Mark Zuckerberg © Reuters
Meta has launched a standalone Seller app for Facebook Marketplace, expanding the capabilities of its e-commerce platform. While it was previously used mainly for personal listings and local sales, the new service is geared toward sellers who conduct business on a regular basis.
According to market participants, the app’s launch signals Meta’s intention to compete with traditional e-commerce platforms, including eBay, by offering sellers specialized tools for managing their sales.
Investors reacted negatively to the news for eBay: during Friday’s trading session, the company’s shares on NASDAQ fell by about 3.7%, according to investing.com.
What Is the Threat to eBay and Other Platforms?
One of the new app’s key competitive advantages is said to be lower costs for sellers. eBay’s business model is based on commission fees charged on each transaction, whereas Meta derives the bulk of its revenue from advertising, which potentially allows it to offer more favorable terms for listing products.
Another factor could be the use of artificial intelligence technologies. Meta has integrated tools into the app that automatically generate product descriptions, suggest listing categories, and provide estimated prices based on uploaded photos. This reduces the time required to prepare listings compared to the traditional posting process on eBay.
In addition, the app includes a unified message management center, tools for bulk listing, and other features geared toward sellers with a wide range of products.
Analysts believe that these capabilities could help Meta keep entrepreneurs within its own ecosystem and intensify competition in the e-commerce market.
The launch of Seller reflects Meta’s desire to expand its presence in the online retail segment, which is dominated by specialized marketplaces. For eBay, this means increased competitive pressure in one of its key business areas.
