I will never forget the week I moved apartments in 2023. I had listed everything I owned on Facebook Marketplace—my sofa, my dining table, my collection of vintage lamps. I priced them aggressively to move. I sat back, expecting my phone to blow up with "Is this available?" notifications.
Silence.
For two full days, not a single ping. I checked the listings. They looked active. I checked the prices. They were steals. It wasn't until I asked a friend to look at my profile from her phone that I realized the problem. She clicked "Message," and an error popped up: "You cannot message this seller."
I wasn't just being ignored; I was digitally gagged. Facebook had quietly disabled my messaging capabilities without sending me a single notification. I was screaming into the void.
If you are staring at a listing with zero views or wondering why people can't message me on facebook marketplace, you aren't alone. Meta's spam filters have become hyper-aggressive in 2025. Whether it's a glitch in your privacy settings or a shadowban caused by posting too quickly, the "Message Button" disappearance is a common, infuriating hurdle for resellers.
Why Can't People Message Me on Facebook Marketplace? (The "Trust" Algorithm)
When you ask why can't people message me on facebook marketplace, you have to understand that Facebook treats every interaction as a potential scam.
The "Stranger Danger" Setting
Facebook has a privacy setting that blocks messages from people you aren't friends with.
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The Glitch: Sometimes, an app update toggles this on by default.
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The Fix: Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy > How people find and contact you. Ensure "Message Requests" is set to "Everyone" or "Friends of Friends," not "Friends Only."
The "New Account" Probation
If you just created an account to sell items, you are in a "sandbox."
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The Restriction: Facebook often disables messaging for accounts under 30 days old to prevent burner bot accounts from spamming users.
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The Workaround: Join local "Buy & Sell" groups. Group admins can sometimes verify you, allowing you to message members within that group even if general Marketplace is blocked.
My Honest Failure: I once created a secondary Facebook profile solely for selling because I didn't want my aunt commenting on my listings. I listed 10 items in one hour. Facebook flagged the account as a "Bot" and disabled messaging immediately. I couldn't reply to the one buyer who actually managed to get through. I lost the sale and the account.
The "Real v Fake" Trigger: Shadowbans on Listings
Here's where it gets interesting... sometimes your account is fine, but your listing is cursed.
The AI Authentication Trap
Facebook uses image recognition to detect counterfeit goods.
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The Keyword: real v fake.
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The Scenario: You list a pair of Nike Jordans or a Gucci bag.
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The Trigger: If the AI suspects the item is fake (even if it's real), it doesn't always delete the listing. Sometimes, it just disables the message button so no one can buy it. This is a "Shadowban."
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Why: It protects Facebook from liability without alerting the seller.
Opinion Statement: This is the most cowardly way to moderate a platform. If my item is prohibited, tell me. Don't let me leave it up for weeks wondering why nobody wants it. It wastes everyone's time.
Technical Glitches: The Messenger Disconnect
Marketplace and Messenger are two separate apps trying to hold hands. Often, they let go.
The "Lite" App Conflict: If you are using "Facebook Lite" or "Messenger Lite" on Android, many Marketplace features break.
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The Fix: Uninstall the Lite versions. Install the full-bloated standard apps. They track more data, but they actually work for commerce.
The "Update" Lag: If your Facebook app is updated but your Messenger app is three versions behind, the API call fails when a buyer clicks "Message."
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My Strategy: Every Sunday, I go to the App Store and force-update both apps. It solves 90% of my "glitch" paranoia.
Prohibited Items and High-Risk Categories
If you sell in high-risk categories, Facebook might preemptively block messages to stop scams.
Places to Sell Football Cards (When Facebook Says No)
Sports cards are a magnet for scammers.
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The Problem: You list a Patrick Mahomes rookie card for $500.
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The Flag: Facebook sees a high-value item from a casual seller. They might block messages from accounts that look "suspicious" (i.e., new buyers), effectively killing your reach.
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The Alternative: If Facebook throttles you, you need other places to sell football cards. I recommend eBay (for the authenticity guarantee) or CollX (a dedicated card scanning/selling app). Facebook is too twitchy for high-end collectibles in 2025.
Poshmark Thrift Stores vs. Facebook
If you are tired of the silence, look at poshmark thrift stores (closets).
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The Difference: On Poshmark, communication is public via comments. There is no "private message" button until a bundle is created.
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The Benefit: This prevents the "Message Button Missing" error. Everyone can comment. It’s transparent.
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The Downside: Everyone sees your negotiation history.
I use Closo to automate cross-listing my inventory to Mercari and eBay – saves me about 3 hours weekly – because when Facebook decides to mute me for selling a football card, I need my items to stay visible on platforms that actually want my business.
How to Fix the Issue (A Troubleshooting Hierarchy)
If you are currently blocked, try these steps in order.
1. The "Vacation Mode" Toggle
Sometimes the system thinks you are away.
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Go to Commerce Profile.
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Tap Settings.
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Check "Vacation Mode." Toggle it On, wait 10 seconds, and Toggle it Off. This forces a reset of your store status.
2. The "Shake" Report
As mentioned in previous guides, shaking your phone while on the error screen sends a diagnostic log to Facebook engineers.
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What to write: "Buyers are reporting they cannot see the 'Message Seller' button on my listings. I have no violations."
3. Check for "Marketplace Access" Removal
Go to your Support Inbox.
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If you see a message saying "Marketplace access removed," you are banned. The messaging issue is just a symptom.
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You must click "Request Review" on that specific notification.
People Always Ask Me...
"Can I put my phone number in the description?"
Common question I see. "If they can't message me, I'll just tell them to text me!" Do not do this.
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The Risk: Facebook's AI scans descriptions for phone numbers. If it finds one, it flags the post as spam or a scam (trying to take transactions off-platform). Your listing will be deleted, and your account might be restricted further.
"Why do I get messages but can't reply?"
People always ask me this. This is a "Reply Restriction."
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Cause: You sent too many identical messages (copy-pasting "Yes, it's available" 50 times in an hour).
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The Fix: Wait 24 hours. Stop spamming. When you reply, vary your text slightly ("Yes, still here!" vs "It is available").
Conclusion
When people can't message me on facebook marketplace, it feels like a personal attack. In reality, it is usually a clumsy robot trying to protect the platform from spam.
The key is to verify your settings, ensure you aren't selling high-risk items like real v fake luxury goods or sports cards, and keep your apps updated.
But more importantly, don't rely on Facebook alone. If the "Message" button breaks, your income stops. That is a fragile business model.
If you are ready to diversify, check out our guide on The Best Places to Sell Football Cards to find more reliable buyers. And if you are struggling with pricing your items to move fast, read our analysis of Mercari vs. Poshmark Fees to see where your profit margins are safest.
FAQ
Here's something everyone wants to know: Why is the 'Message' button greyed out on Facebook Marketplace?
If the button is greyed out, it typically means either the listing has been marked as "Pending" or "Sold," or the seller has restrictive privacy settings that block messages from non-friends. It can also happen if the seller has blocked you, or if their account has been temporarily restricted by Facebook for unusual activity.
Common question I see: How do I enable messaging on Facebook Marketplace?
You cannot "enable" it specifically for Marketplace; it is tied to your general Facebook account privacy. Go to Settings > Privacy > How people find and contact you and ensure "Message Requests" are allowed. Also, verify that your date of birth on your profile proves you are over 18, as minors are blocked from Marketplace messaging.
People always ask me: Can I use a business page to sell on Marketplace?
Yes, and this often solves messaging issues. Business Pages have a dedicated "Inbox" suite that is more robust than personal Messenger. However, creating a Page just to sell personal items can be flagged. Only do this if you are running a legitimate resale business.
