Risks with Craigslist?

These are my rules.

3 ads from 1 account, I never do more.
If I want more ads, I use more accounts (I don't think CL even allows you to post more than 3, although I've never tried tbo).

I also never post a bunch of the same ads, in the same exact section at the same time. I can copy & paste ads fine w/out getting ghosted, but every time I paste it I make sure its in a seperate account.

I have copied and pasted ads in the same account before, but then I'll change the headline or drop a quote in one of the ads. So there's at least one sentence that is different. Again, I've never been ghosted in my life.

I've been flagged twice but only for posting the same ad over and over in the same section. So I don't do that, and I think its bad marketing too. You're just pissing people off, customers don't like it, businesses don't like it, you're ads will get flagged, so its a waste of time.

I usually post about 18 ads a day, and never have issues.

I'm assuming the people ghetting ghosted are the guys posting 45-80 ads a day, they post the same ads over and over from the same accounts, they don't spread out their timing, they probably use spammy headlines too. I also see lots of guys using automation software and complaining about ghosting. So instincts tell me CL is not stupid and can tell when you're using software. Maybe I'm wrong, but I never used software.

Eventually I'll be doubling the amount of accounts I have, so it'll be interesting to see if I get ghosted. If I do, I'll be sure to post about it. But for some reason I don't see it happening.

-Red

Craigslist can be tricky. I've been ghosted before, it was years ago so I don't remember all the details but I think it was because I was posting the same or similar ads in different places. I think redshifted did a good summary though..... Just make sure that your entire business or plan does not rely on craigslist or google or sites like that because they can change their rules at any time and all your hard work can go down the drain at any time if so.... so spread your marketing efforts out :-) good luck!

Ghosting is not much of an issue as it was about a year ago and before. I only see ghosting if you use the exact same titles or to much repetition in title symbols.

Craigslist is very simple. You need to play around on it and you will catch on real fast. No need to have anyone else post for you unless you are planning on covering multiple cities and have over 10 ads a day going out.

The best way to get around any ghosting is to always make a graphic jpeg of your listing and keep using an image host to put your post in html. Every post you do you can reupload your image on an image host and have a different source code. This way you can post the same ad all day long. The only problem is if craigslist trolls catch on to you they will try everything to keep flagging your ads. Just keep reposting.

Good luck.

I just recently searched the forums regarding this. Here is what I found:
1. Never post the same titles, alter it a little with symbols or whatever
2. 3 posts per day per account spaced out.
3. Use keyword banks at the bottom to differentiate your posts when you post image ads
4. Craigslist doesn't accept VOIP numbers anymore, and even some prepaid numbers like Sprint.
5. Some cities are hotter than others for unknown reasons.
6. Consistent posting will get you results.
7. Low-ballers will call you, weed them out early.
8. Numbers originating outside the united states are not valid for account creating purposes
These points are from what I read, I have no experience in it, so might wanna take it with a grain of salt.