Tips on craigslist ad posting

Craigslist is the most popular free classified ad posting site in the USA and worldwide. I have long experience of posting ads on craigslist. Craigslist has very high Alexa ranking. Due to it’s huge popularity the site is number one target of the spammers. Craigslist is upgrading it’s system continuously to fight against the spammers. Now it is harder to post the same ad on different locations or multiple times in a particular location.

Following are some tips for posting ads on craigslist over and over again:

1) Unique Email address: Try to use a different email address for each posting.

2) Unique description: You need to change the ad description each time. Otherwise, simply it is not possible to post the same ad over and over again.

3) I.P. address: Change your I.P. as frequently as possible. Craigslist allows to post about 10-20 ads per day from an I.P. If more is posted then it is blocked for few hours to few days, even permanently if abused recurrently.

4) Titles: Using a lot of different titles are also helpful. Particularly, it reduces user flagging. And obviously user flagging leads to staff deletion.

5) Time gap: Don’t post more than 10-20 ads at a time. Give some time gap between each batch of postings.
more…

Frequently Asked Questions on craigslist ad posting

*** Are you planning to advertise your product on craigslist?
Click here ***

Thanks,
Enam >> www.enamul.info
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453 Responses to “Tips on craigslist ad posting”

  1. Christopher Says:

    Do not listen to anything Craigergizer Bunny has to say. He only wants to make money for his posting services. The truth is, it doesnt matter what variables there are. There is a simple method so that everyone can continue posting without being deleted. It’s that simple.

  2. Christopher Says:

    I do not want to know any of your business, I will simply tell you the method used so that you wont be deleted. It really is that simple. I do not plan on using more than one hour that is why my price is so high. I will not be asking about what your actual business is, you do not need to give me your secret. I will tell you what needs to be done in order for your posts to not be removed. And once they are removed again you must start over.

  3. Craigergizer Bunny Says:

    Hey, great. Don’t get angry. I’m not forcing anyone to do one or the other. I am busy enough as it stands.

    I hope you can help a lot of people, and I hope whatever you recommend sticks. But what if it fails after 1 day? I doubt you’re going to offer free recalls.

    Not only that, your going to “teach” them a technique, meaning it will not work with what they have now. You cannot tell me that “your” technique will work with all software, and services being utilized. Meaning that ALL variables DO matter.

    I think you want them to start from scratch, correct? No automated posting after the ad is created? No accessing the publishing kit to auto post? My friend tell them what they are in for before selling them the snake oil.

    The ONLY ads of mine that get removed are ads reported to Cl abuse, and if the IP switching hardware fails to get a new IP address.

    If they want to make money, and have me do the work, there is absolutely noting wrong with that.

    Like I said, not trying force anything on anyone.

    Last word:
    I hope you don’t get a bogus call from CL, and teach them your “technique” so that everyone you helped is back to square one. Have you even thought of that?

  4. 11 Says:

    bunny, how do u know that ur ad’s were “reported” to cl for abuse? just because they were staff deleted?

  5. Christopher Says:

    Craigergizer Bunny: there is something wrong with that. its called security as you said before. these people need to tell you what to post and will need to give you their secret. no one wants to do that. instead they should contact me to consult with me on how to make their posts stop getting removed.

  6. NOLEGSORBRAINS Says:

    That sounds risky. Craigergizer has a really good point, Some loser from craigslist or even the suck me police could call you and you would give them advise and we would be back were we started.

  7. Christopher Says:

    Thank you for your emails so far, I am trying to help you guys as they come in. I would like to point out to you people in other countries I may not be able to help you. – You may already know that proxy services are not experiencing the red blocking code anymore. This is because they made proxies work again but set it to auto delete. So every proxy out there will be deleted. The same thing happens with foreign IP addresses most of the time. In places like India or where outsourcing companies are located, CL added these subnet ranges to the auto delete list just like proxies. There is some free information for you. I have told a few people through e-mail that I will consult with them for less of a fee if they leave me a good review on this board. Thank you.

  8. CAPTAIN SPAM Says:

    Dude I tryed your method and it sucks. Waste of money. Im doing a chargeback

  9. Christopher Says:

    You are a liar, I have not had one customer yet. Do not be fooled by this person who is saying bad things about me. Thank you.

  10. Craigergizer Bunny Says:

    Chris,

    Like I said, I know you know what you are talking about. I agree with the technical aspects you state. Yes, a client will have to give me the ad to post, but most of the people I deal with re FIRST person clients. I an too busy, too old, and too legit to play kid games. I am offering free service, and i will give years worth of references. I twill all filter down to these types of forums anyway. Yes there will be haters, and the like, but they can ask the satisfied clients. Enough said.

  11. 11 Says:

    how did u come to know this information christopher?

  12. Christopher Says:

    You asked how I know this information, because I use CL of course.

  13. FrankM Says:

    Sorry christopher, but it’s not quite as simple as that…

  14. CAPTAIN SPAM Says:

    Screw what chris says, he wont back up his words. I tryed his tactics and same ol blocked stuff. I have to go out of my way to do a chargeback.

  15. Christopher Says:

    Yes it very simple in fact. For everyone reading – please do not listen to people like frankm and captain spam. For one thing I still have not had one customer even though Ive replied to several people who I am waiting for return emails to get them started.
    People like frankm and captain spam might actually be the employees of craigslist itself trying to get you to think differently because they do not want you to know what to do. They definitely have some reason behind their messages posted. As I said I am waiting for my first customer so this person captain spam is a liar. I have not taken anyones money for my consulting services yet.

    However I am still here to help. In all honesty the reason I want to help is two reasons – one, there are less people posting because they are not able to get past the new methods craigslist is using the remove the posts. I need more people to get by so that the staff has a harder time deleting everyone. With less people posting it makes their job easier to delete the small number of people trying to post. Secondly, I find this to be an oppurtunity to make money by helping you to succeed.

    I will have my first customer shortly after I reply to this next batch of emails that came in. Dont worry I wont be replying to the staff of CL. I am monitoring who I speak with so that I do not let the information get into the wrong hands. Its really very simple and if you think otherwise its only because you are having a hard time posting. You are not smart enough to do it yourself even though you’ve tried everything and thats why you need my consulting. So please give me an email and I will be happy to help you. Thank you.

  16. FrankM Says:

    Ok, whatever Christopher…
    You just pop in here out of nowhere, accuse people of being CL staff, and then fight with everyone about your services. Way to go… that’s the way to win over potential customers.

  17. CAPTAIN SPAM Says:

    He has no logic at all. There no way to monitor who is craigslist staff. They could easily set up an yahoo email and talk to him from a friends cell phone to hide who they are. THINK ABOUT THIS PEOPLE BEFORE YOU THROW AWAY 150.00 BUCKS. If I were cl staff I wouldnt support using outsourced posting services to do ads. I just dont believe in paying for info if its thats simple.

  18. Christopher Says:

    Well thats too damn bad, we know you are already a liar because you said you paid for my service when you didnt. You should hide behind a tree and shoot yourself in the head after slapping yourself silly you bitch. Im trying to make money off other peoples spam. Just because you dont want others competing with you doesnt mean shit to me. Because Ive already answered a few people and more on are the way and I will continue to help people.

  19. alasvegasgirl4u Says:

    in my honest opinion you dont help sell your $150hr service by calling people a silly bitch (whether they are slandering you or not).
    On a more important note, same stuff going on today, same fustration. There must be a solution. I am hoping i can find a reliable person to outsource it too…as i said i found a great indian guy that did it well, but he cant compete with the present circumstances.
    Havent gotten any bids on scriptlance. Wonder if they’re getting scared off or unable.
    Also, something most fustrating, go on the eroitc services section on craigslist. Some of them are staying up long and well. Why? There inlies our answer. Back engineer thier success.

  20. Christopher Says:

    I dont really want to help you, You are competiting with my business. But if I dont help you, you will not find the method and now look at you, you are screwed. Frustrating isnt it?

  21. Christopher Says:

    FOR EVERYONE WHO TRIED TO EMAIL SORRY – MY CORRECT EMAIL IS christopheraiwa at yahoo dot com for some reason it cut the last A off. Followup to what I wrote: I will talk however the fuck I want, youre still screwed and I still have the method. I need you so staff will not be fucking with me all the time, And you need me so that your shitty messages dont get deleted all the time. :) So lets work together because money makes no enemies. christopheraiwa at yahoo dot com

  22. CAPTAIN SPAM Says:

    Lol, Just when I thought you couldnt get any more pathetic you proved me wrong, Stop trying to rip people you con artist. Dont listen to this loser. Listen to how pathetic he talks. You think hes really going to have any good advice? He ripped me so dont let him rip you. But hey its your 150.00 so piss it off any way you like.

  23. CAPTAIN SPAM Says:

    I found there 1800 number 1800-664-0633 in case anyone needs it.

  24. Christopher Says:

    I never did any business with you, you fucking moron You dont want anyone to know the methods so they wont compete with you but thats too damn bad because I keep getting emails from people who want my help. I know how bypass the new methods. Email me for consulting. christopheraiwa at yahoo dot com

  25. Christopher Says:

    Youre just lucky I want to make money from this instead of posting the methods for free then you’d really be screwed you idiot.

  26. Enam Says:

    I wonder for how many days a post remains active to publish. I thought craigslist system automatically deleted unpublished ads after 48-72 hours. But to my great surprise, I found several of my ads remained active even after one week of posting although I forgot to publish those. Today I just noticed that those are still unpublished and I successfully published those.
    Puzzled,
    I am the only student here and you all are my teacher. I have learnt a lot from you guys. Thanks to all participants.

    ~Enam
    Please participate to this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClassifiedAdPoster/

  27. LondonSP Says:

    perhaps they are detecting if you arrive straight to the posting page too, some of the macro posting scripts take you thru a more ‘natural’ route, as a user would

  28. LondonSP Says:

    What are the Variables? And what to do?

    Title – make it different, or seem different each post – some enter a mix of pure html and text
    Description – as above
    IP – change it (for those of us outside the USA, proxies + other methods)
    craigs account/email – change it
    posting speed – test 1 per 10 mins, if that sticks take it down to 9 mins, etc.
    posting schedule – randomize it

    Can anyone think of more variables?

  29. LondonSP Says:

    1 more

    enter the posting page as a punter would, rather than directly there

  30. LondonSP Says:

    1 more..
    could it be tracking each unique computer rather than just the ip?

  31. Craigergizer Bunny Says:

    Enam,

    The technique you speak of, which most software and posting services utilize, will be dismantled soon. They actually did a couple of years back, but has been ok for a while now.

    The problem with creating an ad and keeping it for publishing later via publishing kit is that you still use the same IP for creation. Threshold of >10 ads created will usually get that set removed even before posting. The issue is compounded if you use shared proxies/IPs and 1000s of other people have used it to create ads as well. The entire lot gets deleted before posting ever happens.

    So if you have a pool of ads created for later posting, you have wasted your time. I used to create 1000’s of ads before hand and post them later in the week, some later in the month, but they scan the servers for large blocks of unpublished ads, and delete them.

    The second issue, going back a couple of years, is that they actually had the time stamp of the ads correct. This meant if you created the ad at 9:00am, and posted it at 12:00pm, your ad would appear in the 9:00am position, and not in the 12:00pm spot. They will be correcting this soon. This will render almost all the software and services out there useless.

    Your ads are worthless if you create it now and post it 20 mins from now, and they are at the bottom of the heap. Correct?

  32. LondonSP Says:

    Phew..back in from the uk..manual posting only..its a start

  33. craigslist monster Says:

    Okay guys,

    So whats new for today? Do you see any new pitfalls that they have created in the last 48 hours. I am not asking for specifics here, because of CL staff has nothing better to do then listen and monitor are converstions. The whole email verifiying is a really old technique. You are right though bunny they do delete if you don’t publish those ads.

  34. lapustulebubule Says:

    There is a script on CL that auto delete all ads coming from certain ip’s. CL finally wised up and signed up to any openly available proxy service out there. All of those ip’s were added to a delete list that auto delete any ads coming from these ip’s.
    The problem with that new system is that it blocks ip addresses coming from legitimate posters. For example, almost all ip’s from ispwest.com are on that list.
    So to counter that problem, CL decided to only use the auto delete software at night in the US. During the day, the software is still used by cl staff, but they have someone monitoring and deciding which ads are deleted.
    They figured most people post during the day/evening time anyways.
    There are some techniques to counter this problem, obviously we should not discuss them here as I know for a FACT that there are 2 cl staff who regularly follow this blog as well as other yahoo groups which have now disappeared.

  35. Enam Says:

    The page has become so large.
    You should now post your comments on http://enam.wordpress.com/2007/02/18/free-classified-sites/
    I have made the new page generic for all classified sites, not just for craigslist. You are encouraged to discuss about other sites (like backpage, kijiji etc) too.
    You can post on craigslist related posts on http://classifiedsreview.blogspot.com/2007/03/synopsis-of-craigslist.html

    If you are planning to advertise your product/service on craigslist then check this.

    thanks,
    ~Enam >> http://www.enamul.info

  36. Enam Says:

    Tired of reading this long blog!!
    I have made a summary here: http://enamul.info/craigslist-ad-posting-tips.php

  37. chintan Says:

    hellooooooo,

    i want to know in which conditions ip address of craigslist is blocked by the craigslist

    authorities?

  38. Eastside53 Says:

    I tried posting an ad on craigslist for a motor and now it ways i dont have permission to be on the site and wont let me on..i didnt do anything wrong..how can i get back onto the site..thank you

  39. Grant Wilson Says:

    I have a question I have followed as much information in regards to
    Craigslist posting. Does Craigslist banned certain companies like
    3hourprofits?

    I have been trying to make money using them but Craiglist
    is not displaying any of my Ads.

    Another question would be does classifieds actually work
    with Online Business Opprtunities?

    Grant Wilson

  40. Do The Right Thing Says:

    CL was created to serve the greater good. It’s FREE. It’s useful. It’s a benefit to everyone.

    The terms leave little doubt of what to do. Any automation, 3rd party postings and abuse break the terms. Simple. Do not abuse a good thing. Newspapers charge their clients thousands of dollars for doing what CL does for free.

    CL is built on open source software to keep MS’s hooks out of them.

    Why abuse a good thing?

  41. Enam Says:

    Search craigslist multiple cities and categories >> http://craigslist-tips.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-search-craigslist-multiple.html

  42. Ghosted Ads? Says:

    I have problems with posting ad in craigslist, it never shows and I believe it’s called ghosted ad.
    other weird thing is, I have in my ad, when I post it at my home it works, but when I post it at work the ad doesn’t show (ghosted), although I’m using the same email account when posting.

    At work, I tried using other email ad (created new), the ads still ghosted.
    I tried re-create other ad (totally different copy), it shows.

    Any ideas?

  43. Craigslist Information Says:

    Craigslist definitely has issues with their database that needs war heroes to fix! i agree with Sebastian that postresql would be a more suitable fit for the mass amount of load that the database is experiencing!

    Craigslist Scams and Frauds

  44. stan Says:

    Another classified ad site that you can post to is:

    http://www.waldospost.com

  45. Chiaog Says:

    I haven’t posted in a while and want to know if CL has changed their policies. I used to post daily to all 23 of the major US cities, several times a day, totalling 150 to 200 ads daily using the following techniques that no longer work. Can someone help by telling me what has changed and what I need to do differently?

    -I would use unique email addresses, 4-5 version of the ad that’s at least 70% different in their HTML code
    -Alternate between 5-7 different titles
    -I never post or publish more than 5 ads per every 30 minute period
    -I’ve tried using a computer with an IP that’s never posted to CL before, and only 1 or 2 ads made it up.

    Now when I post, I still get the email from CL to publish, but after I publish the ad, I can get to it by the link in the publish email from CL, but if I look or search for the ad I can’t find it. Do I need to start using different IPs or Proxies? Please help. Thanks.

  46. Hrrmmm Says:

    I used to post on CL quite frequently using a cutom poster that I developed but stopped for about a year. Just recently I tried posting a few ads, but after the first small (7 – 8) batch – I noticed all of the posts were ghosted. I took it in stride, figuring they clamped down, so I limited my posts to 3 once my manual posts were being accepted but once again, all ads were ghosted. So I started investigating. No matter what I do once my posts have started to be ghosted, my ads wont go through. I do havent posted any urls or objectionable content during my investigating and have done the following but my ads wont go through:

    1. Changed IP C Class
    2. cleared chache, stored sessions, history, cookies, ect.
    3. switched browsers (just in case)
    4. Changed User-Agents (to eliminate any trace info possibly stored in it)
    5. Changed my MAC address
    6. tried using different computers
    7. Swapped DSL modems
    8. Used different ISP
    9. Used different email address (both free and non-free)
    10. tried posting in different categories offering legitimate items using very different titles and descriptions.
    11. All posts were attempted on local cl city (to rule out GEO IP tracking/blocking)
    12. Switch Windows users (not likely this would be used to block posts – but just to cover all bases)

    I have covered every base there is just about and each attempt to bypass their blocks was done manually (no automated software) and somehow CL has been able to block/prevent my posts from being displayed despite using very different C Class IP’s and ruling out nearly every conventional method. However, I would be able to go over to a family member’s house who has the same ISP and is on the same C Class blocks as I am and would be able to successfully post using one of the same email addresses I had initially used. I searched the various blogs and forums that cl posters frequent and I havent noticed much of an outcry concerning this which makes it even more puzzling. Does any of the experienced posters out there have any suggestions or insight to what might be going on?

  47. Jm Says:

    I think they’ve finally gone too far with the new phone verification system. This makes it nearly impossible to post multiple times and you can see the effect in the Services sections. There’s only about 30% of the volume of ads prior to the phone verification.

  48. steve harless Says:

    I post on average 10 ads a day, 3 in the morning 3 at noon and 4 at nite….and am doing ok, some post are “green ghosted” because I ve used the same title before.
    great blog. keep the tips coming

  49. Mohanishg Says:

    Actually i want to know what is the process of craiglist postings. I want to batter understood with YOU. I want to start to a home based business for income money. I have no proper data about this process. so please would u like to send me proper information as soon as.

  50. Ghost Says:

    The more complex craigslist blocks get, the better it will be for us who will always know a way around. Automated systems will always eventually fail. If you want something done right, you must do it yourself.

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