Change your Marketplace location in account settings
Facebook Marketplace uses the location tied to your account. To change where items appear for sale or what listings you see, go to your Facebook settings, find the location field under your profile information, and update it to the city or zip code you want. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours for Marketplace to show you different local listings.
You do not need a separate Marketplace account — the location you set in your main Facebook profile controls what Marketplace shows you. If you live in one place but work in another, you can update your location whenever you need to buy or sell in a different area.
The exact steps depend on whether you are using Facebook on a computer or phone, but the location field is always in the same place: your profile settings.
Key Takeaways
- Your Facebook profile location controls what Marketplace shows you and where your listings appear to buyers.
- Change your location by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and editing the City field.
- The change takes effect right away, though Marketplace may take a few hours to update the listings it shows you.
- You can change your location as often as you need — there is no limit to how many times you update it.
- Changing your location does not affect your account security or privacy settings elsewhere on Facebook.
Steps to change location on a computer
Open Facebook in a web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information.
Find the City field and click the pencil icon next to it. Type the new city or zip code where you want to buy or sell. Click Save. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change — click Confirm if the location is correct.
Once you save, go back to Marketplace and refresh the page. You should see listings from your new location within a few minutes, though it can take up to a few hours for all listings to update.
Steps to change location on your phone
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information.
Tap the City field and enter your new location. Tap Save. The app will confirm the change — tap Confirm to finish. Close the settings and open Marketplace to see listings from your new area.
On mobile, the update sometimes takes longer to show in Marketplace listings. If you still see listings from your old location after an hour, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again.
Why Marketplace uses your profile location
Marketplace shows you items for sale near you because most buyers and sellers want to meet locally or arrange pickup without shipping. Facebook uses your location to filter listings so you see what is actually available in your area instead of items from across the country.
When you list something for sale, your location appears on the listing so buyers know where to find you. Changing your location changes where your listings show up, which means different people will see them. If you sell something and then move, update your location so new listings appear in the right place.
What happens to your listings when you change location
If you have active listings for sale, changing your location moves those listings to the new area. Buyers in your old location will no longer see them, and buyers in your new location will start seeing them instead. This happens automatically — you do not need to relist anything.
If you have pending sales or messages from buyers about items you listed in your old location, those messages stay in your inbox. The buyer can still contact you and complete the purchase even though your location has changed. Your chat history does not disappear.
Using a different location temporarily
You can change your location as many times as you need. If you are traveling and want to buy or sell in a different city, update your location, use Marketplace, and then change it back when you leave. There is no waiting period between changes and no limit to how often you can update.
Some people change their location to browse listings in nearby cities without moving their profile permanently. This works, but remember that any listings you post will appear in the temporary location until you change it back. If you post something while traveling and forget to change your location back, your listings will stay in the wrong place.
Troubleshooting location changes that do not work
If you change your location but Marketplace still shows listings from your old area, clear your browser cache or force-close the Facebook app and reopen it. Sometimes the app holds onto old data and needs to refresh. Wait at least 30 minutes after changing your location before assuming it did not work.
If the City field in Personal Information is grayed out or will not let you edit it, you may have a business account or a restricted account. Try logging out completely, waiting five minutes, and logging back in. If the field is still locked, contact Facebook Support through the Help Center — this is rare but can happen if your account has been flagged for review.
Make sure you are typing a real city name or valid zip code. Facebook will not accept made-up locations or abbreviations it does not recognize. If you live in a small town, try entering the nearest larger city or your county name instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list items in multiple locations at once?
No. Your listings appear only in the location set on your profile. If you want to sell in multiple cities, you would need to change your location, post the item, change back, and post again — but this looks suspicious to Facebook and may get your account flagged. Most sellers pick one location and stick with it.
Does changing my Marketplace location change my location everywhere on Facebook?
Yes. The location field in your profile controls where you appear across all of Facebook — not just Marketplace. Changing it for Marketplace changes it for your profile, your friends list, and any other Facebook feature that uses location. If you want to hide your location from friends, you would need to change your privacy settings, not just your Marketplace location.
What if I do not want to show my exact city on Marketplace?
You have to list a city or zip code to use Marketplace — Facebook does not let you hide it. If you are concerned about privacy, you can enter a nearby larger city instead of your exact neighborhood, though this may reduce the number of local buyers who see your listings. You cannot use Marketplace without a location set on your profile.
How long does it take for my new location to show on my listings?
Usually a few minutes to an hour. Buyers searching in your new location should start seeing your items within that window. If your listings do not appear after two hours, refresh Marketplace or restart the app. In rare cases, Facebook takes up to 24 hours to update location data across all servers.
Can I change my location if I have a pending sale?
Yes, but the buyer can still contact you through your existing messages. Changing your location does not affect active chats or sales in progress. The buyer will see your new location on your profile, but they already have your contact information and can complete the purchase. Just let them know if the change affects pickup or delivery plans.