Real ChatGPT answer + Gemini simulation · index seed9ipgDVwCIvccompleteAI OverviewRetail and ecommerce · secondhand and resaleinformational
How common are fake profiles on Facebook Marketplace, and how can I screen sellers before driving out to meet them?
ChatGPTgpt-6Geminigemini-3.5-flash-lite3 passes + 1 real-search36 queries10/30/2026
Download run
Gemini unique queries
34
1 in ≥ half the passes · stability 35%
ChatGPT real searches predicted
100%
2 of 2 matched the simulation
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
SEED QUERY
How common are fake profiles on Facebook Marketplace, and how can I screen sellers before driving out to meet them?
34 unique queries · 3 passes
buyer safety tips and guides
1 query · 3 hits
facebook marketplace vs craigslist safety comparison3xGoogle ↗
COMPARATIVE
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
ChatGPT real searches (2)
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 2 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence. 34 queries are still being classified.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
ChatGPT2 real searches · gpt-6100% predicted
Facebook Marketplace scam seller fake profiles prevalence FTC 2025 consumer advice seller screening Google ↗
Meta Facebook Marketplace safety tips meet seller verify listing profile scams Google ↗
- Google Lens · lens.google.com
- FTC: Social media scams and consumer protection · consumer.ftc.gov
- National Cybersecurity Alliance: Marketplace scam prevention · staysafeonline.org
- Reported losses to scams on social media eight times higher than in 2020 · ftc.gov
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Colour
SimulatedReal search
Hover a query to see its counterpart · click a topic to focus it · zoom with Ctrl/⌘ + scroll, a pinch, double-click or +
Queries
34 queries · click a column to sort
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
facebook marketplace vs craigslist safety comparison COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare the security and prevalence of scammers on Facebook Marketplace versus other platforms like Craigslist or OfferUp. | — | comparison_table | buyer safety tips and guides | 3x of 3 | |
how prevalent are scams and fake accounts on facebook marketplace REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find statistical data or expert estimates regarding the frequency of fake profiles on Facebook Marketplace. | — | web_article | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
percentage of fake accounts on facebook marketplace REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find exact statistics or estimates regarding the prevalence of fraudulent profiles on the platform. | — | web_article | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
how common are scams on facebook marketplace statistics REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find data or estimates on the frequency of fraudulent accounts and scams on Facebook Marketplace. | — | web_article | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace seller screening checklist RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Get a structured list of items to check on a seller's profile before agreeing to a meetup. | — | checklist | seller vetting and rating systems | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace seller red flags check REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn the warning signs of a fake profile before arranging a meetup. | — | checklist | marketplace seller red flags | 1x of 3 | |
how to spot a scammer on facebook marketplace REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn the common warning signs and red flags of malicious sellers. | — | how_to_steps | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
how to tell if a facebook profile is a scammer IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify specific red flags on a user profile that indicate it is fake or malicious. | — | faq_page | detecting fake facebook profiles | 1x of 3 | |
most common facebook marketplace scams list RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the typical methods fraudsters use on Facebook Marketplace to trick buyers. | — | faq_page | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace safety tips for buyers meeting in person RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand best practices for safely executing cash or digital transactions during a meetup. | — | checklist | buyer safety tips and guides | 1x of 3 | |
common facebook marketplace scams and how they work RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Review specific fraud schemes commonly perpetrated through fake marketplace profiles. | — | faq_page | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
how to vet a facebook marketplace seller profile RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover specific steps to research a user account on Facebook before committing to a transaction. | — | how_to_steps | seller vetting and rating systems | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace safe exchange zones police station ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find secure physical locations, such as police stations, recommended for completing online marketplace transactions. | — | map/local_pack | safe meetup locations and practices | 1x of 3 | |
safe meetup spots for online marketplace transactions IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find secure public locations to meet strangers for local buy-and-sell exchanges. | — | map/local_pack | safe meetup locations and practices | 1x of 3 | |
does facebook verify marketplace sellers IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Determine what identity checks or verification features Facebook enforces on user accounts. | — | web_article | seller vetting and rating systems | 1x of 3 | |
safe meetup spots for online marketplace transactions near me IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find secure public locations like police stations designed for safe buyer-seller exchanges. | — | map/local_pack | safe meetup locations and practices | 1x of 3 | |
first time buyer safety tips facebook marketplace PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find beginner-oriented advice for staying safe when buying items from strangers online. | — | buyers_guide | buyer safety tips and guides | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace safety features and buyer protection ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn what official tools or guarantees Facebook provides to protect buyers from fraudulent listings. | — | web_article | buyer safety tips and guides | 1x of 3 | |
what to do if you get scammed on facebook marketplace RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn the recovery steps and reporting procedures if a transaction goes wrong. | — | how_to_steps | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
common facebook marketplace seller red flags REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover typical behaviors or profile traits associated with fraudulent sellers. | — | forum/qna | marketplace seller red flags | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace profile red flags ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify specific characteristics of a user profile that indicate it is fake or newly created. | — | checklist | marketplace seller red flags | 1x of 3 | |
i think a facebook marketplace seller is a scammer what should i do PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Get immediate advice on how to handle a suspicious interaction with a seller right now. | — | forum/qna | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
why do scammers use fake accounts on facebook marketplace IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the motives and methods behind fraudulent profiles on social commerce platforms. | — | web_article | fake profile statistics and prevalence | 1x of 3 | |
how to check when a facebook profile was created REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find out the technical steps to inspect a user's account age and join date on Facebook. | — | how_to_steps | detecting fake facebook profiles | 1x of 3 | |
how to report a scammer profile on facebook marketplace RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn the administrative steps to report and block fraudulent accounts. | — | how_to_steps | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
how does facebook verify marketplace sellers ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn about the platform's official verification mechanisms and trust badges. | — | glossary/definition | seller vetting and rating systems | 1x of 3 | |
signs of fake facebook profiles marketplace RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify visual and behavioral clues that indicate a Facebook account is fake or bot-driven. | — | checklist | detecting fake facebook profiles | 1x of 3 | |
tips for buying used electronics safely on facebook marketplace PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Get specialized screening and inspection advice for high-risk categories like electronics. | — | buyers_guide | buyer safety tips and guides | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace payment scams vs cash on pickup COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Evaluate the safety of digital advance payments compared to paying cash in person. | — | comparison_table | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace buyer safety guide ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Access a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of secure buying and avoiding fraud on the platform. | — | buyers_guide | buyer safety tips and guides | 1x of 3 | |
can you check if a facebook profile is real REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find tools or methods to authenticate a user identity on Facebook. | — | forum/qna | detecting fake facebook profiles | 1x of 3 | |
can you get scammed meeting up from facebook marketplace IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the physical and financial risks involved in in-person cash transactions arranged online. | — | faq_page | identifying and reporting scammers | 1x of 3 | |
facebook marketplace seller rating system reliability RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand whether seller badges, reviews, and ratings can be faked or manipulated. | — | web_article | seller vetting and rating systems | 1x of 3 | |
safe meetup practices for online classifieds RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn general best practices for meeting internet strangers for cash transactions. | — | checklist | safe meetup locations and practices | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
Geminix = pass, y = cumulative unique queries
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 917 / 1,495 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 12 | 12 | — | 917 / 1,383 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 917 / 1,435 |