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Facebook Marketplace Photo Guide

Quick Answer Facebook Marketplace photos should be well-lit (natural window light), show the item from multiple angles, document any flaws, and be at least 1200x1200 pixels. The first photo is the thumbnail in search. Clean, bright photos sell items 3x faster than dark, cluttered photos on Marketplace.

Photo Basics for Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace allows up to 10 photos per listing. The first photo is the thumbnail buyers see when scrolling, so it must be your best, cleanest shot. Resolution: at least 1200x1200 pixels. Most phone photos exceed this. Facebook compresses images, so starting with higher resolution produces better results. Lighting: natural daylight is free and produces the best results. Bring items near a window or photograph outdoors in shade. Avoid direct flash and overhead artificial lighting. Background: clean, uncluttered backgrounds. A white wall, clean floor, or outdoor pavement. Buyers subconsciously associate clean backgrounds with well-maintained items. Marketplace is local and casual. You don't need professional studio shots, but bright, clear, honest photos dramatically outperform dark, blurry snapshots.

1

Use natural light

Near a window or outdoors in shade. No flash. Natural light shows true colors and condition.

2

Clean background

Remove clutter from behind the item. A clean background signals a well-maintained item.

3

Show all angles

Front, back, sides, top. For furniture: show dimensions with a measuring tape.

4

Lead with the best shot

The first photo is the search thumbnail. Make it bright, clean, and showing the item at its best.

Tips by Category

Furniture: photograph in a clean room with context (show how it looks in a living space). Include measurements, show any wear, and photograph from multiple angles including the back and underside. Electronics: show the screen turned on, all ports, condition of corners/edges, and included accessories. Model number photo helps buyers verify compatibility. Clothing and shoes: flat lay on a clean surface or hang on a white door. Show labels, close-up of fabric condition, and any wear. Natural light is essential for accurate colors. Cars: photograph exterior from all four corners, interior (dashboard, seats, trunk), mileage on odometer, VIN plate, and any damage. Morning or evening golden light makes cars look best. Kids/baby items: show the item clean and assembled. Include brand/model labels. Photograph any safety-relevant features. Parents are cautious buyers.

1

Match buyer expectations

Furniture buyers want to see it in a room. Electronics buyers want to see it working.

2

Show condition honestly

Every scratch, stain, and wear mark. Honest photos prevent no-shows and complaints.

3

Include identifying information

Brand, model, size labels. Helps buyers verify what they're getting.

Common Marketplace Photo Mistakes

Dark, underexposed photos are the biggest conversion killer. If buyers can't see the item clearly, they scroll past. Always ensure the item is well-lit. Cluttered backgrounds: a pile of laundry behind the item, a messy room visible, or other items confusing what's for sale. Clean the area or move the item to a clean spot. Using only one photo: one photo raises suspicion. What are they hiding? Multiple angles build confidence. Use all 10 available photo slots. Misleading angles or filters: making the item look better than it is leads to frustrated buyers and wasted meetup time. Show it honestly. Including personal information: check that your mail, screen, or personal items aren't visible in the background. Marketplace photos are public.

1

Brighten your photos

If the photo looks dark, move closer to a window or go outside. Edit brightness up as needed.

2

Clean the background

Move clutter, make the bed, clear the floor. 30 seconds of cleanup improves the photo dramatically.

3

Use multiple photos

5-10 photos from different angles. One-photo listings look suspicious.

Phone Photography Tips for Marketplace

You don't need any equipment beyond your phone for great Marketplace photos. These tips take zero extra time. Clean your phone lens before shooting. A quick wipe removes fingerprints that cause haze and softness. Tap the item on screen to focus and expose for it. Don't let the camera auto-expose for the whole scene since the item might end up too dark. Avoid zoom. Move closer instead. Digital zoom degrades quality. Walk toward the item rather than pinching to zoom. Use the main 1x camera for most items. Use 0.5x ultra-wide for furniture and large items in small spaces. Use 2x telephoto for small detail close-ups.

1

Clean the lens

Quick wipe on your shirt. Makes a visible difference in sharpness.

2

Tap to focus on the item

Ensures the item is sharp and properly exposed, not the background.

3

Don't zoom, move closer

Physical proximity beats digital zoom for quality every time.

Quick Editing Fixes

Most Marketplace photos need minor editing at most. A few quick fixes make a big difference in how fast items sell. Brighten dark photos: 'brighten this photo so the item is clearly visible' is the most common and impactful edit. Clean up backgrounds: 'blur the messy background' or 'remove the clutter behind the item' for a more professional look without re-shooting. Remove personal information: 'blur the mail on the table' or 'remove the address visible in the background' protects your privacy.

1

Brighten

'Brighten the photo' if the item looks dark. This is the single most impactful edit.

2

Clean background

'Blur the background' or 'remove the clutter behind the item.'

3

Protect privacy

'Blur personal information visible in the background.'

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Frequently Asked Questions

As many as possible, up to 10. Multiple angles, condition documentation, labels, and included accessories. Listings with 5+ photos get significantly more inquiries than single-photo listings.
Not required, but clean backgrounds sell better. A white wall, clean floor, or outdoor setting works. The key is removing visual clutter so the item is the clear focus.
Dark, blurry, or single-photo listings are the #1 reason for low engagement. Retake photos with good lighting, clean backgrounds, and multiple angles. Price competitively and write a detailed description.
Minor editing helps: brightness, contrast, and background cleanup. Don't filter or edit to misrepresent the item's condition. Honest photos that are well-lit and clear perform best.
Yes. If you've already photographed the item for eBay or another platform, those photos work perfectly on Marketplace. Just ensure the images are at least 1200x1200 pixels.
Show it in a clean room for context. Include a measuring tape or ruler for dimensions. Photograph from all sides including the back and underside. Show any wear, stains, or damage. Move surrounding clutter out of frame.
Be cautious. Remove personal items, mail with addresses, and identifiable information from the background. Consider photographing small items outside or against a plain wall. Blur any personal information visible in photos.
No. Marketplace is casual and local. Good phone photos with natural light and clean backgrounds are perfectly appropriate. Professional-looking photos on Marketplace can actually seem suspicious to some buyers.

Related Guides

eBay Listing Photo Guide Smartphone Photography Tips Product Photography Lighting

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