Privacy Settings: What Others Can See About You
markto.ch lets you control what personal information is visible to other users (buyers, sellers, or casual browsers). These settings help you balance visibility for better deals with privacy protection. All changes are made in your account settings.
How to Access Privacy Settings
- Log in to your account.
- Click your profile icon or name (top-right corner).
- Select Settings, Account Settings, Privacy, Privacy & Visibility, or Profile Settings.
- Look for tabs or sections labeled Privacy, Visibility, Who can see, Profile Privacy, or Data Sharing.
Key Privacy Controls & What Others See
| Setting / Information | Options / Levels | What others see by default | Recommendation for most users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Name | Editable (first name, nickname, etc.) | Always visible on your ads, messages, profile | Use first name or friendly nickname |
| Profile Picture | Upload/change/remove | Visible on profile, ads, search results (if set) | Keep a clear photo for trust; remove if maximum privacy needed |
| Phone Number | Hide completely / Show only in messages / Show publicly | Hidden by default (only visible after you start messaging) | Keep hidden – safest option |
| Email Address | Never shown publicly | Never visible to others | No action needed – always private |
| Location | Exact city/postal code / Approximate / Hidden | Approximate city/region shown on ads (if you post) | Use approximate city for local relevance without exact address |
| Bio / About Me | Editable text | Visible on your profile and sometimes next to ads | Keep short & neutral; avoid personal details |
| Online Status / Last Active | Shown or hidden | May show “Online now” or “Active recently” | Hide if you prefer not to broadcast activity |
| Favorites / Saved Searches | Private by design | Never visible to others | No action needed |
| Ad History | Your past/current listings | Visible only if ads are still active | Delete old ads when no longer relevant |
Step-by-Step: Adjusting Common Privacy Settings
- Hide Phone Number Completely
- Go to Privacy or Contact Info section
- Select Hide phone number or Do not show publicly
- Save → Buyers can still message you via the platform
- Control Location Visibility
- In Location or Privacy settings
- Choose Show approximate city/region only or Hide exact postal code
- Save → Your ads still appear in local searches without revealing your street
- Limit Profile Details
- Edit profile → remove or shorten bio
- If possible, set profile picture to private or remove it (though this reduces trust)
- Other Visibility Toggles (if available)
- Turn off “Show online status”
- Disable “Allow others to see my activity” or similar options
Quick Tips for Maximum Privacy
- Set phone number to hidden and rely on internal messaging only
- Use approximate city (e.g., “Zurich” instead of full postal code)
- Keep bio short and non-personal (no phone, email, social links)
- Regularly delete old listings you no longer need
- Avoid posting very specific location details in ad descriptions
- Never share extra personal info in messages until you trust the other person
Troubleshooting
- Changes not visible? Log out/in or refresh the page.
- Still see too much info on your ads? Check per-ad privacy options when editing listings.
- Missing privacy options? The platform may control some visibility automatically (e.g., email always hidden). Contact support via the “Contact” link if unsure.
Review these settings once after setup, then once every few months. A good balance: enough info to build trust and get responses, but nothing unnecessary exposed.
Your privacy is now under your control on markto.ch!