Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has begun testing eBay listings on Facebook Marketplace in the United States, Germany, and France. This move comes in response to the European Union's antitrust order last year, which fined Meta $840 million for allegedly imposing "unfair trading conditions" on rival classified ads services to benefit Marketplace.

The test, which is currently limited to a small group of users, allows Facebook Marketplace users to browse eBay listings directly on the platform. Once a user selects an item, they will be redirected to eBay's website to complete the purchase. According to Meta, this integration could "benefit" both platforms by exposing eBay sellers to Facebook's vast audience and providing Marketplace users with access to a broader array of listings from the eBay community.

The EU's antitrust order was issued in response to Meta's alleged practice of forcibly exposing Facebook users to Marketplace by linking its selling and social platforms. The EU claimed that this practice gave Marketplace an unfair advantage over rival classified ads services. As part of the order, Meta was required to stop engaging in this behavior and to find a solution to level the playing field.

Meta has appealed the EU's decision, arguing that it relies "on a hypothetical potential to harm competition." However, the company has also committed to working on a solution to comply with the order. The integration of eBay listings on Facebook Marketplace appears to be a key part of this effort.

In a statement to The Verge, Meta spokesperson Jocelyn Jones said that the test is currently limited, but the company hopes to expand it soon. eBay has also provided guidance on the integration, stating that Facebook Marketplace users will be able to see both local eBay listings and items that can be shipped.

This development has significant implications for the online marketplace industry. If successful, the integration could provide a boost to both Facebook Marketplace and eBay, as well as set a new precedent for cooperation between rival platforms. It also raises questions about the future of online commerce and the role that social media platforms will play in shaping it.

As the online marketplace landscape continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the progress of this test and its potential impact on the industry. With the EU's antitrust order serving as a catalyst, it is likely that we will see more cooperation and innovation in the space as companies work to comply with regulatory requirements and stay ahead of the competition.