Facebook Marketplace draws in Millenials

A New Way for Millennials and Gen Z to Connect: Facebook Marketplace

A piece of history now adorns the front yard of Tyler Stapleton’s home in St. John’s, Newfoundland. A 400-kilogram anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s and later purchased by Stapleton on Facebook Marketplace for $400. The anchor, standing at two meters tall, is just one of the many treasures that Canadians are finding on the platform.

Stapleton, a 31-year-old navigation officer, is part of a growing trend among millennials and Gen Z who are rediscovering the social media platform through Facebook Marketplace. Allie MacIsaac, a 29-year-old public servant in Ottawa, jokingly refers to Marketplace as her hobby, using it to find deals on items like bicycles, clothes, and home furnishings.

Kevin Ouellette, a 27-year-old teacher in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and his partner have turned to Facebook Marketplace to live affordably. They enjoy the thrill of finding unique items and have purchased furniture, snowblowers, and even guitars on the platform. Ouellette has also dabbled in selling items, finding buyers for appliances he fixed up.

While selling on Marketplace can be overwhelming with messages and logistics, Devon Cole, a 28-year-old midwifery student in Toronto, found success in selling furniture and brand name clothing. She prefers using Marketplace as a shopper and was able to secure stethoscopes for school at a lower price than buying new.

For many users like MacIsaac, the appeal of Facebook goes beyond Marketplace. She participates in neighborhood groups, job hunting groups, and “buy nothing” groups where items are given away for free. The sense of community and connection during challenging times has led to a resurgence of interest in Facebook among younger demographics.

Facebook, once seen as a platform for older generations, is now becoming a hub for millennials and Gen Z to find deals, make connections, and even search for jobs. The convenience and variety offered by Marketplace and community groups are drawing in a new wave of users, proving that Facebook still has relevance in the digital age.

This article was rewritten for a WordPress platform, inspired by a report by The Canadian Press published on December 7, 2024.