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Craigslist - New $5 fee for posting to skilled trade services

by Menachem Pritzker
43 replies
Craigslist (as of yesterday), started charging $5 per post in skilled trades.

Anyone know how to get around this? How are people handling this change?
#craigslist #fee #posting #services #skilled #trade
  • Profile picture of the author IGotMine
    How are people handling this change?
    I would guess by paying $5 or not posting.
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  • Profile picture of the author craigsposterpro
    There is no way around it. There will obviously be people who shift their ads to sections which are still free. However, you should realize that one of the primary reasons for ad flagging is posting in non-relevant sections. You cannot use gift or pre-paid credit cards to post with their payment gateway. The good news is now that all the spammy posts will be weeded out, each of your paid ads will get a lot longer shelf life on page 1 and be more prominent meaning they should attract a lot more leads. Also, readers on Craigslist will place a lot more trust on companies who post paid ads perceiving them as more legitimate.
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    • Profile picture of the author businesswarrior121
      Originally Posted by craigsposterpro View Post

      There is no way around it. There will obviously be people who shift their ads to sections which are still free. However, you should realize that one of the primary reasons for ad flagging is posting in non-relevant sections. You cannot use gift or pre-paid credit cards to post with their payment gateway. The good news is now that all the spammy posts will be weeded out, each of your paid ads will get a lot longer shelf life on page 1 and be more prominent meaning they should attract a lot more leads. Also, readers on Craigslist will place a lot more trust on companies who post paid ads perceiving them as more legitimate.
      Paid service can always be trusted. But how much expect from posting paid ads for a long time? Suppose one person need to post 20 ads per day. Then 20*5=100 Per day. 100*30=3000$ per month.

      Isn't it too much costly for small business? When you have very small business then you will always look forward have some free ads section always. Spamming is the most reason for Craiglist tfor taking this decision. But in the meantime it brought bad news for small business entrepreneur.
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      • Profile picture of the author craigsposterpro
        Originally Posted by businesswarrior121 View Post

        Paid service can always be trusted. But how much expect from posting paid ads for a long time? Suppose one person need to post 20 ads per day. Then 20*5=100 Per day. 100*30=3000$ per month.

        Isn't it too much costly for small business? When you have very small business then you will always look forward have some free ads section always. Spamming is the most reason for Craiglist for taking this decision. But in the meantime it brought bad news for small business entrepreneur.
        Actually, you wouldn't need to post 20 daily ads any more since the paid Services section has seen a 70 - 80% drop in overall daily section post volume. Our clients are seeing a definite increase in call/lead volume per ad now. So, in the end, you may end up getting a better return without the need to constantly spam the site.
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        • Profile picture of the author Thomas Barton
          The main issues is if you type in craigslist.com and type in graphic design in the search engine it will go to "For Sale" half the time. I feel like I'm being screwed over since other people post in spam areas but when I do mine get deletes quickly. As soon as I find a better solution I'm leaving craigslist for good. I've wasted to much money with craigslist.
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Originally Posted by Menachem Pritzker View Post

    Craigslist (as of yesterday), started charging $5 per post in skilled trades.

    Anyone know how to get around this? How are people handling this change?
    Do what any real business would do factor it into the cost of posting, whining about it does not take way the fact there is a $5 extra charge

    I am not surprised this did not happen years ago! marketers have been trying to game the service since it started

    Jason
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    • Profile picture of the author bxqzb
      Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

      Do what any real business would do factor it into the cost of posting, whining about it does not take way the fact there is a $5 extra charge

      I am not surprised this did not happen years ago! marketers have been trying to game the service since it started

      Jason
      Yeah, nobody should be surprised by this.

      For ages, cl has been one of the top destinations of people with shady intentions. Software was built, people earned a living offering services on cl, etc. That niche will eventually disappear completely, sorry.
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      • Profile picture of the author Menachem Pritzker
        I'm not whining, I'm looking for either strategies to workaround, or data on increased effectiveness now that 90% of the ads are gone.

        No shady intentions here, just trying to generate skilled trade leads for licensed contractors. CL has been a great source for that, trying to keep it going.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    marketers have been trying to game the service
    Some "marketers" try to game every service and system - and we don't help them do that here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Seems to me, if 90% of the 'ads' are gone - might that not increase the exposure/results of the ads that remain? Perhaps you could place fewer ads and get better results if much of the 'static' is gone.
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    • Profile picture of the author Menachem Pritzker
      Exactly. I'm excited by this opportunity. Looking for somebody who understands a little better what's going on. For example, are VPNs still needed for posting in multiple geos? Will there still be harsh flagging and ghosting of suspected multiple-area-posters?
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      • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
        Originally Posted by Menachem Pritzker View Post

        Exactly. I'm excited by this opportunity. Looking for somebody who understands a little better what's going on. For example, are VPNs still needed for posting in multiple geos? Will there still be harsh flagging and ghosting of suspected multiple-area-posters?
        I may have this wrong but why would you need a VPN ? or for that matter posting in Multiple GEOs? missing some thing here but that is gaming the system is it not ??
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        • Profile picture of the author IGotMine
          Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

          I may this wrong but why would you need a VPN ? or for that matter posting in Multiple GEOs? missing some thing here but that is gaming the system is it not ??
          It's simple. Some people have no concept of right and wrong, honesty, truth, etc. They literally don't understand.

          Things like rules, terms and conditions are just obstacles to be "worked around."

          If they can get away with it for a while, they figure it's okay.

          I think it's interesting that something that is claimed to be so important can't cover the $5 posting fee.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    I would happily pay $5 knowing that my competition dropped considerably overnight.
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    If you want me to go on arguing, you'll have to pay for another five minutes.

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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Originally Posted by Menachem Pritzker View Post

    Craigslist (as of yesterday), started charging $5 per post in skilled trades.

    Anyone know how to get around this? How are people handling this change?
    Pay the fee. Dont "get around" this.
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  • Profile picture of the author FreedomBlogger
    I just noticed that a few hours ago. I was like what the hell!

    I'm not sure what to say about this. I guess, kudos to Craiglist for making more money now!

    I don't know what would be a way around it. I don't think there is one!
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    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Originally Posted by FreedomBlogger View Post

      I just noticed that a few hours ago. I was like what the hell! I'm not sure what to say about this. I guess, kudos to Craiglist for making more money now!
      Glad to see Craigslist charging $5.00 It makes for a better site. To many posters there looking to phish for email address. Its been hard at times to find decent ads that are mixed into the garbage on C.L. Go to the General labor gigs and look at the offers to make money at home, asking if you have Hot Flashes and other junk ! Hope that is the next area they cracked down on.

      Play by C.L. rules and spend the money if you want to find legitimate skilled labor or find a business that needs your service in stead of violating the Terms of Service.
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      • Profile picture of the author dsimms
        Originally Posted by DWolfe View Post

        Glad to see Craigslist charging $5.00 It makes for a better site. To many posters there looking to phish for email address. Its been hard at times to find decent ads that are mixed into the garbage on C.L. Go to the General labor gigs and look at the offers to make money at home, asking if you have Hot Flashes and other junk ! Hope that is the next area they cracked down on.

        Play by C.L. rules and spend the money if you want to find legitimate skilled labor or find a business that needs your service in stead of violating the Terms of Service.
        I think CL should charge $5 for all commercial listings. People like the OP is just using CL to capture contractor leads that the business could get themselves.

        Even by charging a min fee, then CL will know immediately who is serious, as all the spammers will complain, cry, then try to find other sources of free leads they are making money on...

        and this is not about money for CL as they are already $100m+ company. This is about killing off the spammers that are just junking up CL or trying to get a free ride at someone else's expense.

        Want to stop mass spam? then charge the spammers.
        If you want to reduce hacking/fraud? then use a phone/pin verify system, which is also known as two-step authorization on every login.
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  • Profile picture of the author Terry Hatfield
    Definitely, a lot fewer people posting on Craigslist now.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnVianny
    if 5 usd is a problem for you LEAVE INTERNET MARKETING and GET A JOB. first.

    Secondly....why are you advertising in CL?

    Are you tryin to get leads at no cost and spam them to sell a 15 usd product?

    You have to be serious and go in serious places for advertising your business, if CL starts with 5 usd per ads, it could only be better for them and maybe will become a serious place to place our ads.
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  • Profile picture of the author raincoast
    I think they were trying to reduce posts where it was all about creating a link from Craigslist or generating leads to a site.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi Menacham,

    I'd just pay it since it is inexpensive.

    If you receive benefits from it see it as investing in your business. Cheap investment too.

    Abundant thing to do.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author Instructor
    Don't pay it! Keeping thinking of workarounds.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Either pay it or don't use cl would be the best answer imo.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO4hire
    I have no problem with the fee. I'm surprised it took them this long to charge people to post. Even if you charge a $1 per post, that is a LOT of money generated from each city.

    My question is this: If you pay the $5, can you post to any cities that you want? I operate a legitimate SEO business, and work with clients throughout the U.S. Has anyone tried posting to multiple cities?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamel Hassell
    There is a method you can use to post multiple ads in multiple cities plus get leads on auto pilot .
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  • Profile picture of the author Terry Hatfield
    Jamel,

    How do you do that?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Kim
    Hey guys so I know CL started charging $5 per ad in the service section as of recently. I'm interested in paying for the ads as I have been using CL for years for my business. My question is that I live in Thailand currently so am I able to post and pay for a service ad in Denver or Los Angeles even though my IP address is in Thailand? Or am I going to have to get one of my co workers to do it with an IP address in Denver or the respective city? I know CL was strict about this before the paid thing happened but I want to know that since we are paying now that I can post ads in different cities from a Thailand IP?

    Please let me know as I'd like to get my ads running again asap... Thank you!
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    • Profile picture of the author craigsposterpro
      Originally Posted by Jon Kim View Post

      Hey guys so I know CL started charging $5 per ad in the service section as of recently. I'm interested in paying for the ads as I have been using CL for years for my business. My question is that I live in Thailand currently so am I able to post and pay for a service ad in Denver or Los Angeles even though my IP address is in Thailand? Or am I going to have to get one of my co workers to do it with an IP address in Denver or the respective city? I know CL was strict about this before the paid thing happened but I want to know that since we are paying now that I can post ads in different cities from a Thailand IP?

      Please let me know as I'd like to get my ads running again asap... Thank you!
      You still absolutely need to use an IP address which matches the target city you are posting to. That aspect has not changed with the new paid ad transition.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jon Kim
        ok thank you!
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      • Profile picture of the author Jon Kim
        Also does the same flagging guidelines still apply? For example do I need to switch up my main body text and titles and pictures if I'm posting the same ad in different cities? Or since we are paying now can we use the same pictures in different ads etc? I've tried emailing CL about all this but they are of zero help and never answer my questions...
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        • Profile picture of the author craigsposterpro
          Originally Posted by Jon Kim View Post

          Also does the same flagging guidelines still apply? For example do I need to switch up my main body text and titles and pictures if I'm posting the same ad in different cities? Or since we are paying now can we use the same pictures in different ads etc? I've tried emailing CL about all this but they are of zero help and never answer my questions...
          Craigslist still has the same ad filters in place. However, it is much less likely that your ads can be flagged by competitors since CL staff will now review ads before that human flagging can take effect. It is still advisable for you to mix up your titles, text and images if you want to optimize your ads for different target keywords. Please also realize that there are credit card filters in their payment gateway whereby debit, pre-paid and gift card types are not accepted. Their billing department is reachable by phone and email if you have issues with regular type credit cards. If you want to get specific help, Craigslist does have a user forum with sections dedicated to Feedback, Flag Help and Help Desk here / https://forums.craigslist.org/

          Hope that helps
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  • Profile picture of the author ctrlaltdelete
    Oh, that's good. To be honest I tend to avoid Craiglist as a whole even if I'm the one doing the hiring. I just search in sites like Upwork and Onlinejobsph. But I'm glad that Craiglist is doing something to improve themselves.

    5 bucks a post'll help weed out the scammers from the genuine people there. Goodness knows that site is filled with shady folks.
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  • Profile picture of the author focusedlife
    Want the Craigslist $5 post workaround?

    Start posting on other platforms:

    LinkedIn Articles (has tons of SEO benefits), Facebook Posts, Tweets, Reddit, Youtube, etc.

    Craigslist isn't the only game in town.

    Expand your thinking.

    Adapt.

    Ask "where are my prospects hanging out at?"

    "How can I get in front of them?"

    Brainstorm ideas.

    Hope that helped.
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  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    That's a good thing IMO. It will weed out lots of the spam and other crap posts that people are always trying to sneak in there. They ought to charge $10.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Harrington
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Jeremy Harrington View Post

      Craigslist really shot itself in the foot with the new pricing structure.
      Right, eliminating losers that won't shell out 5 bucks for an ad is a broken business model. Too funny for words.

      would recommend checking out Troolr. They do not charge anything to post on their site.
      I want to waste my time posting a free ad on a site that no one has never heard of.

      Can you please give me directions to skid row?
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  • Profile picture of the author moneyg
    If cl is going to start charging it'd be only fair to lift the ip restriction IMO. Also, does anyone know if it's a one time cost for the ad? I'm wondering if one is able to repost the ad for free once paid.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by moneyg View Post

      I'm wondering if one is able to repost the ad for free once paid.
      Why not review their information? It's all there - not, here.

      Then, again - you could always invest $5 in an ad and see how it all works. No?
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  • Profile picture of the author boblev
    Complaining about craigslist policies will never matter to craig newmark, he takes great joy in chasing spammers off of his site.In fact at one point they seemed to be more concerned about spam than the creepy killers lurking around the personals section.

    The problem for marketers is that craig wants the platform to serve local communities and does NOT want to open it up to national advertising. And on craiglist, craig get's what craig wants....it's that simple!

    Personally, I left CL years ago because life is too short and I already have enough barriers and hoops to jump through, over, in and around or tunnel under....

    Bob
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Just play by the rules and build a solid SERVICE BRAND

    Build repeat customers by under promising and over delivering

    This is how I built my business

    I suspect the same strategy would work for you, OP
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  • Profile picture of the author cainbrian
    I remember I did a Craigslist traffic training back in 2013. When the Job section was the only paid section of the site for $25.

    I had always avoided paying it because I would post in Small Business & the gig section. But I put a tracking pixel on the ad itself (don't think we can do that anymore)... I went from 13 clicks onto my ad to 1,300 clicks onto my CL ad page.

    I'd doubt it gets that same type of traffic anymore, but I'm sure the paid ads will weed out the tire-kickers and make it easier for you to get a response over other people who now refuse to market because they can't afford $5 (which is a good thing, for you)
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  • Profile picture of the author craigslistlivead
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by craigslistlivead View Post

      Craigslist
      Reported as SPAM!
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    • Profile picture of the author toydistrict
      Originally Posted by craigslistlivead View Post

      Keyword stuffing on WF lol
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