Craigslist Change causes Mass Hysteria. Internet Marketers Must Adapt

In my market, most serious Buyers are working with an agent, not looking on Craigslist, so there is less of a need for it.  Additionally, we tend to have more problems with scammers stealing listing info, so agents tend to shy away from it.

H Lori...I saw this unfolding a couple of weeks ago...as you suggest it didn't happen all at once...existing ad's with links and embedded photos were fine, they stopped the new stuff first. Now as you say, we need to be creative about making the phone ring!

Congratulations on your feature.

I am not a big fan of even using Craig's List and understand why the links are going away.  I know when I was looking for a job, about half of the ads contained links that were viruses or scams.  Then when I starting using Craig's List for real estate, I got 3-5 scam, spam or viruses in my e-mail.  I think Craig's List had their backs against the wall and had to do something.  I can understand not allowing links, but not photos.

Every website wants to be the next Google Facebook or Twitter.  They need to generate money! I don't know why they don't post paid ads on the side. 

I will stay with the FREE posting only. Just like Netflix, when they decided to double their price for the same service, I will go to another source.  

This is capitalism at it's finest!

But I do appreciate the info you gave us!  I was wondering what was going on...

Great info Lori!  I have yet to tap into craigslist marketing and, in a way, I guess it's a blessing.  Now, when I do get around to it, the current format will be the only thing I know.  Best of luck to everyone forced to adapt.

Good Morning:  This is a great post!! keep the Info coming and keep up the great work and good luck with your business,  E

Another thing that I noticed today is that Craigslist no longer allows shortened links from Bitly.com, Goo.gl, or shorturl.com.

Wow, good to know! Interesting changes!

Grand tips. I had never used it so it's easier for me - no changes, just a lot of learning and I appreciated this article. 

I really don't like using Craigslist.  I've had too many rental listings scraped and have reported them but Craigslist just does absolutely nothing about it.  An arrest was made in my town last week, finally! 

great article.......I just started using Craigslist because everyone at my office stopped.  Your correct most people won't adapt.  Thanks for the post!

I agree with Chris about ads being scraped and reposted.  It was a good tool while it lasted,  but onto the next thing. 

Glad I selected this post to read. Good points. Thanks for the detailed explanation. 

I've heard a lot of people say they would stop using it too - good, more for me!  I get most of my great customers from craigslist, especially investors, so I'll keep rolling with it until the wheels fall off!  I get just as many good customers from it now as before the changes, just not as many useless clicks.  Adjust, adjust, as in life.

Hi Lori,

Thanks for all this information about changes on craigslist.

I love CL, for all sorts of things !

I would suggest that if you are listing to list each place separately and not just "to see all the homes...."  That will irritate people that are looking for a certain town.  I know it irks me to no end seeing a list of towns at the end of a listing.

I recently started using Craigslist as one of my marketing tools.  Since doing so I have captured 2 buyer leads to my website. What I am mostly getting are spam emails asking me if I want a job. Any pointers on how to avoid these spammers?