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Craigslist Personals once dominated the online dating landscape, leaving no room for competition. But as with all great things, it came to an abrupt end with no sign of returning. Though its closure was unfortunate, it led to the rise of several alternatives that, in our opinion, came quite close to replicating the original experience.
Contents
- What Was Craigslist Personals? Why Did It Shut Down?
- The Impact of Craigslist Personals Termination
- Why Was Craigslist Personals So Important?
- What Opportunities Did Personal Ads Provide?
- Why Snapchat Can’t Be A Replacement?
- Why Did Backpage.com Shut Down?
- Top 3 Alternatives to Craigslist Personals
- DoULike.com
- Bedpage.com
- OutPersonals.com
- Locanto.com
- Oodle.com
- Doublelist.com
- iBackpage.com
- Classifiedads.com
- Hoobly.com
- Adultsearch
- Seeking.com
A Good Craigslist Personals Alternative
Now that we’ve covered a bit of the history, let’s look at replacements for Craigslist Personals. We will cover key details about these sites, including launch dates, visitor numbers, user counts, and what makes each a viable replacement. Additionally, we’ll explore who each site is suited for, what they offer, and the unique features they provide.
1. DoULike.com
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- Monthly Active Users: 600K+
DoULike.com stands out as a great dating platform. With more than 600K active users every month, it’s an ideal space for singles. The site offers features typical of a top-tier dating site and even has a dedicated mobile app. It ensures the authenticity of profiles by verifying them multiple times, reducing the risk of encountering fakes. With a broad age range and a fantastic matching algorithm, it’s a fantastic option for anyone looking for a quality experience.
2. Bedpage.com
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- Daily Visits: 5000
- Active Users: 260,000
Bedpage is an underrated alternative that closely mirrors Craigslist Personals. Its functionality and appearance are very similar to Craigslist, minus the controversial sections. With over 5000 daily visits and 260,000 active users, the site offers great customization options for personal ads, allowing users to target specific types of connections. It’s a great fit for those looking for a straightforward experience without all the bells and whistles.
3. OutPersonals.com
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- Active Users: 500,000
OutPersonals is a popular platform, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. With a large international following of 500,000 members, it’s an active space for users looking to connect. The blog posting feature is a unique touch, providing an additional way for users to share thoughts and ideas. The site’s vibrant community makes it a great space for anyone seeking a connection.
4. Locanto.com
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- Registered Users: 450,000
- Daily Users: 2000
Based in Germany, Locanto offers a broad range of classified ads, including a personals section. With more than 450,000 registered users and 2000 daily active users, it’s a great place for beginners. Unique features include beginner-friendly categories like “men seeking women” and “casual encounters.” The platform also has a mobile app for easy access on the go.
5. Oodle.com
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- Registered Users: 350,000
Oodle, much like Craigslist, started as a classified ads site. It offers a similar experience, with over 1000 new ads posted daily. The platform has a large, active user base of 350,000 members. What sets Oodle apart is the ability to scan the web for personal offers, providing users with even more options.
6. Doublelist.com
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- Registered Users: 11,000,000
Doublelist blends elements of Craigslist Personals with its own unique offerings. Known for its great UI and reliable performance, Doublelist allows users to post quick classifieds and personals ads. With over 11 million registered users, the site is especially popular with the LGBTQ+ community but also appeals to those seeking one-night stands. Privacy and safety are emphasized, ensuring a secure environment for all users.
7. iBackpage.com
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- Monthly Users: 550,000
iBackpage is another popular Craigslist alternative. It offers both free and premium features, with a focus on casual encounters. The site also caters to the LGBTQ+ community, providing a dedicated section for its users. One of its standout features is its geolocation-based partner search, which helps users find people in their area.
8. Classifiedads.com
Monthly Users: 400,000
ClassifiedAds is a solid alternative to Craigslist, with a strong user base of over 3 million unique monthly visitors. Its personals section mirrors Craigslist with categories such as “casual dating” and “men seeking women.” Despite being a small startup, ClassifiedAds has slowly gained traction in the online classifieds space.
9. Hoobly.com
Monthly Users: 500,000
Hoobly is another excellent local classified ad site. Though its most popular category is pet ads, it also allows users to post ads in various categories, including real estate and sales. However, it currently lacks a dedicated personals section, so it’s not ideal for dating purposes, but it’s still a great platform for other needs.
10. Adultsearch
Adultsearch is a hookup-focused site with a large user base, perfect for those seeking casual encounters. It’s a great place to find adult connections with people of all genders and ages.
11. Seeking.com
Monthly Users: 250,000
Seeking.com (formerly SeekingArrangement) caters to those looking for sugar daddies or sugar babes. It’s not a classified ads platform, but it serves those with specific relationship goals, offering a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to online dating.
What Was Craigslist Personals? Why Did It Shut Down?
Craigslist Personals used to be a prominent section for online dating. However, it sparked controversy due to sub-sections like “casual encounters” and “erotic services.” These sections attracted significant attention, leading to government intervention. To combat sex trafficking, the platform was forced to shut down its personals section, which also affected many sex workers relying on the site.
The Impact of Craigslist Personals Termination
The shutdown of Craigslist Personals left a significant void in the online dating world, particularly affecting those who valued anonymity and simple, no-strings-attached encounters. It also impacted many people within marginalized communities, such as bisexuals and sex workers, who had relied on the platform for connections.
Why Was Craigslist Personals So Important?
Craigslist Personals was known for its privacy, allowing users to maintain anonymity while exploring their dating preferences. This sense of security made it especially popular among those who wanted to connect without revealing their identity. Many people met long-term partners through Craigslist, making it an important part of the online dating landscape.
What Opportunities Did Personal Ads Provide?
Craigslist Personals was a space where individuals, including LGBTQ+ people and those in open relationships, could find others who shared similar interests. It allowed for a range of experiences, from casual encounters to more meaningful connections, all within a highly private and judgment-free space.
Why Snapchat Can’t Be A Replacement?
Snapchat lacks the features necessary for online dating, as it’s primarily designed for photo and video sharing. It doesn’t have the structured profiles or match-making systems that dating platforms provide, making it an ineffective replacement for Craigslist Personals.
Why Did Backpage.com Shut Down?
Backpage.com, which tried to mimic Craigslist Personals, was shut down due to its involvement in promoting prostitution and other illegal activities. Despite legal pressure, the site continued to operate until the U.S. government passed laws targeting websites enabling sex trafficking.
Bottom Line
With many alternatives available, Craigslist Personals may be gone, but it’s not forgotten. Sites like DoULike.com and OutPersonals.com provide similar experiences and features, ensuring that users can still find the connections they seek. Each platform has its strengths, so it’s important to choose one that fits your needs and preferences.
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4. What Opportunities Did Personals Ads Provide?
There’s no denying that Craigslist Personals created a space where many people, including the LGBTQ+ community, could find connections with others who shared similar interests. It wasn’t just about casual dating; it also helped users find a sense of community and belonging. Many people appreciated how the platform allowed them to connect freely, without judgment, and establish meaningful conversations.
For married men exploring their sexuality, Craigslist Personals offered a safe, anonymous environment where they could explore same-sex interactions without fear of exposure. It wasn’t just a hub for casual encounters but also an avenue to meet others for relationship-building or more serious connections. The combination of privacy and accessibility made Craigslist Personals a go-to for many. It truly offered a diverse range of opportunities for various needs, from casual encounters to long-term connections.
5. Why Snapchat Can’t Be A Replacement?
While Snapchat is a popular social media app, it was never designed for dating purposes. With a primary focus on photo and video sharing, its features lack the structure needed for a robust online dating platform. There is no discover tab or specific sections for casual encounters, and the app doesn’t allow for detailed personal information or searches based on specific preferences.
Snapchat’s interface is also not optimized for online dating, making it a poor substitute for Craigslist Personals. Dating sites like Craigslist Personals offer specific tools for matchmaking, privacy, and connecting with others, which Snapchat does not. Hence, while Snapchat may serve as a casual way to connect with people, it lacks the depth and tools necessary for online dating.
6. Why Backpage.com Shut Down Also?
Backpage.com, once a popular platform, became an alternative to Craigslist Personals before facing similar legal issues. The website offered similar features, including a “casual encounters” section, which eventually drew attention from law enforcement. As Backpage gained traction, some users began posting ads related to sex work, which led to scrutiny from the U.S. government.
Under pressure from law enforcement, the site continued operating but switched to accepting Bitcoin as a payment method. Eventually, its activities were deemed illegal under the “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act” (SESTA), which played a significant role in the site’s shutdown. The government aimed to curb online sex trafficking, and unfortunately, Backpage became a casualty of that initiative.
7. iBackpage.com: A Good Alternative
For those looking for a similar experience to Craigslist Personals, iBackpage.com is a worthy contender. While offering a free service, iBackpage also includes premium features for users seeking more visibility for their posts. With around 550,000 monthly visitors and more than 10,000 ads posted weekly, iBackpage has built a sizable user base.
The site uses geolocation to help users find nearby matches and casual encounters, making it a solid choice for local dating. Although the platform is geared primarily toward casual encounters, its active LGBT section and large user base make it a viable option for many different people. Premium plans, available for just $2 per post, offer even more exposure for those looking to get the most out of their experience.
8. Classifiedads.com: A Solid Alternative
ClassifiedAds.com is another noteworthy alternative. It’s one of the largest classified ad websites, with over 3 million unique monthly visitors. Their personals section mirrors Craigslist’s layout, with options for “casual dating,” “men seeking men,” “women seeking women,” and more.
Though ClassifiedAds is a smaller startup, it’s growing steadily and gaining attention for its vast array of ads and ease of use. The site’s format is quite similar to Craigslist Personals, which makes it a good alternative for those familiar with Craigslist’s approach. The site’s functionality and range of categories ensure that users can find what they’re looking for without hassle.
9. Hoobly.com: A Local Classified Ad Alternative
Hoobly.com is another local classified ad platform that can serve as an alternative to Craigslist. While its most popular category is pet advertisements, it also offers sections for buying and selling goods, real estate, and more. Although Hoobly doesn’t have a dedicated personals section, users can still post personal ads in various categories.
While it’s not a traditional dating platform, Hoobly is worth considering for those looking to meet new people in a more casual setting. It’s a great option for those who may not be seeking a full-fledged dating website but want to explore connections within the classified ad world.
10. Adultsearch: The Hookup Site Alternative
If you’re searching for a Craigslist Personals replacement that caters to adults looking for casual encounters, Adultsearch might be the right platform. The site offers various categories and has become a popular destination for people seeking fun, non-committal interactions.
Adultsearch caters to individuals of all genders and sexual orientations, providing a platform for open-minded people to connect. Whether you’re seeking a woman, man, or any other type of encounter, the site ensures privacy and discretion. It’s a great alternative for those who want to explore more adventurous dating options.
11. Seeking.com: The Sugar Daddy/Sugar Baby Alternative
Seeking.com, also known as SeekingArrangement, is another site to consider, particularly if you’re interested in sugar daddy or sugar baby arrangements. While not a direct replacement for Craigslist Personals, Seeking.com provides a platform where individuals seek specific, transactional relationships.
Users can set clear expectations and search for others based on mutual interests. The site’s focus on transparency and directness is ideal for those looking for specific arrangements. With a user base spanning 139 countries, Seeking.com offers a global network for those seeking a sugar daddy or sugar baby relationship.
Bottom Line: Which Alternative Is Best for You?
As we’ve seen, there are numerous alternatives to Craigslist Personals, each offering different features and experiences. Whether you’re looking for casual dating, a long-term relationship, or a specific type of encounter, there’s something for everyone.
While the shutdown of Craigslist Personals marked the end of an era, these alternatives have stepped in to fill the gap. Whether you choose a site like DoULike.com with its active user base or iBackpage.com with its geolocation features, it’s important to choose a platform that matches your needs.
By picking a trusted site with positive user reviews, you’ll be able to find the connections you seek while maintaining privacy and security. As the online dating world evolves, these platforms continue to thrive and evolve, giving users more options than ever before.
In conclusion, finding the right alternative to Craigslist Personals depends on what you’re looking for—be it casual encounters, serious relationships, or specific types of interactions. Explore your options and choose the one that best fits your needs!
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