Response Rate Study: Which Marketplace Gets Fastest Replies?
Measure message speed like a pro—then double down on the marketplace that turns pings into booked appointments the quickest.
Introduction
Response Rate Study: Which Marketplace Gets Fastest Replies? gives you a standardized way to compare real-time messaging performance across Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp. Instead of gut feel, you’ll track First Response Time (FRT), 10-minute Reply Rate, Booking Speed, and Show Rate—so you can invest time where momentum is fastest.
Important: Benchmarks below are illustrative. Cities and categories vary. Use our formulas and templates to calculate your own baselines.
Expanded Table of Contents
- 1) Speed KPIs & definitions
- 2) Methodology for fair testing (matched windows)
- 3) Sample 2025 speed benchmarks (illustrative)
- 4) Signal vs. noise: what actually moves faster replies
- 5) Inbox routing, SLAs & saved replies
- 6) Autoresponders & AI: instant but compliant
- 7) Platform notes: Marketplace • Craigslist • OfferUp
- 8) Copy & CTA snippets that reduce back-and-forth
- 9) Media standards that drive quick answers
- 10) Speed scorecard & buy decisions
- 11) 30–60–90 day rollout plan
- 12) Troubleshooting slow replies
- 13) 25 Frequently Asked Questions
- 14) 25 Extra Keywords
1) Speed KPIs & definitions
| KPI | Formula | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median FRT (First Response Time) | Median minutes from inbound message → first reply | <10 min | Fast replies correlate with booking rate |
| 10-min Reply Rate | % of conversations replied within 10 minutes | ≥80% | Operational readiness |
| Booking Speed | Median minutes from first message → confirmed appointment | <60–180 min | Friction in scripts/scheduling |
| Show Rate | Shows ÷ Appointments | 50–75% | Reminder + qualification quality |
Use median for FRT to avoid outlier distortion; track the 75th percentile for worst-case readiness.
2) Methodology for fair testing (matched windows)
- Same SKU, price, and facts across platforms.
- Run 3 windows: weekday daytime, weekday evening, weekend prime.
- Standardize scripts and tour slots to reduce variability.
- Attribute correctly with UTMs or unique reply keywords (e.g., “DM TIMES”).
- Decide by speed & show rate, not impressions.
3) Sample 2025 speed benchmarks (illustrative)
Treat the ranges as placeholders—replace with your actuals after two weeks of matched tests.
| Platform | Median FRT | 10-min Reply Rate | Booking Speed (median) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Marketplace | 6–18 min | 70–90% | 45–120 min | High DM volume; saved replies critical |
| Craigslist | 12–35 min | 55–80% | 60–180 min | Email/SMS routing can slow first touch |
| OfferUp | 8–24 min | 60–85% | 50–150 min | Mobile-heavy audience; short replies win |
Decision rule: prioritize the marketplace with lower median FRT and stable Show Rate at comparable lead quality.
4) Signal vs. noise: what actually moves faster replies
- Clear first line: lead with “Available + tour windows.”
- Bright hero image: reduces clarification questions.
- Short booking path: two time windows + link; no form maze.
- Pricing clarity: remove back-and-forth on basics.
5) Inbox routing, SLAs & saved replies
Team SLA
FRT: <10 min (business hours)
After hours: autoresponder + 8am sweep
Escalation: no reply in 10 → backup agentSaved Reply (universal)
Yes—available. Tour times: Today 4–6 or Tomorrow 10–12.
Reply with your email for the booking link.6) Autoresponders & AI: instant but compliant
- Instant greet → offer two time windows → collect email/phone for confirmation.
- Respect platform rules and local laws; keep language neutral and factual.
- Layer reminders: 24h + 60m; include reschedule link.
7) Platform notes
Facebook Marketplace
- High volume → use labels and quick replies.
- Pin the best-performing listing for 48–72h.
- Rotate hero images to keep freshness.
Craigslist & OfferUp
- Craigslist: route emails to a monitored inbox + SMS handoff.
- OfferUp: mobile users prefer yes/no buttons and short info bursts.
8) Copy & CTA snippets that reduce back-and-forth
Opener
{What} • {Beds/Baths or Specs} • {Key Benefit}
Tours: Today 4–6 or Tomorrow 10–12. DM “TIMES”.Follow-up
Got it. Want {Today 5:30} or {Tomorrow 10:30}? I’ll send the confirmation link.9) Media standards that drive quick answers
- Hero: 1:1, 1200×1200, brightest room/product.
- Short vertical walkthrough: 10–20s (1080×1920).
- Caption near the image: price, area, tour method.
10) Speed scorecard & buy decisions
| Marketplace | Median FRT | 10-min Reply% | Booking Speed | Show% | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace | — | —% | — min | —% | Scale / Maintain / Pause |
| Craigslist | — | —% | — min | —% | Scale / Maintain / Pause |
| OfferUp | — | —% | — min | —% | Scale / Maintain / Pause |
Green-light the marketplace with the best FRT → Booking Speed → Show% chain, not just message volume.
11) 30–60–90 day rollout plan
Days 1–30 (Baseline)
- Set up SSOT sheet with speed KPIs
- Publish matched listings across 3 windows
- Install saved replies + autoresponder
Days 31–60 (Optimization)
- A/B test opener and tour windows
- Tighten SLAs; add escalation
- Trim slow categories/phrases
Days 61–90 (Scale)
- Shift posting time to winner windows
- Document SOP for assistants
- Automate weekly speed scorecards
12) Troubleshooting slow replies
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| High DM volume, slow FRT | No routing or SLAs | Add backup agent + 10-min escalation |
| Many “Available?” messages | Unclear opener | Add tour times + pricing upfront |
| Low show rate | No reminders | 24h + 60m reminders + reschedule link |
| Back-and-forth on basics | Missing specs | Include dimensions/terms in first reply |
13) 25 Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is “Response Rate Study: Which Marketplace Gets Fastest Replies?”
A framework to measure FRT, reply rate, and booking speed across marketplaces.
2) Which marketplace is usually fastest?
It depends on city/category—run matched tests and decide by data.
3) Why use median FRT instead of average?
Medians resist outliers from overnight or missed messages.
4) What’s a good 10-minute Reply Rate?
80%+ during business hours is a strong baseline.
5) Do autoresponders count as a reply?
Yes, but pair with human follow-up quickly to maintain quality.
6) How many photos should I use?
8–12 clear angles; lead with the brightest image.
7) Does price in the image speed replies?
Keep price in text; if tagged on image, keep minimal and readable.
8) Should I post in groups too?
Yes—track separately; group norms can change speed.
9) How do I route messages after hours?
Autoresponder + morning sweep; offer next-day times.
10) What hurts reply speed most?
Unclear opener, missing basics, no backup agent.
11) Do boosts change speed?
They can increase volume; watch median FRT under load.
12) How do I compare cities?
Normalize by window and per 1,000 impressions.
13) What’s a healthy Booking Speed?
45–180 minutes depending on category and proof needed.
14) How do I manage spam DMs?
Verification prompts and short booking paths; report offenders.
15) Is AI allowed for replies?
Use neutral, factual language; follow platform and local rules.
16) What if I can’t respond fast enough?
Reduce posts per window, add staff, and strengthen saved replies.
17) How often should I refresh listings?
Every 7–14 days; rotate hero images and openers.
18) Can assistants run the process?
Yes—SOP + SLAs + escalation tree.
19) How do I log speed KPIs?
SSOT sheet with timestamps for first touch and booking confirm.
20) What if FRT improves but shows don’t?
Fix confirmation + reminders; verify location clarity.
21) Which opener line works best?
Availability + two tour windows + simple CTA (“DM TIMES”).
22) Do short videos help speed?
Yes—clarity reduces questions and accelerates booking.
23) How big should my test be?
3 matched windows per marketplace over 2 weeks.
24) Any legal notes?
Use neutral, factual language; comply with Fair Housing and platform policies.
25) First step today?
Publish matched listings, install saved replies, start the speed scorecard.
14) 25 Extra Keywords
- Response Rate Study: Which Marketplace Gets Fastest Replies?
- marketplace response rate
- first response time marketplace
- median frt messaging
- 10 minute reply rate
- booking speed marketplace
- facebook marketplace response speed
- craigslist reply time
- offerup response rate
- marketplace messaging sla
- saved replies templates
- marketplace autoresponder
- speed kpi scorecard
- tour window cta
- marketplace posting cadence
- bright hero image benchmark
- mobile walkthrough video
- neutral compliant copy
- utm tracking messages
- unique numbers attribution
- appointment reminder stack
- show rate improvement
- escalation routing rules
- marketplace optimization 2025
- local lead speed study
