep monitoring your accounts for an extended period of time.

5. Spread Awareness

Share your experience with others to raise awareness about the specific scam you encountered. Post warnings in relevant Facebook groups or forums, and encourage others to be cautious when using Facebook Marketplace or similar platforms.

6. Seek Legal Assistance

If the scam involved a significant financial loss, consider consulting with a lawyer to explore your legal options. They can advise you on the best action and help you pursue any available legal remedies.

7. Use Scamio to Spot Potential Scams

Scamio is a tool that helps you identify scams and scammers online. You can use it to check Facebook profiles, listings, offers, QR codes or any text or situation to see if they might be a scam.

To use Scamio , just send it the texts, links, photos, QR codes or the description of what you want it to check. Scamio will then compare that information to its database of known scams and it will let you know if there is a risk that the thing you checked is a potential scam.

You can start chatting with Scamio right now, it is completely free, and you can access it on any device or operating system via your web browser , WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger .

Cristina POPOV

Cristina is a freelance writer and a mother of two living in Denmark. Her 15 years experience in communication includes developing content for tv, online, mobile apps, and a chatbot.

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A lot of second-hand selling has moved from garage sales to sites like Facebook Marketplace, but while they can be convenient places to find great deals, there are some safety steps you need to take before finalizing a sale.

People buy all kinds of things from their neighbors on Facebook.

"I actually bought a car on Marketplace," said Facebook user Michelle Concha.

While buying a car from a stranger online might not typically be recommended, Concha said she had done her homework.

"Because we had people in common in the area, I felt actually more secure about buying the car from that person," she said.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<

Along with the good deals you can find on social media, you can also get scammed. According to Consumer Reports, people have lost more than $2.7 billion to social media scams since 2021. Some scammers lurking on Facebook Marketplace aren't after your money; they want your data.

Consumer Reports provided some tips to stay safe while using Facebook Marketplace. First, never share personal information such as your address, email or phone number. Only communicate through Facebook Messenger.

Second, think about where the sale will take place. Meet in a public, well-lit area, and never give away your home address. Consider meeting at a police station. Some even have designated parking spots where Marketplace meet-ups are watched by security cameras.

Third, never exchange cash. Facebook Marketplace recommends a secure person-to-person payment method. But even with those, Consumer Reports said you should still take care to prevent payment mistakes.

"You always want to make sure that you're sending money to the right person before you send the full amount," said Lisa Gill, of Consumer Reports. "So, here's one tip. Send a $1 test payment first, then make sure that that person received it."

For large purchases, like the car that Concha bought, pay the old-fashioned way and get a cashier's check.

Finally, Consumer Reports warned not to buy a used infant or child car seat. You won't know if the seat has been involved in a crash, and if the labels and instructions aren't available, you can't easily check for recalls or the seat's expiration date.

IRS Starts to Crack Down on Online Marketplaces—What About Facebook?

Facebook Marketplace is one of the many online marketplaces where people sell or resell their items. Does the marketplace report to the IRS?

Jan. 3 2022, Published 2:46 p.m. ET

Facebook Marketplace has been a unique and modern marketplace in recent years. It allows users to make profits from selling various items. Whether it was managing a side hustle or operating a small business, online marketplaces have provided business opportunities for consumers around the world without having to pay hefty taxes. However, there's a new ruling that could impact how sellers are taxed.

Depending on a seller’s annual sales on an online marketplace, they would have to report the sale on a Form 1099-K. However, many sellers didn't have to fill out this form or didn't face pressure from the IRS to file these forms. With a new 1099-K rule in place, online sellers across the U.S. could be impacted and have to pay certain taxes that they weren’t before.

Why are online marketplaces reporting to the IRS?

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in March. The bill made some changes to Form 1099-K requirements , which apply to those who sell items online. The form is used to report eligible card transactions as well as transactions through third-party platforms like online marketplaces.

In January 2022, the new Form 1099-K rule is that all annual online transactions over $600 must be reported. Items that are sold for a profit will be taxable, while items that are sold for a loss won’t be taxable but still need to be reported. The previous 1099-K guidelines required that sellers with at least 200 transactions that totaled over $20,000 in sales must be reported. This will still apply to those filing 2022 tax returns. The new rules will apply to 2023 and future returns.

How does Facebook Marketplace compares to other online marketplaces?

Facebook Marketplace tends to be the forgotten online marketplace when it comes to ranking the top marketplaces across the internet. The marketplace is still fairly new to its competitors. Facebook Marketplace didn’t officially launch until 2016, while similar brands like Etsy and eBay have been around for more than a decade. Facebook had buy and sell options for its users before 2016, but it wasn’t promoted or branded as much as the other services the platform offers.

Amazon is the largest online marketplace in the U.S. with more than 2 billion online visits per month in 2021, according to Statista . eBay is ranked second in monthly visits with nearly 689 million, while Walmart has 389 million monthly visits and Etsy has 238 million.

Facebook Marketplace doesn’t rank highly with these competitors, but Facebook is a global force. Facebook has the seventh-largest market cap in the world at approximately $943 billion, according to Companies Market Cap .

If you sell more than $600 on mercari, eBay, Etsy, Facebook marketplace, you will be required to fill out a W-9 and your “income” will be reported to the IRS in 2022. You will need to show prof of selling an item for a loss to avoid paying income taxes. https://t.co/Gvi3dyzTh1 — TMNTturtleguy (@TMNTturtleguy) December 17, 2021

Facebook Marketplace is constantly growing and becoming more reliable for small businesses.

In 2021, Facebook Marketplace reached a milestone of 1 billion users. There were more than 250 million online merchants on the platform, according to Engadget . Some marketplaces, including Facebook, have their own niche of consumers or unique services that tend to stick out from other platforms.

eBay generates a large portion of its online transactions from resale items. For example, users buy exclusive merchandise for its original retail price and then resell it on the platform for a much higher price. Etsy focuses more on hand-made and small boutique items like custom jewelry and accessories.

On Facebook Marketplace, you can find nearly anything you’re looking for. While Amazon and eBay offer a plethora of consumer items, Facebook Marketplace takes it a step further by offering things like apartments, houses, as well as new and used vehicles.

Facebook Marketplace has essentially replaced Craigslist.

Facebook Marketplace has many similarities to Craigslist, mainly because both platforms allow small business owners and other sellers to offer a unique variety of items and services. Even though Craigslist was one of the first online marketplaces, it has steadily fallen behind its competitors.

The reasons for Craigslist's decline can be mainly attributed to its inefficiency to adapt with the times. Craigslist’s website is very out of date and it can be difficult to navigate through the website. It took 24 years for the company to develop a mobile app and it wasn’t released until 2019. As Facebook Marketplace continues to become more popular than Craigslist, the platform could catch up to its other competitors soon.

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How to create a Facebook analytics report 

Before we give you the free template, let’s go over step-by-step how to create a monthly Facebook analytics report:

The first thing to do before creating your report is establish your Facebook goals and key performance indicators ( KPIs ). Think carefully about what you’d like to achieve from your Facebook marketing strategy and come up with manageable numbers around each goal. 

For example, if your goal is to grow your presence, one thing you might want to track is your follower count and get 100 new followers each month. 

Now that you know what you want to achieve, it’s time to start collecting data. There are three main ways to do this: Facebook Insights, third-party analytics tools, and manual tracking. 

We suggest using a Facebook analytics tool to gather your data. This will make it easier to gather vital insights on things like general performance, engagement, and growth over time.

The next step is to analyze the numbers. Your goal is to figure out where you’re excelling and what you can do better. If you know which type of posts do well and when to maximize your engagement, you can continue growing your Facebook account at a steady pace. 

Once you’ve collected and analyzed your Facebook data, it’s time to create a monthly report. You’ll want to make sure key metrics are tracked and reported here so you and the rest of your team can reference them during social media brainstorming sessions. 

The final step of the process involves comparing your monthly reports to the goals and KPIs you established at the beginning of this process. It’s a good idea to adjust your strategy based on how you’re doing. 

For example, if you consistently exceed your 100 follower count goal, try setting a higher goal of 150 for the following month. These evaluations and adjustments will help you fine-tune your Facebook marketing strategy. 

If you’re here for the free Facebook analytic template, look no further! We’ve put together a great free template you can use to make life easier:

Here’s how to start using it today:

First, open our free monthly Facebook analytics report template. In just a few clicks, you can customize it to meet your specific needs. If you’d like to make one from scratch, that’s also an option. 

The next step is to plug in your Facebook metrics. Don’t forget to include the dates so you know the timeframe you’re tracking. 

Look over the data and try to find any noticeable patterns or trends. In many cases, these trends can help you figure out which part of your strategy is working and where you can improve. 

Finally, use the data to make an actionable plan. Facebook and social media marketing, in general, rely on concrete information. If you understand how people are engaging with your account, you can come up with posts and other types of content that meet their needs and keep them invested in your brand. 

If you’re not using a third-party tool to create your monthly Facebook analytics reports, you could benefit from Keyhole! Our advanced profile & competitive analysis tool allows you to easily measure and grow all of your social media accounts in one place.

With a few clicks, you can input your data from Facebook and other social sites so you can figure out which posts and content perform the best, which can help you replicate your success.

You can also optimize your social presence based on actionable data. Our reporting will help you figure out the best time to post so you can maximize clicks and engagement. 

And if you’re interested in tracking your competitors, we have something for that! Our competitor analysis tool will help you access any and every competitor in one easy-to-use dashboard. Keyhole also makes it easy to see which posts are doing well so you can start brainstorming for your next social media campaign. 

If you’re ready to experience these benefits and more, we have you covered!

Creating a monthly Facebook analytics report shouldn’t be intimidating or time-consuming. The information packed into these reports can help you track your performance and adjust based on engagement, conversions, and much more.

With a tool like Keyhole, you can quickly and easily create Facebook reports with minimal effort and maximum benefit. Once you have these reports, it’s much easier to make the right choices for your business.

We are confident that with patience and persistence, you can exceed  your Facebook marketing goals and take your brand to new heights. 

Syed Balkhi is the founder of WPBeginner , the largest free WordPress resource site. With over 10 years of experience, he’s the leading WordPress expert in the industry. You can learn more about Syed and his portfolio of companies by following him on his social media networks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You can boost brand awareness, engagement, clicks to your website as well as optimize content and campaigns for your target audience.

You should track metrics like your reach, mentions, engagement rates, audience demographics, and top posts.

Yes, it’s possible to manually collect and sort through your analytics. However, this is time consuming and not always accurate.

One of the best ways to get better results from Facebook is to track and analyze your data. Figure out what you’re doing right, and where you can improve. Use this information to slowly evolve your strategy.

I love Facebook Marketplace. But can Mark Zuckerberg please fix this one thing?

• Facebook Marketplace is the best part about Facebook, as everyone knows.
• But the default message to send to a seller — "Hi, is this available?" — drives sellers up a wall.
• AI could improve this message, but for now, you'll have better luck if you customize it yourself. 

I feel confident few will disagree that Facebook Marketplace is the best part of Facebook . Its purpose is clear and useful. It's not trying to radicalize anyone or start fights. It's just a place to score a great deal on a used coffee table.

Mark Zuckerberg's Marketplace is so successful at connecting people with vintage lamps that even Gen Z is sticking around Facebook just to use Marketplace.

I've bought and sold lots of stuff there — a rug, a patio-table set, a matching set of pink armchairs (free!), an upcycled, refurbished dresser. I love a bargain — and I feel virtuous about shopping sustainably when buying used.

However, there's one part of this Xanadu of cheap sofas and bins of used Magna-Tiles that is a fly in the ointment. There's one feature that is meant to help, but instead sows discord and chaos.

'Hi, is this available?' is driving people crazy

When starting to communicate with a seller, you're given a prewritten suggestion for a message to send: "Hi, is this available?"

In theory, this is useful — a way to start the conversation. (You don't have to use this phrase. It's possible to erase it and write something new, but most people will probably just click send with the prewritten message.)

Sellers HATE this. If you've ever sold anything on Marketplace, you may be familiar with what happens: You immediately get flooded with 10-plus messages from people all saying, "Hi, is this available?"

And half of them go silent after you reply. It can be hard to manage multiple potential buyers in a way that seems fair — you can do first come, first served, but if the first person stops replying, at what point do you move on to the next? Buyers can be flaky — sometimes, they'll plan to pick something up and then never show. It can be frustrating!

And most frustrating, the question doesn't even really make sense: Sellers can mark an item as "pending" or "sold." So that already answers the question.

Something I see all the time — especially on expensive or bulky items, which tend to sit around longer — is that sellers will add into their descriptions a plea to stop asking if an item is still available.

Like in these examples:

I notice these messages most often on the kinds of items that don't move as quickly, either because they're expensive or they're large, like a couch or bed or something that would require a truck to transport.

There's a solution to the Facebook Marketplace issue

There's a fix for this buried deep, deep, deep in the Marketplace user settings. You can customize that default message so you won't be sending the same old "Hi, is this available?" message that sellers are so sick of.

To edit the field to add a new, custom message, go into Marketplace and click on the little person icon at the top corner.

Scroll all the way down to "settings."

And then "set a custom message" at the bottom.

I recommend something that's friendly but cuts to the chase about arranging the actual purchase.

I use: "Hi! I'm interested, when can you arrange pickup?"

If it's a hot item with a lot of interest, a message like that will shoot you ahead of other would-be buyers.

Meta could use AI for Marketplace

Meta's ambitions for artificial intelligence are much grander than solving a vague annoyance when trying to sell a used coffee table. But this does seem like a perfect use case for generative-AI text — much more useful than the odd celebrity-avatar chatbots they launched in Messenger last year.

According to a recent Meta blog post about AI, it's testing AI on Marketplace "to help people learn more about the products they're considering buying and easily find related or alternative items."

On Marketplace, there's something nice and quaint about buying and selling used stuff from your neighbors.

Unlike screens and social media, it brings you in person with your community. I've had wonderful experiences on Marketplace: trading sleep tips from a fellow mom who was getting rid of the sleep sacks her baby no longer used, chatting with an older couple selling a patio chair.

Improbably, I met one of my closest mom friends when she came to pick up a printer I had put on our Buy Nothing group.

Making the communication between buyer and seller even better seems like one of the best use cases for generative AI. And connecting more people with more used chairs is a noble goal.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

Meta earnings: Stock decline could wipe out about $200 billion in market cap

Facebook parent meta platforms reported first-quarter earnings after wednesday's closing bell. marketwatch broke down the results live..

Meta earnings results: shares tumble 17% after hours despite beating estimates; stock down on weak revenue guidance

• Meta reported first-quarter earnings on Wednesday.
• Mark Zuckerberg talked about Meta's plans to invest more in AI.
• Shares tumbled 17% in after-hours trading.

Meta reported first-quarter earnings on Wednesday after the closing bell.

The company reported revenue and earnings-per-share that beat consensus analyst estimates. But shares slid after Meta gave a range for second-quarter sales that was on the light side of forecasts and said it's going to spend more than it expected this year.

The report is Meta's first without monthly- and daily-average-user numbers specifically broken out for Facebook. The company instead reported overall "Family of Apps" results that also included Instagram and WhatsApp . The combined group saw $36 billion of revenue, beating the consensus estimate of $35.5 billion.

Meta's stock fell as much as 17% in after-hours trading, having slipped 0.5% on Wednesday. It had previously gained a robust 39% in 2024.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg's main focus on the investor call was Meta's plans to invest more significantly in AI. He also hyped up the company's recent partnership with Ray-Ban.

Meta's stock shows no sign of recovery as the Q&A ends.

Shares remain down nearly 17% in after-hours trading as the call draws to a close.

Meta CFO Susan Li is pretty tight-lipped about TikTok

Li says Meta has been following the potential for a TikTok ban closely, but it's too soon to comment on how it could impact Meta's business — for example, Instagram Reels.

The call moves on to the Q&A portion

Time for investors and analysts to (try to) get more details.

Zuckerberg appears to take a dig at Apple's Vision Pro

Zuckerberg hypes up Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses. The company introduced new styles and features on Tuesday.

"You know, I used to think that AR glasses wouldn't really be a mainstream product until we had full holographic displays. And I still think that that's gonna be awesome and is the long-term mature state for the product. But now, it seems pretty clear that there's also a meaningful market for fashionable AI glasses without a display," he says.

It could be seen as a dig at Apple's Vision Pro headset, which has been accused of being clunky and uncomfortable. Or it could just be another step forward in Zuck's recent fashion journey .

Zuckerberg starts the call by getting straight into Meta's AI plans and spending

He says the company plans to invest "significantly more" in AI, but warns it will take "several years" to build "the leading AI."

"Realistically, even with shifting many of our existing resources to focus on AI, we will still grow our investment envelope meaningfully before we make much revenue from some of these new products," he says.

The CEO says Meta has a "strong track record of monetizing" its work, especially after spending time building up its products over time. But that doesn't seem to reassure investors right now, with shares slumping even further in postmarket trading.

The call kicks off.

Mark Zuckerberg and CFO Susan Li are here to discuss the results.

Meta's AI plans are going to cost them more than they expected.

Heading into the call, investors were looking for news about Meta's future AI plans, but — whatever they are — they're going to cost way more than the company predicted just a few months ago.

"Our full-year 2024 capital expenditures will be in the range of $35-40 billion, increased from our prior range of $30-37 billion as we continue to accelerate our infrastructure investments to support our artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap," the report says, noting Meta plans to "invest aggressively to support our ambitious AI research and product development efforts."

Total expenses will be in the range of $96-99 billion, up from a prior $94-99 billion forecast due to higher infrastructure and legal costs.

Still, Max Willens, senior analyst at market research firm Emarketer, a sister company to Business Insider, says it's not surprising Meta changed its guidance.

"Companies investing in this space, especially at the scope Meta is investing in it, may struggle with costs in the near term," Willens says.

Meta stock falls 10% in after-hours training after light 2nd-quarter revenue forecast.

Meta beats 1st-quarter sales and EPS estimates, but issues weaker-than-expected 2nd-quarter guidance.

1st quarter

Revenue: $36.46 billion, +27% y/y, estimate $36.12 billion

Advertising revenue: $35.64 billion, +27% y/y, estimate $35.57 billion

Family of Apps revenue: $36.02 billion, +27% y/y, estimate $35.53 billion

Reality Labs revenue: $440 million, +30% y/y, estimate $494.1 million

Other revenue: $380 million, +85% y/y, estimate $300.1 million

Family of Apps operating income: $17.66 billion, +57% y/y, estimate $17.76 billion

Reality Labs operating loss: $3.85 billion, -3.7% y/y, estimate loss $4.51 billion

Operating margin: 38% vs. 25% y/y, estimate 37.2%

EPS: $4.71 vs. $2.20 y/y, estimate $4.30

Average Family service users per day: 3.24 billion, +7.3% y/y, estimate 3.16 billion

2nd quarter

Revenue: $36.5 billion to $39 billion, estimate $38.24 billion

Goldman Sachs says Meta's platforms offer 'sizable opportunity' ahead.

Meta looks geared for strength as it's a key beneficiary of a robust advertising environment, Goldman Sachs said.

The bank expects continued investment in digital channels, advertiser verticals to recover, and digital products to expand, such as short-form video monetization.

Meta's Instagram Reels is a prime example of this, with the platform reaching revenue neutrality

"We still see a sizable opportunity for Reels to remain a key revenue growth tailwind for META in the coming years as the CPM gap closes further and as Reels continues to increase as a % of total ad impressions," analysts led by Eric Sheridan said.

Goldman Sachs rates Meta at "Buy" and holds a 12-month price target of $555.

JPMorgan sees Meta as 'built for the long term.'

JPMorgan considers Meta one of its top picks among internet stocks for its scale, growth, and profitability.

"We believe Meta's virtual ownership of the social graph, strong competitive moat, and focus on the user experience position it to become an enduring blue-chip company built for the long term," analysts led by Doug Anmuth wrote last week.

The bank expects Meta advertising to continue outperforming, bolstered by AI investments and Instagram Reels revenue expansions. Cost discipline will continue on through 2024, even if investments start rising.

Still, the bank did note some room for concern after this quarter's earnings, as Meta may need to find new catalysts for further expansion.

"META remains well-owned, but there is growing caution into earnings on almost-certain growth deceleration beyond 1Q due to tough comps & perception of lack of new drivers vs. '23. We believe slower growth is well-anticipated, & likely taken into account in META's undemanding multiple," the bank wrote.

JPMorgan rates Meta at "Overweight" with a $535 price target.

Wells Fargo says AI upside is accelerating Meta's growth.

Meta is an accelerating growth story led by emerging AI upside, uplifting everything from the firm's ad tools to consumer messaging products, Wells Fargo said.

The bank projects above-consensus revenue growth, with Meta boosted higher by a healthy e-commerce environment.

"Combined with a newfound appetite for efficiency, we believe META should be a steady earnings compounder at a reasonable multiple," analysts led by Ken Gawrelski said.

However, revenue could moderate into the second-quarter, and Meta will have to demonstrate another product-cycle catalyst to keep momentum rolling, the bank wrote.

"We view WhatsApp as an under-appreciated asset w/ sizable potential, should Meta invoke more direct monetization beyond Click-to-Message ads," Gawrelski wrote.

Wells Fargo rates Meta at "Overweight" with a $600 price target.

RBC Capital spotlights Meta's growing lead in the ad business.

The Canadian bank touted a significant ramp up in ad volumes across Meta services, with Instagram Reels advertising taking center stage.

In fact, ad loads on Reels jumped 22% from January's 16.4%, outpacing declining volumes among competitors such as TikTok.

"While slower growth out of Facebook is to be expected going forward, we believe few others in the space can come close to matching META's scale for incremental spend, and we therefore expect META to at least maintain share going forward," analysts led by Brad Erickson wrote last Thursday.

The bank also considers Meta to be trading at a discount to the broader internet segment, a gap that will persist or narrow based on whether the firm can demonstrate stability in the ad business.

However, some pullback could occur in the first half of the year given China's economic slowdown, which could impact ad spending. Still, the firm offers other positives, analysts said.

RBC rates Meta at "Outperform" with a $600 price target.

Bank of America sees Meta's AI assets as under-appreciated.

Bank of America expects to see upside in Meta's first-quarter report, citing higher ad spending that was boosted by seasonal events, such as Easter.

Meanwhile, Meta's AI assets remain under-appreciated, and the firm will benefit by highlight its growing capabilities in the space, the bank said in a note last week.

"We remain positive on Meta and reiterate our thesis that Reels, Messaging, and AI driven ad improvements are still early, and could lead to positive product surprises & revenue momentum in 2024," analysts Justin Post and Nitin Bansal said.

Meta also looks to be the biggest winner amid a possible TikTok ban , which has now made its way through the Senate.

Bank of America rates Meta at "Buy" with a $550 price target.

Meta's consensus first-quarter revenue estimate is $36.12 billion.

Revenue estimate: $36.12 billion

Advertising rev. estimate: $35.57 billion

Family of Apps revenue estimate: $35.52 billion

Reality Labs revenue estimate: $494.1 million

Other revenue estimate: $286.4 million

Adjusted operating income estimate: $13.45 billion

Family of Apps operating income estimate: $17.76 billion

Reality Labs operating loss estimate: $4.52 billion

Operating margin estimate: 37.2%

EPS estimate: $4.30

Facebook daily active users estimate: 2.11 billion

Facebook monthly active users estimate: 3.08 billion

Ad impressions estimate: +17.1%

Average price per ad estimate: +5.85%

Average Family service users per day estimate: 3.16 billion

Average Family service users per month estimate: 3.97 billion

Revenue estimate: $38.24 billion

Full-year 2024

Total expenses estimate: $96.87 billion

Capital expenditure estimate: $34.5 billion

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Gas Market Report, Q2-2024

About this report

Natural gas markets remained relatively calm over the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere winter. Asian and European spot gas prices fell to pre-crisis levels in Q1 2024, while in the United States Henry Hub prices plummeted to multi-decade lows. Improving supply fundamentals together with high storage levels and unseasonably mild weather kept natural gas markets stable over the 2023/24 heating season. 1 While the 2023/24 gas winter was milder on average, it was accompanied by severe cold spells and gas demand spikes, which highlighted the importance of gas supply flexibility for energy security.

After rebalancing in 2023, natural gas markets are expected to return to stronger demand growth in 2024, primarily driven by the industrial and power sectors in the fast-growing economies of Asia. The continued expansion of renewables and improving nuclear availability are likely to weigh on gas-fired power generation in mature markets. High storage levels could contribute to the further easing of market fundamentals over the 2024 summer.

Geopolitical tensions represent the greatest risk to the short-term outlook. LNG trade has halted across the Red Sea since the start of the year, while Russia's ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure including storage persist. In this context, security of supply for natural gas remains a key aspect of energy policy making and the risks related to our outlook highlight the need to strengthen international co-operation, including in assessing and implementing flexibility options along gas and LNG value chains.    

This edition of the quarterly Gas Market Report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) provides a thorough review of market developments over the 2023/24 heating season and a short-term outlook for 2024. As part of the IEA’s Low-Emissions Gases Work Programme , the report includes a section on policy and regulatory developments aiming to stimulate demand for biomethane, low-emissions hydrogen and e-methane.

Online table of contents

1.0 executive summary.

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The heating season (or gas winter) in the markets of the Northern Hemisphere refers to the period between 1 October and 31 March.

Reference 1

Previous editions, cite report.

IEA (2024), Gas Market Report, Q2-2024 , IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/gas-market-report-q2-2024, Licence: CC BY 4.0

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