Craigslist Posting Guidelines
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How do I post a free posting?
How can I edit my posting?
How soon does my posting expire?
How can I delete my posting?
How do I repost my posting?
How often can I post?
How can I post anonymously and still receive responses?
I have not received the email to self-publish my free posting, what should I do?
Can I add a picture to my posting?
Can I use HTML tags or URLs in my posting?
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
What kind of postings are prohibited?
What should I do if someone harasses me by posting a prank posting?
Can I post to all of craigslist’s sites?
What category is appropriate for posting focus group opportunities?
I saw a particular posting 6 months ago and would like to see it again. Can I?
Where can I advertise my services/business on craigslist?
Can I offer a posting service or act as a posting agent on craigslist?
Can I put a link in my for sale posting to an auction site like ebay?
Can I scalp my tickets and popular gift items on craigslist?
You can post a free ad without having an account or logging in to our site. To learn how, please read our help page on how to create a free post. However, having a craigslist account will allow you to post, edit, delete, and repost more easily.
Edits for postings are now self-service.
If you posted while logged in to your account, you can edit from your account homepage.
Otherwise, use the link provided in the same self-posting email you used originally to self-post. If you can’t find this, try having it re-sent.
View the full list of posting lifespans.
If you posted using an account, you can delete your posting from your account homepage.
Otherwise, use the same link provided in the self-posting email that you used to post the ad originally. If you can’t find this, try having it re-sent.
Please note, all postings are automatically deleted upon expiration.
For more information on reposting free ads, see this page.
For information on reposting paid ads, please visit this page.
You may post to one category and in one city, no more than once every 48 hours.
If you try to post something similar to an active post of yours on the site, you may get a blocked message. Removing the similar active post should help, unless it is less than 48 hours old.
When submitting a posting, you are asked to provide your email address.
You have three options:
You can use craigslist 2-way email relay. Responses are relayed to your actual email address.
Your email address can appear in your posting just as you have typed it.
No email address shown at all—you’ll need to provide contact information in the body of your post.
Using craigslist 2-way email relay helps protect both your email address and the email address of anyone who replies to your post. It is generally recommended and is the default option.
craigslist mail relay is always an option, but some of the options listed above may not be available in other categories. For example, if you are posting in the personal categories, option #2 is not available.
If you are using an online email account, please check your bulk/junk/spam mail folder(s).
You may have entered your email address incorrectly—it only takes one typo!
Some email providers and ISPs have implemented “spam filters” some of which are badly designed or misconfigured, resulting in craigslist emails being filtered out or intercepted.
Your email provider may be experiencing delays, or other technical issues.
In some categories, you will be offered the option to “Add Images” during the posting process. You will be prompted to upload images from your computer to craigslist.
Please use HTML sparingly. Users generally prefer ads with little or no added HTML.
Please use only HTML tags appropriate for the
No support is provided for JavaScript, applets, Flash, or other embedded non-HTML content.
For more information see our HTML Guidelines.
If you use HTML in any part of your posting, you must use it throughout.
Please consult the Terms of Use.
Category-specific guidelines posted in specific sections of the site must also be observed.
For your reference, there is also a non-comprehensive list of prohibited items/content.
If you are the target of a prank or other harassment related to a craigslist post, please contact us immediately using the suggestions we outline on our abuse help page.
Please choose just ONE local craigslist site for which your ad is most relevant—generally the site closest to you. If your ad is equally relevant to all locations, your ad does not belong on craigslist. Please find another service. Posting the same ad to multiple locations on craigslist is prohibited.
Focus group opportunities can be posted to the “et cetera” jobs category, or in the “gigs” section.
Generally not. We will however respond to a valid subpoena for that information.
Only in the “services offered” categories please.
Unauthorized posting agents/services are prohibited. Violators agree to pay CL liquidated damages for each posting.
No. Please post a set price, do not solicit bidding, and do not link to auctions elsewhere.
Many users will flag posts scalping tickets or popular gift items for way over face value.
Craigslist Guidelines – Small Business – Chron.com
Prior to posting an advertisement on Craigslist, you must read and agree to the terms of use. The terms of use set forth guidelines to keep everyone using Craigslist safe, and to stop illegal use. It is your responsibility to remain up to date on Craigslist’s guidelines before you post an advertisement. Posting Frequency Craigslist specifies that you may post only one advertisement in your location, in each category, every 48 hours. This guideline is meant to prevent a spammer from posting the same ad in multiple categories or cities within a short period of time. Sticking to one post in one category cuts down on excessive posting. Posting Agent Craigslist does not allow you to act as a posting agent — meaning that you can’t accept money to post advertisements for another person or company. Anything that you post on Craigslist must be your own posting. Posting on behalf of someone else is not allowed unless you have explicit permission from Craigslist. Prohibited Content Craigslist does not allow you to post any content that solicits illegal activity, or any pornographic content. You must not post any harassing, unlawful or discriminatory content. While using Craigslist, you must adhere to the Fair Housing Act if posting in the housing or rental sections, and your local and Federal employment laws if you are posting an ad regarding employment. Solicitation The only section of Craigslist that allows solicitation or promotion of a business is the “Services” section. Therefore, you can’t post advertisements or links to your business or service anywhere else on the site. You are also not allowed to email posters advertising your business. References Writer Bio Sarah Thomas has been a freelance writer for more than five years. She has ghostwritten e-books and articles on weddings and other topics. Her work has also been published on various websites. Thomas graduated from Daemen College with a degree in psychology.
Buying or selling on Craigslist? Here’s how to get the most out
Craigslist, a free classified advertising website, was started by Craig Newmark in the mid 1990s to highlight events in and around the San Francisco Bay is now used in nearly 70 countries and in multiple languages and has categories such as job postings, housing, services and community events. I have been using the site for years to buy inventory for my store, as well as items for myself. I look at the site almost aigslist can be an effective tool to buy and sell items, but it can be even more effective if used properly. Although it’s free, it has rules just like anything else. Terms of Use exist for many things, but we are most familiar with their use in the software industry. Remember when you installed a new program and you had to click on “I have read and understood these conditions? ” This was the TOU. (No one ever actually read them, they just clicked yes and proceeded to use the new software. )Terms of Use spell out each parties’ responsibilities in case there is a problem. It deals with issues and liabilities arising from use of the company’s product and is a legal contract that you essentially consent to by using the aigslist has several rules that, if followed, allow the platform to function fairly for first is the prohibited items list. Weapons are top of the list. Craigslist doesn’t allow the sale of firearms (or parts of), BB guns, spearguns, ammunition or devices to hold ammunition in a firearm, reloading supplies or gunpowder. More:What is the future of antiques, and will they be worth anything in 10 years? More:Antiques: Enjoy collecting? Don’t let pests turn your treasures into dinnerMore:Love vinyl? Titusville music enthusiast picks 10 albums every audiophile should ownOther items are also straight forward. The list of things Craigslist doesn’t allow includes pornography, exploitation of minors or others, drugs (prescription or otherwise), alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, altered foodstuffs, pets, exotic animals, government controlled assistance/ID cards, stolen property, counterfeit items or prostitution. Most of the site’s prohibited list makes pretty good sense. Getting around these rules using bait and switch keywords in searches is also prohibited. (We all know when you say “Home Defense Item” you mean firearm. )The next item on the play fair agenda is the posting frequency rule. You can post to one category and in one city only once in 48 hours. This gives everyone a chance to post. Craigslist records 20 billion page views per month, 2 million new job postings per month, and has more than 49. 4 million unique monthly visitors in the US you violate the rules, your post can be removed. This happens several ways. One is for their automated systems to remove your ad. Another is by having your ad flagged. This is done by other users policing the site. If someone sees you have posted something that violates craigslist policy or is listed improperly, they can flag it for review. If it gets enough flags, it will be removed automatically and you may be blocked for a period of aigslist can be an effective tool for both buyers and sellers, but there are people who just don’t seem to want to follow the rules. If they did, they might have more are some tips for successful postings on craigslist:Don’t post multiple listings for the same item right after one another or in multiple categories. It’s not only against the rules, it’s annoying to see several listings for the same item three times in a row and it wastes people’s ’t keep posting the same item over and over again. I see ads for items that have been on the site for years. Same listing, same photos, same price. Change it up. Lower the price, shoot new and better photos, or take a break and re-post it in the proper category. (This is a big pet peeve of mine. ) I know you think if you post your item in all the categories, it will sell faster. Nope. If your item is posted in the wrong category, it’s not going to be seen by the audience you are trying to reach. Your collectible plates don’t go under the antique category. (Antiques, by definition, are 100 or more years old). Likewise, don’t post your car for sale in the photo category (yes, people do this). When you post in the wrong category, people will flag your ad because it’s in the wrong place, and it won’t be seen at ’t fish for a high price. Do your homework and research your item’s value. Don’t put an item up for an inflated price assuming that it’s rare just because it’s the only one you have ever seen. Be fair, leave a bit of haggle room, and you will have more and sale prices are the same. People will downgrade a trade value because it’s not cash. If you are trading something, or taking something on trade toward your item, it’s worth what it’s worth. If something is worth $500 to sell, then it should be worth $500 trade value. I have never understood this practice. If you devalue trades, your barter ad isn’t going to work is an entire section for wanted ads. Don’t put your ads searching for something in other categories. If you buy knives, put your ad in the wanted section. Then, if I have a several knives for sale, I will go to the wanted section to see who has an ad that says “I buy knives! ” This allows me to sell my knives in one shot instead of listing them good, clear photos and write a good description. Many times photos are posted sideways, blurry or exposed improperly. Take good photos showing your item from all sides. Show any defects and tell your possible buyer everything you can to help them decide to call you see something posted that shouldn’t be, flag it. This lets the system administrators know there is a problem. If everyone did this, many of the scams and fake ads would eventually dwindle. If it’s in the wrong category, flag it so the appropriate items are in the proper categories. This helps you make an appointment to meet someone to look at an item or to buy it, show up. I have heard many times over the years that people stopped using Craigslist because they kept getting blown off by buyers. People will stop listing great stuff if they feel abused, and then everyone misses out. Be respectful. If you can’t make the appointment, or change your mind, call and say your item sells, take down your listing. No one wants to call about an item only to hear it’s been sold. If you take the ad down, you don’t have to answer a bunch of calls telling people it’s gone. Some ads take up to 45 days to, it’s okay to be cautious while using Craigslist. In fact it’s prudent. Meet people in a public place. Use it locally. Don’t try to buy and sell across states, as this sets up options for scams. Be careful about how and when you invite people into your home. Don’t give out personal details, because you get a “good vibe” from someone. And generally remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably work best when everyone plays fair and follows the rules. Craigslist is not an exception just because it’s free and Kindle is the owner of Five Katz Antiques in Titusville. He is a retired photographer who moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in 2006. Kindle has more than 30 years of experience with antiques and collecting. Email local journalism: Find offers for new subscribers at
Frequently Asked Questions about craigslist posting guidelines
What are the rules for posting on Craigslist?
Craigslist specifies that you may post only one advertisement in your location, in each category, every 48 hours. This guideline is meant to prevent a spammer from posting the same ad in multiple categories or cities within a short period of time. Sticking to one post in one category cuts down on excessive posting.
What can’t you post on Craigslist?
The list of things Craigslist doesn’t allow includes pornography, exploitation of minors or others, drugs (prescription or otherwise), alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, altered foodstuffs, pets, exotic animals, government controlled assistance/ID cards, stolen property, counterfeit items or prostitution.May 13, 2021
How much can you post on Craigslist?
According to the rules listed on Craigslist’s website, users may post in only one category in one geographical area once every 48 hours. Following these posting rules are essential: If you post too often or post similar ads in different locations too close to one another, the ads will be blocked.