📢 Meta's New Expansion
Meta is expanding its Facebook Marketplace partnership beyond eBay in the EU. This move follows a €797.7M antitrust fine from the European Commission last year. The program allows C2C platforms to list products directly on Marketplace, boosting traffic. However, eBay sellers in Germany and France report no visible listings, raising doubts about its role.
🔎 eBay Faces Compliance Issues
Meta’s eligibility rules pose challenges for eBay. Listings must be primarily from consumer sellers, not businesses, which is tough for eBay. Additionally, eBay Germany now requires online payments, conflicting with Meta’s criteria favoring offline transactions. These restrictions may limit eBay’s reach, while other C2C platforms benefit.
💰 The Cost Factor
Meta is launching a cost-per-click (CPC) model after a fee-free trial. eBay sellers fear being forced into Offsite Ads, an existing eBay program that promotes listings on external sites. Many sellers might opt to list directly on Facebook Marketplace instead of paying extra fees through eBay.
⚖️ The US Factor
eBay’s partnership also extends to the US, where Meta faces an FTC lawsuit over antitrust concerns. Including eBay may help Meta’s legal defense, but it also means stricter requirements. If US rules mirror EU standards, eBay’s participation may be at risk. Meanwhile, Meta is quickly adding competitors, diluting eBay’s advantage.
Will eBay lose its edge as Meta expands Marketplace partnerships?
