News
17 things to avoid while selling on Facebook Marketplace
![17 things to avoid while selling on Facebook Marketplace](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/facebook-marketplace-digital-boom-1-1.jpg)
Thousands of users got banned recently from Facebook Marketplace due to violations of commerce and community standards policies. Well, not so many read long pages of policies. Sometimes, we fall victim to simple rules, just because we didn’t know.
To avoid getting locked out of the platform, you need to know what items and actions are allowed and prohibited.
Related Topic: Become fb Marketplace Partner
For instance, Facebook doesn’t allow the sale of counterfeit, illegal, or stolen items. For the full list of what you can and can’t sell, continue reading this article.
Products and services sold on Facebook and Instagram’s commerce must comply with the Community Standards and the Commerce Policies.
The Commerce Policies apply to all posts on Marketplace, buy-and-sell groups, shop sections on Pages, and Instagram Shopping product posts.
Facebook guides what types of products and services can be offered for sale on Facebook and Instagram.
Failure to comply may result in a variety of consequences, including the removal of posted content. If you repeatedly post content that violates Facebook’s policies, Facebook may prevent your account from accessing the marketplace.
A list of 17 prohibited content/items on fb Marketplace
1. Illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs: Posts may not promote the sale of illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs.
- Drugs: including marijuana and marijuana products
- Drug paraphernalia, including pipes and bongs
No exceptions.
2. Tobacco products and related paraphernalia: Posts may not promote the sale of tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia.
- Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Tobacco pipes and paraphernalia
- Tobacco rolling machines
- Hookahs and hookah lounges
- Bongs
- Rolling papers
- Electronic cigarettes
Exception: Apparel featuring a tobacco brand logo.
3. Unsafe supplements: Posts may not promote the sale of unsafe supplements, as determined by Facebook in its sole discretion.
- Anabolic steroids
- Chitosan
- Comfrey
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Ephedra
- Human growth hormones
No exception.
4. Ammunition, explosives, and weapons: Posts may not promote the sale or use of weapons, ammunition, or explosives. Such as:
- Firearms and firearm parts
- Paintball guns
- BB guns
- Fireworks
- Pepper spray
- Tasers
- Gun ranges
- Gun shows
Exception: promoting safety training or licenses for legal weapons are accepted.
5. Animals: Posts may not promote the sale of any animals, such as:
- Live animals
- Pets
- Livestock
- Any part, pelt, or skin from an animal, including fur
Exception: animal posts that promote the sale of animal cages, products for animals (toys, collars, etc.), veterinary services, grooming services, or boarding services.
6. No commercial intent: Posts may not promote news, humor, or other content that has no intention to buy or sell products or services. Such as:
- News and awareness posts
- Jokes and memes
- Lost and found posts
7. Adult products or services: Posts may not promote the sale or use of adult products or services.
- Sex toys
- Videos or live shows for adult entertainment
- Sexual enhancement products
- Sexually suggestive services (“texts to send her to get her in bed”)
Exception: Products promoting family planning and contraception, which focus on the product’s contraceptive features and not on sexual pleasure or sexual enhancement.
8. Alcohol: Posts may not promote the sale of alcohol.
- Sale of alcoholic beverages
- Kits for making alcohol
Exception:
- Books or DVDs about alcohol
- Alcohol-related items, including glasses, coolers, and wine bottle holders
9. Healthcare products: Posts may not promote certain healthcare products and services, including medical devices, smoking cessation products containing nicotine, body parts or fluids, or posts that contain “before and after” images.
- Medical devices: Posts may not promote the sale of medical devices.
- Contact lenses
- Bandages and braces for physical injuries
- Thermometers
- Testing kits for medical conditions or diseases
- First-aid kits
Exception: Lifestyle and fitness accessories, including watches.
- Smoking cessation products: Posts may not promote the sale of smoking cessation products containing nicotine.
- Nicotine patches
- Nicotine gum
- Body parts and fluids: Posts may not promote the sale of human body parts or fluids.
- Blood
- Urine
- Body parts
- Organs
- Human tissue
Exception: Hair extensions and wigs
- Personal health: Posts must not contain “before and after” images or images that contain unexpected or unlikely results. Posts must not imply or attempt to generate negative self-perception to promote diet, weight loss, or other health-related products.
- A person showing how loose-fitting his or her clothes are
- A person with clothes that are too tight
- A medical diagram or infographic with pain points or focal points on the human body
10. Real money gambling services: Posts may not promote or facilitate online gambling, games of skill, or lotteries, including online casinos, sportsbooks, bingo, or poker if it costs money.
11. Fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or offensive: Posts may not contain deceptive, false, misleading, or offensive offers or products.
- “Get rich quick” schemes.
- “Before and after” photos showing the effects of weight-loss products, surgeries, health products, or anti-wrinkle products
- Posts that are shocking, sensational, disrespectful, or portray excessive violence
12. Products with overtly sexualized positioning: Posts may not position products or services in a sexually suggestive manner.
- Zoomed in sexual images
- Implied nudity
- Implied sexual acts
13. Subscriptions or digital products: Posts may not promote downloadable digital content, digital subscriptions, or digital accounts.
- Posts with downloadable content, including PDFs, music, games, films, etc.
- Digital accounts, including Netflix accounts or games accounts
- Digital subscriptions and Internet streaming services, including TV, mobile, Netflix, Spotify, etc.
- Digital coupons
Exceptions:
- Authentic audio or video CDs, DVDs, and Blu Ray
- Digital devices, including smartphones, video game consoles, and TVs
14. Digital media and electronic devices: Posts may not promote the sale of devices that facilitate or encourage streaming digital content in an unauthorized manner or interfering with electronic devices’ functionality.
- Sale of streaming devices loaded with software that facilitates unauthorized access to content
- Jailbroken or loaded devices
- Jamming or descrambling devices
- Wiretapping devices
Exception: Add-on equipment for streaming devices such as keyboards and remotes.
15. Real, virtual, or fake currency: Posts may not promote the sale of real, virtual, or fake currency.
- Real money (cash or cash equivalent instruments and coins)
- Replica or prop money
- Digital or cryptocurrency
- Active bank credit or debit cards
- Store credit cards or coupons
- Pre-paid credit or debit cards
- Cheques or checkbooks
- Equipment to create counterfeit currency or financial instruments.
16. Third-party infringement: Posts may not contain content that infringes upon or violates the intellectual property rights of any third party, including copyright or trademark. This includes, but is not limited to, the promotion or sale of counterfeits, such as goods that copy the trademark (name or logo) and/or distinctive features of another company’s products to imitate a genuine product.
- Counterfeits, knockoffs or replicas of branded goods, or posts offering goods that are likely to confuse consumers about the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of those goods.
- Unauthorized or pirated copies of copyrighted works, such as videos, films, TV shows and broadcasts, video games, CDs, other musical works, books, etc.
17. Discrimination: Posts must not wrongfully discriminate or suggest a preference for or against people because of a personal characteristic, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, marital status, disability, or medical or genetic condition. Posts must comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination. This includes but is not limited to discrimination for housing posts.
- “Only looking for Christian renters.”
- “Must be under age 35 to purchase.”
- “No Hispanic tenants welcome.”
Now you can decide what to sell or not to risk selling on the Facebook marketplace to avoid getting banned.
If you lost access to Facebook Marketplace and you think you didn’t violate any of the above policies, submit this appeal form.
Happy trading!
Pro Tip: If your Facebook Marketplace is not loading:
Ensure you’re using the most updated version of the app or browser; Restart your computer or phone; Uninstall and reinstall the app. If you’re using a phone; Log into Facebook and try again.
News
Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan
![Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lendo-x-JP-Morgan-MOU.png)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
News
TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool
![**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-ta-telecom.png)
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
![TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-screenshot-800x450.png)
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
News
GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028
![GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Selina-Bieber-the-Senior-Director-of-Global-Markets-at-GoDaddy.webp)
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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