Post On Craigslist Without Getting Flagged
6 Ways to Avoid Ghosting on Craigslist – Knock CRM
It is undeniable that Craigslist is an essential channel for multifamily property managers because it is a free channel that prospects regularly visit as they look for new apartments. However, it may not seem so “free” when leasing agent time is spent posting and that post is flagged or deleted by Craigslist – a practice known as “ghosting. ” When a post is ghosted, your ad will be visible from your account but will be hidden from public view. Unfortunately, when it comes to posting to Craigslist, there are many things completely outside of anyone’s control. Ghosting happens to be one of them, but we have pulled together some helpful information on how to avoid this. Please keep in mind these are just tips and there are no guarantees – but this will give you the best shot of your posts being seen by prospects! Things to be aware of when it comes to Craigslist flagging and moderation: There is a very active moderation community on CL. These are Craigslist users that review posts, looking for any content that (they perceive) violates the Craigslist terms of use: There are paid services that specialize in flagging posts (their goal is to flag all posts so only their customer’s posts are the only ones left! ) Craigslist utilizes their own manual and automated moderation tools. The exact methods they use are private, but see tips below There is a wide belief that users who have their posts flagged and removed have a lower flagging threshold in the future. This makes it very important to prevent getting these 6 suggestions to avoid your craigslist posts being flagged. 1. Don’t post the same/similar unit more than once per 48 hoursYou are only able to post to the same city / category once every 48 hours for the same item. If the price range is close / identical, it could be perceived as posting the same item. 2. Don’t post repetitive content. This includes:The same body of the ad, including a description or special. You should also avoid posting the same set of photos. Just re-arrange the photo orders, and don’t use more than 8-10. 3. Don’t promote your community, instead promote your unitCraigslist is a marketplace to buy and sell, not advertise. So, ads that aren’t specific in what they are selling, or if there is a “bait and switch”, a post may get flagged for removal. 4. Don’t use spammy or salesy wordsWhile such language doesn’t violate Craigslist Terms of Use, spammy language is often cited as a reason for community moderators to flag posts. 5. Don’t leave out key informationWhile there are no rules on what is required in an ad (other than what is required in the posting process), community moderators often flag posts that are not descriptive of the item (unit) being offered. 6. Don’t over-stylize your adsThis includes using multiple font sizes, bold fonts, underlined fonts, italics, and unnecessary capitalization. While stylizing ads doesn’t violate Craigslist Terms of Use, over-stylized posts may be perceived as coming from a template, which may attract more nclusionFollowing these six steps will give you the best chance of your posts being seen by prospects looking for a new apartment. If you want to learn more about how to better optimize Craigslist content to improve conversion within the channel, check out our post on how to Up Your Craigslist more tips like these, sign up for Knock’s newsletter.
How to Stop Getting Flagged on Craigslist – Small Business …
Craigslist’s classifieds service can be a valuable tool in any small business owner’s advertising exposure plan. According to Craigslist, the site experiences monthly traffic of approximately 50 billion page views. Accidental and malicious flagging, though, can cause difficulties. As flagging is performed by Craigslist’s automated system and staff, and other users, you can’t permanently stop all flagging, but you can take certain actions to limit it. Follow Craigslist’s Guidelines Ads are often flagged because they fail to meet Craigslist’s Terms of Service and other guidelines. For example, Craigslist doesn’t want you to post about auctions, bidding or business opportunities involving multi-level marketing, club membership recruitment or up front investments. Ads offering prohibited items, such as weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs or hazardous materials are also flagged. Additionally, Craigslist requires that you post in the correct category. Post ads for services under the “Service Offered” option and job opportunities under the “Job Offered” or “Gig Offered” options. To post about an employment-related event, such as a job fair, use the “Events” option. Stop Spammy Behavior Craigslist warns users that it won’t tolerate spam, such as identical or almost identical ads posted in multiple geographic locations, or at the same time, in one area under different categories. Pick one local city or area and one category for your ad and wait at least 48 hours between each new ad posting. If you need wider coverage, Craigslist states in its FAQ that you should take the ad elsewhere. Additionally, never post a phone number containing an odd combination of text and numbers, such as phone number “5five5-one21two. ” Craigslist flags this activity because spammers use this method to try to stop its automated system and staff from detecting their ads. Change Ad Format and Wording Use of text formatting that is too commercial often results in flagging. For example, limit use of ALL CAPS and symbols in the post title and ad text, and sales language meant to coerce, such as “BUY NOW! ” or “Call NOW! Offer ends TODAY!. ” Additionally, triple-check the wording you use to present your service and remove any language that makes your ad seem deceptive or unclear. Ads with similar wording to other user ads are also often flagged. Review the ads in the Services Offered sub-category where you originally posted your ad and then rewrite your ad as needed. Report Flagging Problems Craigslist recommends that you ask other users in the Help Forum (link in Resources) to review and offer advice about a flagged ad before contacting the company. If you still believe a flagging error occurred, use the “Contact Us” form (link in Resources). Pick “Harassment/Flagging” and then “My ad was flagged off and it abides by the terms of use. ” Provide all requested information and then click “Send Email Message. ” Some Craigslist posters flag their competitors’ ads. If you believe a competitor flagged your ad, obtain the posting ID beneath one of his ads and enter it, along with his name and contact information, in the “Describe the Issue” section before you submit the form. Disclaimer Information in this article applies to Craigslist as of November 2013. References Resources Writer Bio Based in Southern Pennsylvania, Irene A. Blake has been writing on a wide range of topics for over a decade. Her work has appeared in projects by The National Network for Artist Placement, the-phone-book Limited and GateHouse Media. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Shippensburg University.
Why Is Craigslist Canceling My Listing? – Small Business – Chron.com
If you’re using Craigslist for any aspect of your business — whether selling items or recruiting freelancers — you can make the most of the site by understanding its terms of use. This document, available on the Craigslist site, can give some clues as to why a particular listing might have been cancelled. Flagged Listings Listings may be cancelled if they are flagged by other Craigslist users. Posts can be flagged because they are in the wrong category, discuss another ad, violate the terms of use or are considered to be spam. Posts that appear too frequently or across too many categories may be flagged. Free classified ads that receive sufficient flags are automatically removed, whereas paid adverts are queued up for review. Posts can also be flagged by Craigslist staff or by the network’s automated systems. Deleted and Expired Listings Craigslist postings can be deleted by the user who created them. If one of your ads has vanished suddenly, check that none of your colleagues have chosen to remove it. Listings also expire after a certain amount of time has elapsed, depending on the type of posting and the city it is associated in. Paid job postings, for example, expire after 30 days, while event listings remain on Craigslist until the specified date of the event has passed. Terms of Use Violations Most of the listings that are removed from Craigslist are deleted because they violate the site’s terms of use in some way. Content prohibited from Craigslist by the terms of use includes illegal, offensive, fraudulent and malicious content. In addition, listings that disclose personal, confidential or proprietary information, and listings that promote auto-posting services or unsolicited services, such as cold calling, are also forbidden from appearing on the site. Posting Limitations The Craigslist terms of use cover posting limitations as well as guidelines on what can and cannot be listed. Posts must be associated with the correct local area, and substantially similar content cannot be posted on multiple regional listings or multiple categories simultaneously. Posts that are identical or close to identical may not be posted within the space of 48 hours. The use of any kind of technological hack to circumvent Craigslist’s posting limitations is not allowed, as is posting on behalf of another, using any automated posting means and any content related to affiliate marketing. Each user must use a single verified account. Prohibited Items Certain items are prohibited on Craigslist. These include child pornography, obscene material, offers of illegal prostitution, weapons and related items, items issued to the US Armed Forces that haven’t been correctly disposed of, food stamps and other items received from governmental agencies; fireworks, explosives and other destructive devices; alcohol and tobacco products, controlled substances and illegal drugs (or substances used to make them); blood, bodily fluids, body parts, household pets of any kind, restricted or regulated plants and insects, and pesticides and hazardous substances. Also on the list are illegal telecommunications equipment, stolen property, burglary tools, property with serial numbers removed, fake ID, counterfeit currency and tickets (and the equipment used to make them), tickets you don’t have the right to sell, used or rebuilt batteries, used bedding and clothing (unless sanitized in accordance with the law); non-packaged food items and adulterated food and bulk email and mailing lists containing names, addresses and other personal identifying information. Even the official Craigslist list (in Resources) is not comprehensive. If your posting contains a prohibited item then it’s likely to be deleted. References Resources Writer Bio An information technology journalist since 2002, David Nield writes about the Web, technology, hardware and software. He is an experienced editor, proofreader and copywriter for online publications such as CNET, TechRadar and Gizmodo. Nield holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and lives in Manchester, England.
Frequently Asked Questions about post on craigslist without getting flagged
Why does my post on Craigslist keep getting flagged?
Ads are often flagged because they fail to meet Craigslist’s Terms of Service and other guidelines. … Ads offering prohibited items, such as weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs or hazardous materials are also flagged. Additionally, Craigslist requires that you post in the correct category.
Why does Craigslist keep removing my post?
Most of the listings that are removed from Craigslist are deleted because they violate the site’s terms of use in some way. Content prohibited from Craigslist by the terms of use includes illegal, offensive, fraudulent and malicious content.
