KSL Classifieds vs. Facebook Marketplace

If you're selling a used couch, shopping for a car or trying to rehome a pet, there are a couple of great online local classifieds options to choose from. In recent years, Facebook Marketplace has become a popular way to buy and sell in Utah. With its massive resources, you might expect Facebook to push out the competition, but loyal users are still choosing KSL Classifieds over the competition. Why? 

Because KSL is built on trust and community values, which still matter a lot to the people it serves. It’s not just about having the biggest budget or the most social media followers — it’s about being relevant. KSL was made specifically for this region.

Here’s why KSL continues to thrive locally, even as Facebook competes for attention.

Designed with safety in mind

Online marketplaces can come with risks. Scams, impersonators and vague communication often make transactions feel like a gamble. That’s why KSL Classifieds has invested heavily in making its platform a safer marketplace. Features such as Verified Profiles, Profile photos and KSL Messages allow users to connect securely and confidently.

KSL Classifieds has tools to protect you when online shopping.

And the results speak volumes. Fraud complaints have dropped by 50% since these tools were launched. These safety tools are free, built-in and made with local users in mind. 

In comparison, Facebook Marketplace is so large that it’s become a major target for scammers. The problem is so widespread and difficult to manage that it’s hard — if not impossible — for Facebook to keep it under control. Because KSL operates on a smaller, local scale, it’s easier to spot issues and respond effectively. As KSL continues to roll out new safety features, fraud is expected to keep going down.

A marketplace rooted in the community

KSL Classifieds is built for Utah, and gives back to it too. While Facebook Marketplace serves a national audience, KSL Classifieds is focused on supporting the local community. 

That includes partnering with Utah-based nonprofits such as Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of Utah to help pets find new homes. You won’t find pet listings on Facebook Marketplace, but on KSL, more than 57,000 people view adoptable dog listings every day. That’s thousands of potential connections — free of charge — for local shelters working to place animals in loving homes.

KSL supports local efforts to improve life for everyone in Utah.

KSL also sponsors community events such as RV shows, off-road expos and bridal expos. These are real opportunities to support and connect with the people who live here. Small but meaningful efforts, like helping cover team fees through banner sponsorships at local high schools, show how KSL invests directly in Utah’s youth and families. When users promote KSL listings, those dollars don’t go to a national platform. They stay in Utah, helping to strengthen local businesses, families and nonprofits.

More substantial inventory in high interest categories

While KSL Classifieds and Facebook Marketplace may have a comparable inventory of items for sale, KSL excels in categories that matter most when you buy and sell in Utah.

Specifically, KSL offers more local inventory and a focused, better organized browsing experience for RVs, Cars, rentals, pets and furniture. For instance, there are over 900 RVs currently listed on KSL in Utah alone. Compared to the broader and less filtered listings on Facebook Marketplace, the difference in usability and relevance is noticeable.

Local sellers, local buyers. KSL is all about community.

KSL's inventory is built by locals, for locals, making it easier to find what you need without sifting through out-of-state or irrelevant results.

Human support that’s easy to reach

Have you ever tried getting help on Facebook Marketplace? Good luck finding a phone number. Or even a person. At KSL Classifieds, you get support from a real, local team that actually picks up the phone when something goes wrong.

Since KSL is small and local, they offer easy-to-access and genuinely helpful support. Real people in Utah are there to help when something goes wrong.

As Jason Blake from KSL's Customer Experience team explains, "KSL has always believed that being a part of the local community is important. That's why we provide a team of real, dedicated individuals who are eager to help when you need it. It's something you won't easily find with our competitors."

Evolving with you

KSL Classifieds isn’t a static tool — it’s a platform that listens. Key features such as Verified Profiles and fraud protection were built in response to user feedback. That spirit of continuous improvement is a core reason KSL continues to lead among local classifieds platforms.

As Sophia Hendricks of the KSL team puts it, "We're constantly trying to innovate and improve our platform based on what we hear from our users. It's all about helping people connect and create meaningful experiences within our community."

Why it matters

KSL Classifieds knows you have options, and we want to offer something different: A platform shaped by our local values of trust, connection and support. While Facebook Marketplace offers reach, KSL offers something deeper: A safer marketplace, relevant local inventory and a company that genuinely invests in its community.

It’s where your listing reaches neighbors, not strangers. It’s where your dollars stay close to home. And it’s where people are building something better, together. Next time you need to browse, list or trade, choose the place that knows Utah best: KSL Classifieds.

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