Have you ever wondered, ‘What is Backpage?’ It was among the most prominent advertising websites, founded in 2004 by Village Voice Media. Like Craigslist, it was a one-stop shop for numerous products and services.
You could browse through tons of ads ranging from automotive to job posts, casual encounters, adult topics and business ads.
However, the website was closed down in 2018 due to security reasons. Craigslist had also shut down its operations. Thus, it left many dating enthusiasts hopeless of finding love.
Worry not, for we have got your back! Read more to explore some of the most popular alternatives to Backpage and uncover why it wasn’t a safe platform.
What Is Backpage: Why Was Backpage Shut Down?
After the Craigslist personals section was closed, Backpage emerged as a leading hub for people looking for casual hookups.
However, it turns out that Backpage was a secret source for sex trafficking ads on the internet. Reports indicated that Backpage posted up to 1 million prostitution ads every day. The site generated revenue by advertising prostitution online. Many sex workers and mediators used it as their primary medium to sell sex online.
Carl Ferrer, the CEO of Backpage, was charged with money laundering and promoting prostitution. The Federal law enforcement agencies seized their website data, leading to the Backpage shutdown.
What Is the New Backpage: 12 Top Alternatives Reviewed
Are you looking to spice up your social life? Whether you’re looking for casual encounters or a loyal partner, look no further!
With the website down, it has left many wondering, “What is the new Backpage?” Don’t worry. We have compiled a list of the top 11 alternative websites to quench your thirst for those wild adventures! Without any further ado, let’s get started!
What Is Backpage? Discover a Similar Service With Seeking
Do you crave luxury dating? If so, Seeking.com is your go-to platform. Having a presence in approximately 130 countries and 40 million active users, Seeking.com is a well-known dating site.
Unlike most dating platforms, Seeking exudes a sense of exclusivity. It only allows the most prosperous gentlemen to be on board to discover the thousands of beauties. Considering the member quality and success rate, it’s a much better alternative to Backpage.
Another standout feature is its top-notch security. The admin team constantly monitors dating profiles, making it an anti-scammer platform.
Seeking.com was created way back in 2006, which not only adds credibility but also bolsters brand loyalty.
What Is Backpage? Adult Friend Finder Alternative
Adult Friend Finder (AFF) could potentially redefine “What is Backpage” with its numerous premium features. Amassing over 2 million users daily, AFF is a top choice for people looking to spice up their dating lives.
Be it gay, pansexual, bisexual, straight, kinky, or not. It openly welcomes all members abroad. Whether you’re looking for thrilling threesomes, hookups, or serious dates, you can do it all!
Some of its ‘hot’ features include chat rooms, live cams, and erotic stories. Oh, and wanting to leave a good impression? Send a “virtual gift” to your favorite member.
What sets AFF apart from other dating apps is its advanced search algorithm. It allows you to apply handy filters, such as distance, age, body type and race.
Ashley Madison – A Modern Twist to What Is Backpage
With its signature motto: “Life is short, Have an affair,” Ashley Madison clarifies its bold purpose. This site works best for individuals in the mood for casual encounters but in a discreet fashion.
They bill payments anonymously. The app displays your bill payments as “online services,” so discretion is guaranteed. What’s more? You can customize your app’s appearance to look like a regular-looking app.
Furthermore, you get to take control of everything! Its unique in-built feature lets you hide your photos and share them with only those you choose. Moreover, its special feature, “Traveling Man,” lets you connect to people from the area you’ll be visiting in advance.
Reddit – A 100% Free Alternative to What Is Backpage?
You might’ve heard of Reddit. If not, we will spill the beans for you: It’s among the most well-known social networks. People post everything here. Be it memes, discussion forms, short news pieces and “subreddits.”
Reddit has a well-established user base. It garners around 430 million active users monthly. Thanks to the subreddit “Reddit Personals R4R,” finding a casual hookup is now way easier. Better yet, there are no geographical restrictions: it’s accessible to everyone worldwide.
However, it differs from Backpage in one aspect. You have to be above 18 to access the app. Secondly, ensure you include the keyword “NSFW” if you post anything sexually-intensive. Otherwise, your account might be permanently banned.
What Is Backpage? Sizzle Your Love Life With Senior Sizzle
Are you in your sunset years and looking to find the love of your life? Senior Sizzle has got your back! It helps older men and women easily find their dream partners.
Right off the bat, you will be amazed by its user interface. It’s nothing like Backpage. You’ll forget about ‘What is Backpage?’ with its advanced features, which include top-notch security & privacy.
Senior Sizzle values its users’ convenience. It’s available both as an app on your smartphone or desktop. This ensures that you can find your potential partner on the internet from virtually anywhere!
Although it’s free to use on a desktop, the mobile app requires you to subscribe to its premium package. It’s worth upgrading once you realize that it comes with some useful features, all at an affordable price.
What Is Backpage: Ignite Your Social Life With Tinder
Who hasn’t heard of Tinder yet? It doesn’t need any introduction. It has been here for around more than a decade now. Hence, it’s no surprise that it has cemented a solid user base.
Dating is pretty simple on Tinder, thanks to its swiping algorithm. After signing up, you will see people’s profiles with pictures and some introductory text. If you’re interested, you have to swipe right and voila! You’re in the game!
However, think wisely when you swipe because you get a limited number of them. If you want to get the most out of Tinder, subscribe to their gold membership. You will get access to unlimited swipes and more fun features that will surely make you forget ‘What is Backpage?’
What Is Backpage? Explore Sea of Opportunities With POF
POF is an abbreviation for Plenty of Fish. You can video call people you’re interested in and set up a virtual date.
You can access POF via desktop, or an app, which means you can connect with people from anywhere globally. The video chat feature adds a layer of security by ensuring you meet a legit person and not some scammer.
Don’t fret about being single or getting dumped because there are ‘plenty of fish in the sea.’
What is Backpage? Discover a World of Fetishes With FetLife
FetLife is another excellent alternative that caters to your unique desires. The site hosts a wide array of fetishes and kinks.
If your dating preferences seek the road less traveled, this enigmatic platform is your top choice. It promises to connect you with fellow lovers who crave a touch of spice in their romantic endeavors.
FetLife has over a million registered users. Oh, and don’t worry about scams. Nearly all of the members on board are legit. Of course, there are always chances of occasional trolls, but they fade into insignificance considering the thrilling encounters that await.
H3: What Is Backpage? Locanto Answers With Localized Connections
Want your ad board? Locanto Personals, without a doubt, is your go-to platform. It’s not just an app oriented for browsing through dating ads. It’s a platform for all kinds of ads. However, our focus for today will be specifically on dating.
You can access tons of enticing profiles with just one click of the Locanto Personals section. Locanto comes loaded with some handy filters. These filters include Long Term Relationships / Dating to match your unique needs.
Want to spice it up? We recommend you try the Casual Encounters filter. You will immediately enter a world of various kinks where you can specify sexual preferences. There’s no limit to age and sexual orientation. You get to choose what you find captivating!
Out Personals: Taking Classified Ads to the Next Level
Out Personals unveils a captivating platform where connections spark through classified ads. It seamlessly bridges the gap between individuals craving meaningful encounters.
For those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, this exceptional haven serves as a convenient platform for them. It provides a virtual oasis where like-minded souls can effortlessly converge in search of companionship.
Emphasizing specifically casual gay dating, Out Personals redefines what is Backpage. It presents an immersive “online magazine” experience meticulously curated by both OP writers and passionate members. The magazine has tons of ads and articles that help you find a match faster than ever!
Oodle: A Simple Approach to Online Dating
Oodle prioritizes simplicity, and it’s similar to Reddit Personals.
When you check out someone’s profile, all you see is a photo, a name, age, and ad description. That’s it. It’s that simple!
Creating a post and responding to someone else’s is also easy. Plus, the app has valuable filters that help you land a casual encounter immediately!
Backpage Shutdown: DoubleList Is Here To Save the Day!
The Backpage shutdown ended the ventures of online dating enthusiasts to find their dream partner. However, there’s one website that will never fail to amaze you: DoubleList. We saved the best for the last. It’s an ideal platform to fill the void left by Backpage.
Through DoubleList’s easy-to-use and user-friendly platform, finding your sexual partner is now way easier!
With over 3 million active users, you can explore tons of dating profiles. You can even create an ad for yourself and wait for your dream partner.
Moreover, DoubleList has an integrated comment and like section, much like the other social media platforms. You can like and comment to express your desires.
We have a super easy registration process. If you want to dive right in, you can quickly sign up using an anonymous account.
The free account is a great starting point for browsing, enticing profiles, and sending messages. However, you can only text a limited number of times per day.
You can unlock additional features by subscribing to our package for as low as $10. The paid version gives you access to a larger number of posts and messages daily. This is ideal if you’re trying to interact with several people on the site. Your chances of finding your dream sexual partner increase significantly without limits.
The site requires phone verification for every new member and is exclusively open to those in Canada, Australia, the UK, or the USA.
What sets DoubleList apart is its cutting-edge anti-spam technology. This means that the website protects you from scammers and fake profiles.
Hopefully our post on ‘What is Backpage?’ has given you some insight into what happened to the site. There are plenty of great alternatives that we’ve listed for you above. DoubleList provides users with a safe space to interact with others online and in real life.
What are you waiting for? Join DoubleList today!
