Mercari Axes Public Comments Feature To Curb Security Risks & Negative Interactions

Mercari is getting rid of Public Comments on listings effective February 10th in effort to curb spam, security risks, and negative interactions on the platform.

The announcement was emailed to users this week, saying the company had heard feedback the feature was "less helpful than planned."

We introduced public comments to help our users connect and find answers about listings. However, we've heard your feedback. Concerns about unwanted critiques, various risks, and difficulties managing negative interactions have made the feature less helpful than planned.

On 2/10/2025, we will remove the public comments section on listings. No action is required on your part.

This change is intended to simplify the marketplace and help offer a positive, straightforward buying and selling experience.

We appreciate your feedback and remain committed to making Mercari a platform that supports your success and peace of mind.

The move was met with the most positive response from sellers of any change Mercari has instituted in years, with one post on Reddit receiving over 200 overwhelmingly positive comments.

Way overdue. The only purpose these served was for people to complain about pricing or try to scam. Scam listings just had a bunch of reported warning comments with the contents blanked out.

I'll take it. I'm done with price police and scammer posts. There is no other selling platform that does this. It's not needed maybe trolls and scammers want it but I don't need it.

If you have time to go looking thru mercari and posting on listings that it's a scam you are wasting that time, you can be doing other things.

FINALLY. The comments section is nothing but a breeding ground for scammers and “omg this is so overpriced!!!!” complaints. This was one of my biggest gripes with Mercari over the past few years, so I am incredibly happy to see it going away again!

It also comes at a time when Mercari says they are putting trust and safety at the forefront for both the US and Japan marketplaces with new security measures implemented in recent months.

Mercari Aims To Grow GMV, Increase Security As US Marketplace Still Struggles

Mercari reports earnings for quarter ending December 2024 with GMV below expectations for Japan & US as security issues & fee missteps stymie growth.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton

What do you think of Mercari killing off the public comments feature? Let us know in the comments below!