Is Craigslist Down? Losing Connection While Seeking One

Doublelist Team

June 14, 2024 7 minutes read
Connect with straight, gay, bi and curious!

Are you having issues accessing Craigslist? We all know how frustrating it is when we’re happily scrolling and rudely interrupted! Maybe the whole site has crashed. Maybe it’s running slowly. Or, perhaps you can’t find the section you were looking for! You might wonder if it’s just you who has all the problems. Or is the site actually glitching in front of your eyes?

Are you wondering, “Is Craigslist down?” There are actually several reasons why you might be having trouble with Craigslist. Are you ready to explore some other options? If yes, keep reading!

What To Say To Get Laid: The Art of Flirtatious Conversation

What Is Craigslist?

Craigslist was once the place to be if locals wanted to connect or if you were looking for local events and even jobs in an area. Craig Newmark set up this site in 1995 for San Francisco Bay. 

The community messages on the site were just a great way to keep people in touch, so the site began to grow and ended up in most of the major cities in the US. People loved how quick and easy it was to contact others in their area! 

The Craigslist Personals section became popular quickly, too. People just loved this new open space for finding casual encounters. Plus, it was super easy to get yourself a date. All you had to do was post a personal ad and specify what you were looking for. Someone would then see it, type a response and before you knew it, you’d be on a date. It really was as simple as that. 

Most single people liked the open-minded and no-nonsense approach of the Personals section. They could choose their category to specify what they were looking for and go from there. No request was too much, so it really was an ideal spot to explore. 

DoubleList graphic of two people exchanging romantic messages.

What Happened To Craigslist?

But what happened to Craigslist? Why did Craigslist get rid of Personals? Have I missed my chance forever? We hate to break it to you, but the Craigslist Personals days are over. In 2018, there were concerns surrounding the section’s safety, so Craigslist shut it down completely. Congress passed the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. NPR discussed it, stating that it was for the safety of any children at risk. 

As the best possible way to keep everyone safe, Craigslist felt that closing the section was the safest option. For many singles and casual encounter-lovers of the world, this was pretty disappointing. Of course, safety is vital, but it certainly left a void in the dating community. 

Technical Issues: Is Craigslist Down?

Currently, Craigslist is not down, but everything is working as it should. Are you trying to access Craigslist but having issues getting connected? According to Down Detector, Craigslist isn’t currently down or experiencing any issues. This site does a server check, so it’ll say if the site is ever down or having problems. 

Another online platform, called Is It Down Right Now?, shows real-time updates about the website’s response time. The website looks at the server status to see how well the site is actually running. As it currently stands, Craigslist isn’t down, and the current server time is working as it should. This is good news! 

But is there anything else going on with the site?

DoubleList animated graphic of a man and a woman having a conversation over coffee.

Craigslist Problems: Potential Reasons Why It’s Not Working

If you’re trying to access Craigslist and you’re having trouble, there are some reasons why you might be experiencing some Craigslist problems, such as the ones we have listed below.

1. Technical Issues 

Is your service provider down? You might be having some issues with your own connection, so try turning your Wi-Fi off and on again. 

2. Scheduled Maintenance

There’s a chance that the Craigslist team is working away and performing maintenance on the site. To do this, they might need to take the site offline and fix any issues or features on it. 

3. User Overload

Depending on the time of day you decide to access Craigslist, there might be an overload of users. This can really slow the server’s response time, making the site lag and take a while to list. 

Is Craigslist Not Working?

Is Craigslist not working, or is it the long-lost Personals section that you’re trying to access? The bad news is that the section is gone, and there’s no bringing it back. So, the site might, in fact, be working just fine. But, if you’re trying to find the Personals on the site and can’t, it’s because it no longer exists. Heartbreaking, we know! 

The good news is that plenty of sites have emerged and come to the rescue. There are other platforms that you can rely on to get your dating fix. These sites all operate in a pretty similar way to Craigslist and use personal ads. Plus, they equally have an open-minded approach to dating. So whether you want a one-night stand or a romantic date, no request is off-limits! 

DoubleList graphic of diverse people socializing and sharing love in a busy cafe to symbolize dating on DoubleList.

Craigslist Alternatives

If you are looking for similar websites to the Craiglist Personals, we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of great alternatives to Graigslist you can try. Check out our list below.

1. DoubleList 

DoubleList is an excellent Craigslist alternative for anyone feeling the void of the Personals section. The site works in the same way; it’s all about personal ads! You can either post your own or browse the others and find one that catches your eye. 

The site is active in 248 locations, too, so choose your category and get searching for a local hookup. There are plenty of like-minded singles seeking the same dating desires as you! 

2. Adult Friend Finder 

If you’re looking for a similar place to get your casual hookup or dating fix, AFF is a great shout! This site is pretty sex-oriented, so like Craigslist, it’s great for casual encounters! We don’t doubt that you’ll enjoy your time on this platform, even just to get you in the mood. AFF creates an open-minded space for everyone to dive into their sexual fantasies and preferences. 

3. Ashley Madison 

If you’re looking for more of a discreet hookup, Ashley Madison is another good Craigslist alternative. The site is primarily for married people who want to have an affair. So, you don’t have to worry about judgment here! You can enjoy the perks of the discreet features and really go after what you want! 

4. Locanto 

Locanto operates in a really similar way to Craigslist, as it has pretty much the same sections and categories to choose from. Plus, you can also take a look at any local jobs going in your area! The site is all about personal ads, too, so get your writing skills ready. You can create a compelling personal ad to state exactly what you’re looking for with a fellow single. 

There you have it! Some of the best Craigslist alternatives for you to try. These sites aim more toward people seeking casual connections. But, like Craigslit, don’t rule anything out! 

Looking for a Craigslist Alternative? Try DoubleList 

Forget worrying and searching, “Is Craigslist down?” on Google. Just try DoubleList instead! This site is super open-minded and very similar to Craigslist. Just create a great personal ad and state specifically what you’re seeking. Or, search and browse the others to see if anything catches your eye. 
Looking for a casual encounter with a local single? Sign up to DoubleList today and find what you’re looking for!

Unlock your wildest fantasies and connect with locals today!

Connect with straight, gay, bi and curious!