Change your location in the Marketplace settings
Facebook Marketplace uses the location tied to your account to show you items near you and to let sellers know where you are. To change it, open Facebook on your phone or computer, go to Marketplace, and tap or click the location filter at the top of the listings. Select a new city or zip code from the dropdown menu, and Marketplace will reload to show items in that area instead.
This change is temporary — it only affects what you see in that browsing session. When you close Marketplace and come back later, it may revert to your account's primary location. If you want to change your permanent location so Marketplace always shows items near a different city, you need to update your Facebook profile location instead.
Key Takeaways
- The location filter at the top of Marketplace listings lets you view items in a different city without changing your account settings.
- Changing your profile location in Facebook settings makes that your permanent Marketplace location and affects other parts of your account.
- On mobile, tap the location filter; on desktop, click it — both show a dropdown to search for a new city or zip code.
- Your account location is separate from your home address and is visible to other Marketplace users when you list items for sale.
Update your permanent location in profile settings
If you want Marketplace to always show items from a specific city, change the location in your Facebook profile. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap Location. Enter the city or region you want, then save.
On a computer, click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click Location. Type in your new city and save the change. This location now appears on your profile and becomes your default for Marketplace listings and searches.
Be aware that changing your profile location affects more than Marketplace — it also updates the location shown on your profile to other users, changes what local events and groups Facebook recommends to you, and may affect which ads you see. Your home address (if you have added one) stays private and separate from this public location.
The difference between browsing location and profile location
Marketplace has two location settings that work differently. The browsing location is the temporary filter you use when searching — it shows you items within a certain distance of that city but does not change your account. The profile location is permanent and is what Marketplace uses by default when you open the app, what sellers see when you message them, and what appears on your profile.
If you travel frequently or shop in multiple cities, use the browsing filter each time you open Marketplace. If you have moved or want all your Marketplace activity tied to a new city, change your profile location. Sellers can see your profile location when you inquire about an item, so they know roughly where you are before agreeing to meet.
What sellers see when you message them
When you send a message to a seller on Marketplace, they can see your profile location but not your exact address. They see your name, profile picture, and the city or region listed on your account. This is how they decide whether the distance is reasonable for a meetup or whether they want to ship the item to you.
If your profile location is far from where you actually live, sellers may be confused or hesitant to meet. For example, if your profile says you live in Denver but you message about an item in Phoenix, the seller may think you are asking them to ship. Keeping your profile location accurate prevents these misunderstandings.
Changing location on the Marketplace app versus the website
The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use Facebook on your phone or computer, but the result is the same. On the Marketplace app for iPhone or Android, the location filter appears as a button or dropdown at the top of the listings page — tap it to search a different city. On the Facebook website, the filter is in the same spot but you click instead of tap.
Both methods let you browse items in a new location temporarily. To make a permanent change, you must go into your profile settings on either device — the process is the same whether you use the app or the website, though the menu layout differs slightly. If you change your profile location on your phone, that change syncs across all your devices.
Troubleshooting location changes that do not stick
If you change your Marketplace location and it keeps reverting to your old city, check whether you changed the browsing filter or your profile location. The browsing filter resets each time you close and reopen Marketplace, which is normal. If your profile location is not updating, try logging out of Facebook completely, then logging back in and changing it again.
Clear your browser cache or app cache if the change still does not appear. On iPhone, go to Settings, find Facebook, and toggle it off and back on. On Android, go to Settings, Apps, Facebook, and tap Storage, then Clear Cache. On a computer, try a different browser or use the Facebook website instead of the app. If the location still will not change after these steps, the issue may be with your account — try again after a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Marketplace location show my exact address to sellers?
No. Sellers see only the city or region from your profile location, not your street address or home coordinates. Your actual address stays private unless you choose to share it directly when arranging a meetup.
Can I use Marketplace in multiple cities at once?
You can browse multiple cities by changing the location filter each time, but your profile location is tied to one city. If you need to list items in two different cities, you would need separate accounts or update your profile location each time you switch.
What happens to my old listings if I change my location?
Items you have already listed stay posted under your old location until you edit them. To update where a listing appears, go to your active listings, select the item, and change the location in the listing details. New listings will use your current profile location by default.
Will changing my location affect my Facebook friends or timeline?
Your location change appears on your profile, so friends can see it. It does not remove you from friend lists or change your timeline. Some features like local event recommendations and friend suggestions may shift based on your new location.