Xin Ou
Research expert covering Greater China
craigslist - statistics & facts
Craigslist was founded in 1995 by Craig Newmark in San Francisco, California, and started out as an email distribution list for local events. Over time, Craig Newmark’s list transformed from an event listing host to an online classifieds platform, craigslist.org, offering both free and low-cost listings for a variety of things like goods and services, jobs and housing, and community events. A globally recognized website, Craigslist operates in over 700 cities across 70 countries. In spite of this reach, the platform remains privately held and operated by a small team from its one headquarters in San Francisco.
The website has been referenced in pop culture vehicles like movies, songs, and internet posts that further highlight its reputation. In 2024, craigslist.org was accessed by millions of monthly visitors, and in 2023, the company recorded a revenue of 694 million U.S. dollars. Craigslist’s success stems from its affordability - free listings for everything except jobs – and a localized approach that allows for users to connect through listings within their communities.
Aside from competition, Craigslist has also dealt with issues such as crime, spam, and fraudulent listings that undermine user trust and prevent user acquisition. To combat such challenges, the platform has since included phone verification and flagging systems on the site. However, despite these minimal updates to establish safer standards for users, Craigslist has historically resisted major changes. The Craigslist app only released in 2019, decades after the platform was initially founded.
Craigslist’s simplistic business model has served as both an attraction and barrier for users, but as it functions within an ever-evolving digital landscape, only the test of time will reveal whether the company’s reluctance to innovate will remain lucrative.
Dominating the online classifieds market
Despite making no changes to update the website layout for over 25 years, Craigslist has held its prominence among online classifieds – advertisements for goods and services available for purchasing online – for decades and remains a dominant force particularly in the United States, its most popular market.The website has been referenced in pop culture vehicles like movies, songs, and internet posts that further highlight its reputation. In 2024, craigslist.org was accessed by millions of monthly visitors, and in 2023, the company recorded a revenue of 694 million U.S. dollars. Craigslist’s success stems from its affordability - free listings for everything except jobs – and a localized approach that allows for users to connect through listings within their communities.
Competition and caveats
In recent years, Craigslist has faced growing competition from specialized platforms including but not limited to: Offerup and Facebook Marketplace for transactions, Zillow for property listings, and LinkedIn for career networking. With these platforms offering more modern interfaces as well as specific, targeted services, they are more likely to appeal to consumers looking for a streamlined online experience.Aside from competition, Craigslist has also dealt with issues such as crime, spam, and fraudulent listings that undermine user trust and prevent user acquisition. To combat such challenges, the platform has since included phone verification and flagging systems on the site. However, despite these minimal updates to establish safer standards for users, Craigslist has historically resisted major changes. The Craigslist app only released in 2019, decades after the platform was initially founded.
Craigslist’s simplistic business model has served as both an attraction and barrier for users, but as it functions within an ever-evolving digital landscape, only the test of time will reveal whether the company’s reluctance to innovate will remain lucrative.
