How to Post an Ad on Craigslist

Craigslist on phone
It's easy to post an ad to Craigslist, whether from your phone or your computer. Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Craigslist is like the Mom and Pop shop of the internet. It may not look like much, but you'll be amazed at the things you can find. Craigslist is an internationally popular website used for posting jobs, items for sale, real estate, services and personal ads. Take advantage of this free service by creating your own advertisement. Read the steps listed below and learn how to post an ad on Craigslist.

  1. Type the URL http://craigslist.org into your browser.
  2. Click on the link, "create a posting," that is located on the upper left hand side of the screen.
  3. Choose the location that best fits your posting.
  4. Click on the type of post you want to place. Choices include jobs, housing, items for sale, services and personals. Depending on what you choose, you will either be taken to a list of options that apply to your post or a list of specified categories.
  5. Click the option that best applies to your post or the category that best describes your post.
  6. Fill in the applicable fields when you arrive at the window to describe your post. Keep your posting title concise and clear. Ensure that all the fields are fully filled in.
  7. Click the "continue" button.
  8. Click on the map to pinpoint your location or type in your exact location – street, cross street, city and postal code – and click the "find" button.
  9. Upload any images that pertain to your ad.
  10. Review the mock ad for incorrect or confusing information and spelling mistakes. If you want to edit the ad, click on the "edit post" button. It will take you back to the previous screen. You can also edit the location and images. If you're pleased, click the "publish" button.
  11. Check your email. Craigslist will send you an email that will enable you to publish, edit or delete your posting. The link expires in 30 minutes.
  12. Once you've clicked the link, it's time to set up your account. You can either type in a password or go without a password.
  13. Read the terms of use. If you consent to all the terms, click on the "accept" button. If you don't consent, click on the "decline" button.
  14. You have now posted your ad on Craigslist.

Note: You can post an ad on Craigslist without setting up an account, but setting up one will allow you to be able to edit, delete or post more easily. Without that step, if you do need to make changes, you'll need to use the link that was originally sent to your email.

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How to Post Using the Craigslist App

  1. Download the Craigslist mobile app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
  2. Once you install and open the app, tap the "get started" button.
  3. You can either share your location or tap "not now." You can type in a ZIP/postal code that best fits your posting if you decide not to share your current location. Tap the "choose this location" button if the area on the map matches your current location.
  4. Tap the "post" button (plus sign) on the bottom center of the screen to get started on your ad.
  5. Similar to the steps above, you can choose an image, fill in the applicable fields that describe your ad and confirm your location.
  6. If you're pleased, click the "publish" button. Your ad on Craigslist will be live.

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Craigslist FAQ

How do I post something on Craigslist for free?
1. Visit craiglist.org. 2. Click on the "create a posting" link in the top-left corner. 3. Choose a post category. 4. Enter the details for your post. 5. A link will be sent to your email confirming the post. Once you click on that accepting it, your ad will be live.
What is Craigslist USA?
Craigslist was created in 1996 by Craig Newmark, a San Francisco-based computer programmer. He started a free website where people could exchange information, a new concept at the time. Today, it contains sections dedicated to services, items wanted, items for sale, housing jobs, gigs, community service and discussion forums. Craigslist has several versions for other countries as well.
How do I search all of U.S. Craigslist?
Craiglist is divided by cities. It doesn’t have a lot of options for searching the entire website at one time. You can do it using Google, entering "site:craigslist.org" and the name of the item you're looking for in the search bar. You can also try searching with a third-party tool like https://www.searchcraigslist.org or https://www.searchtempest.com/.

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