Change your location in the Marketplace settings

Facebook Marketplace uses your account location to show you items for sale near you and to let sellers know where you are. To change it, open Facebook on your phone or computer, go to Marketplace, tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to "Settings," and select "Locations." From there you can add a new location, remove an old one, or set which location appears as your primary address to other users.

The location you set in Marketplace is separate from your main Facebook profile location. Changing one does not automatically change the other. If you want both to match, you will need to update your profile location separately in your main account settings.

Keep in mind that Marketplace uses your location to filter search results for both buyers and sellers. If you set a location far from where you actually live, you may see items that are not practical to pick up, or sellers may not respond to your messages because the distance is too great.

Key Takeaways

  • Marketplace location is found in the Settings menu within Marketplace itself, not in your main Facebook profile settings.
  • You can add multiple locations and choose which one shows to other users as your primary address.
  • Changing your Marketplace location does not change your Facebook profile location—you must update both separately if you want them to match.
  • Sellers and buyers use your location to decide whether a transaction is worth the travel time, so setting an accurate location helps you find items nearby and get faster responses.
  • If you move to a new city or travel frequently, you can update your Marketplace location as often as you need.

Why Marketplace uses your location

Marketplace shows items for sale based on how far they are from the location you set. When you search for something, the app filters results by distance—typically showing items within 5, 10, 25, or 50 miles, depending on what you choose. Without a location set, Marketplace cannot narrow down results to items you can actually reach.

Your location also tells sellers where you are. When you message a seller or they message you, they can see your general area. This helps both of you decide whether the item is worth meeting up for. A seller listing a heavy piece of furniture may not want to ship it across the country, and you may not want to drive two hours for a used book.

Steps to change your location on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap "Marketplace." Once you are in Marketplace, tap the menu icon again (three lines) in the bottom right corner of the Marketplace section. Scroll down to "Settings" and tap it.

In Settings, look for "Locations" and tap it. You will see any locations you have already added. To add a new location, tap "Add Location" and type in the city, neighborhood, or address you want to use. To remove a location, swipe left on it and tap "Delete." To change which location appears to other users, tap the location you want to make primary—it will move to the top of your list.

After you make your changes, tap "Done" or go back to Marketplace. The new location will take effect right away, and your search results will update to show items near your new address.

Steps to change your location on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Click "Marketplace" from the menu. Once you are in Marketplace, click the menu icon again in the top left of the Marketplace section, then click "Settings."

Click "Locations" to see your current addresses. Click "Add Location" to add a new one, type in the city or address, and press Enter. To remove a location, hover over it and click the X that appears. To set a location as primary, click on it—the one at the top of the list is what shows to other users.

Your changes save automatically. Close the Settings window and return to Marketplace to see your updated search results.

What happens when you change your location

When you update your Marketplace location, your search results change when ready. Items that were showing up before may disappear if they are now outside your distance range, and new items closer to your new location will appear instead. The distance shown next to each listing updates to reflect how far it is from your new address.

Sellers and buyers who have already messaged you will still see your old location in your conversation history. However, your profile will show your new location the next time someone views it. If you are in the middle of negotiating a sale, it is a good idea to let the other person know you have moved or are now shopping from a different area.

Using multiple locations

Facebook lets you add more than one location to your Marketplace account. This is useful if you split time between two cities, work in one place and live in another, or travel frequently. You can add up to several locations and switch between them by setting which one is primary.

Only your primary location shows to other users. If you add a second location, it stays in your settings but does not appear on your profile unless you make it primary. You can change which location is primary as often as you need—there is no limit to how many times you can switch.

Troubleshooting location problems

If your location is not updating, make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed. Go to your phone's app store, search for Facebook, and tap "Update" if one is available. On a computer, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log back into Facebook.

If Marketplace is not showing any items near you, check that your location is spelled correctly and is specific enough. "New York" works, but "NY" or a very small neighborhood name might not. Try typing in a larger city name or a zip code instead. You can also check your distance filter—if it is set to 5 miles and you live in a rural area, you may need to increase it to 25 or 50 miles to see listings.

If you are seeing items that are very far away even though you set a nearby location, your Marketplace location and your phone's location services may be out of sync. Check your phone's location settings and make sure Facebook has permission to access your location. You can also manually re-enter your Marketplace location to force it to update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Marketplace location change my Facebook profile location?

No. Marketplace location and profile location are separate. You can change one without affecting the other. If you want both to show the same city, you will need to update your profile location in your main account settings as well as your Marketplace settings.

Can I hide my location from sellers?

No. When you use Marketplace, sellers can see what location you have set. If you do not want to share your exact address, set your location to a nearby city or neighborhood instead of your street address.

What if I travel a lot and my location keeps changing?

You can update your Marketplace location as many times as you need. Add multiple locations to your account and switch your primary location whenever you move. There is no penalty for changing it frequently.

Why am I seeing items that are too far away?

Check your distance filter in the search results—you may have set it to 50 miles without realizing it. You can also verify that your location is spelled correctly in your Marketplace settings. If your phone's location services are turned on, they may override your manual location setting.

Can I set my location to somewhere I do not actually live?

Yes, but sellers may not respond if they realize you are far away. Setting a false location can also lead to awkward conversations when you try to meet up. It is better to set an accurate location or add a second location if you shop from multiple areas.