New figures from UAE-based online marketplace Dubizzle show a significant evolution in user behavior, with scam reports on the platform dropping 27% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. This data suggests a broader trend across the UAE’s digital economy, where trust, security, and verification are becoming critical factors for users transacting online.
Quick Facts
- Scam reports on the platform fell 27% YoY.
- Over 660,000 users are now officially verified.
- Verification applications increased by 17.3% in Q1 2026.
Verification Becomes the New Standard
The data points to a growing user preference for transparency in peer-to-peer commerce. With over 660,000 verified users, Dubizzle is seeing a clear demand for more accountable trading environments. This is further supported by a 17.3% increase in verification applications during Q1, indicating users are actively seeking out platforms with built-in safeguards.
Platform-wide security improvements also highlight a more proactive approach to user safety. Dubizzle reported a 33% decline in suspicious links and a steep 78% drop in account-related issues, with most flagged activity now being addressed within 48 hours. Together, these metrics paint a picture of a marketplace that is becoming more effective at managing risk in real time.
A Maturing Digital Marketplace
This trend signifies a new phase of growth for the region’s classifieds sector. As digital platforms become more integrated into daily life, trust is shifting from a background support function to a core product feature. Features like in-platform chat, robust user verification, and swift moderation are now defining the quality of the user experience and shaping consumer expectations.
“Our focus is simple: to make trust easier to build across the entire user journey,” said Muneeb Farrukh, Vice President of Product at dubizzle.
“Safety is no longer a background function operating silently within digital platforms, it is becoming embedded within the product experience itself. Today’s users are far more intentional about where they engage online. Credibility is no longer assumed; it is earned through every interaction. This shift extends beyond any single marketplace. It reflects a broader industry evolution, where trust is no longer a supporting feature, but a core component of how products are designed and experienced.”
Recent feature additions, including QR code screening and real-time chat guidance, further demonstrate a move towards early intervention to reduce risk before issues can escalate. As the UAE’s digital economy grows, such indicators of marketplace health are becoming key to measuring not just a platform’s internal progress, but the overall ecosystem’s commitment to accountability.
About dubizzle
Dubizzle is a leading online classifieds platform in the UAE and a key part of the homegrown unicorn, Dubizzle Group. As the country’s largest classifieds site, it connects millions of buyers and sellers across categories including properties, cars, jobs, and general goods. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and a strong commitment to transparency and consumer protection in online commerce.
Source: Zawya
