Facebook Marketplace is one of the highest-volume secondhand selling platforms in the world — but it's also one of the laziest. Most sellers just type a vague title, set a random price, and slap up one blurry photo. That's actually great news for you, because even a little effort puts you miles ahead.

Here's how to write a Facebook Marketplace listing that gets real inquiries, fast.

Start with a title that matches how people search

Facebook Marketplace is a search-driven platform. When someone wants a dining table, they type "dining table" — not "furniture" or "selling stuff." Your title needs to match those search terms exactly.

A good Facebook Marketplace title has four parts: item type + brand or style + size or key detail + condition. For example:

Dyson V10 Cordless Vacuum — Excellent Condition
IKEA KALLAX 4x2 Shelf Unit — White, Like New
Pottery Barn Farmhouse Dining Table — Seats 6, Solid Wood

Skip punctuation tricks like ALL CAPS or excessive exclamation marks — they don't improve visibility and make your listing look spammy. Keep it under 80 characters so it shows fully in search results on mobile.

Set a price that gets clicks (not just inquiries)

Pricing on Facebook Marketplace is a balance between what you want and what will get you fast results. Most buyers expect to negotiate, so build in a small buffer — list at 10–15% above your actual bottom line.

Before you set a price, search Facebook Marketplace for the same item in your area. Look at active listings AND recently sold ones if you can. Sold listings tell you what buyers are actually paying, not just what sellers are hoping to get.

A few rules of thumb:

Items under $25 rarely get haggling — just set a firm fair price
For items over $100, expect to negotiate — set your price accordingly
"Free" and "OBO" (or best offer) dramatically increase message volume if you're in a hurry to move something
Local pickup only? Price slightly lower than shipped alternatives on eBay or Poshmark

Write a description buyers actually read

Most Facebook Marketplace descriptions are either blank or say something like "DM for more info." That's a missed opportunity. A short, specific description reduces the back-and-forth messaging that wastes everyone's time and builds trust with buyers who don't know you.

Here's a simple template:

What it is: One or two sentences on the item — brand, model, dimensions, color, material.

Condition: Be honest. Buyers can tell when they see it in person, and misrepresenting condition leads to bad experiences and wasted trips. "Minor scuff on the left side, not visible when in use" is better than pretending it's perfect.

Why you're selling: Optional, but it builds trust. "Moving to a smaller apartment" or "Upgraded to a newer model" feels genuine.

Pickup details: Where are you? Are you flexible on location? Will you hold with a deposit?

Example:

IKEA KALLAX 2x2 shelf unit in white. 77cm x 77cm. Light scratches on the top from a plant pot — photos included. Selling because we redecorated. Cash only, collection from Williamsburg. Can help carry to car.

That description answers every question a buyer would ask. Fewer questions = faster sale.

Photos make or break your listing

Facebook Marketplace shows your first photo as a thumbnail in search results. If that photo is dark, blurry, or shot from five feet away, buyers scroll past without a second thought.

Take your main photo in natural daylight — near a window, not under a yellow overhead light. Get close enough that the item fills the frame. Then take:

A full-length shot
A close-up of any wear, scuffs, or damage
The brand/model tag or label (especially for electronics, appliances, and furniture)
Any accessories included (cables, keys, cushions, etc.)

For large furniture, always include a size reference — a hand, a water bottle, or a measurement tape next to the item. Buyers can't judge scale from photos alone.

Pick the right category and condition

Miscategorized listings get less visibility. Spend the extra ten seconds selecting the right category — "Home & Garden > Furniture > Sofas" outperforms just dumping something in "Miscellaneous."

Facebook's condition labels mean different things to different people, but here's a loose guide:

New — Unopened, with tags
Like New — Used once or twice, no visible wear
Good — Normal use, minor signs of age
Fair — Functional but noticeably worn
Poor — Needs repair or has significant damage

When in doubt, go one level lower than you think — buyers appreciate honesty and it prevents complaints.

Respond fast and be direct

Facebook Marketplace rewards sellers who respond quickly. If you take 48 hours to reply to a message, the buyer has already bought from someone else.

Set notifications so you see messages immediately. When someone asks "Is this available?", don't just say yes — say "Yes, available this weekend. Can do Saturday afternoon in [area]. What works for you?" You're moving the conversation forward.

If you're getting low-ball offers, you don't have to accept — but be polite. "I'm firm at $X but happy to hold it if you want to pick it up this week" is better than ignoring the offer.

One shortcut that actually helps

Writing good listings from scratch is time-consuming, especially if you're clearing out a whole house or running a side hustle. Tools like Parlo can generate your title, description, and price estimate from a single photo in seconds — then let you copy it directly into Facebook Marketplace. Worth knowing about if you're listing more than a handful of items.

The bottom line

Good Facebook Marketplace listings aren't complicated — they're just specific. A clear title, honest condition notes, a fair price, and a few quality photos will separate you from 80% of other sellers. Put in fifteen minutes per listing and you'll spend a lot less time chasing buyers who never show up.