Craigslist paved the way for casual encounters and virtual connections. The popular platform still functions today, letting users buy, sell and advertise. From house listings to local events, there is something for everyone to enjoy. However, a significant gap remains in the virtual connections section. If you’re feeling the void you may wonder, why did Craigslist get rid of Personals?
If that’s the question on your mind, you’ve come to the right place! In 2018, Craigslist pulled the rug from underneath many users. The question is, why did Craigslist remove Personals? In this blog, we’ll look into the closure of the Personals section. We’ll explore the reasons for this and the impact it has on the dating world. Let’s dive in!
What Was the Craigslist Personals Section?
Nowadays, online dating is more popular than ever. According to Forbes, almost 70% of people who met someone online said it led to an exclusive relationship. So you never know; there could be many people with great potential waiting for you! We must give credit where credit’s due and praise Craigslist for encouraging and propelling the world of online connections. After all, you never know what a casual encounter could lead to.
Before its removal, the Craigslist Personals section was the hot spot for online connections and casual encounters. Users from all over could post personal ads stating what they were looking for. From one-night stands to steamy dates and raunchy rendezvous, no request was too much.
Craig Newmark set up the site in 1995. Originally called “San Francisco Events,” it was for local acquaintances and friends to connect. From local events to house listings, it soon became a popular place for all kinds of classified ads. The Craigslist Personals section was an area of the site for casual dating encounters.
These online Personals connect all kinds of people. The site used categories to help people further narrow down their search.
The categories were:
- Strictly platonic
- Women seek women
- Women seeking men
- Men seeking women
- Men seeking men
- Misc romance
- Casual encounters
- Missed connections
- Rants and raves
When the Craigslist Personals removed section was in use, people explored their options. Users could navigate these sections, post personal ads about their dating preferences, and wait for responses. The space lets like-minded people interact and express their desires and preferences in an open-minded space. People of all sexual orientations, cultures, and wants can use the platform to their dating advantage. Sounds great, right?
Despite the success stories and exciting naughty tales, there was more than met the eye. In the following sections, we’ll look at the closure in more detail.
What Happened to Craigslist Personal Section?
Are you still wondering what happened to Craigslist Personal section? Time to find out. In 2018, Craigslist removed its online Personals section. The company decided to make a change due to Congress passing the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA). The Personals section fell victim to seediness and illegal actions, like sex workers and risky situations.
Why Did Craigslist Get Rid of Personals?
In order to keep victims of sex trafficking safe, Craigslist felt it was an appropriate step to remove Personals. Craigslist said, “to subject websites to criminal and civil liability when third parties (users) misuse online personals unlawfully. Any tool or service can be misused. We can’t take such risks without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking Craigslist personals offline. Hopefully, we can bring them back someday. To the millions of spouses, partners, and couples who met through Craigslist, we wish you every happiness!”
There you have it. Of course, Craigslist’s intentions were positive as an attempt to help sex trafficking victims. However, the wide range of people using the site felt disappointed by its closure. The Craigslist Personals section no longer exists, leaving people with an empty space for their dating life.
Craigslist Personals Shut Down: The Impact on the Craigslist Community
When the site removed the Craigslist casual encounter section in 2018, many people felt lost. Singles found themselves wondering, “Why did Craigslist get rid of the personals?” The once open-minded platform allowed space for people of all sexual orientations and preferences to explore. Without it, these people had to look elsewhere. The impact of the Craigslist Personals shut down was huge, creating a void in people’s dating lives.
Here are some ways the closure impacted the Craigslist community:
1. Decline in User Engagement
It’s no secret that the Personals section was the most popular and fun. Without it, user engagement declined, affecting the vibrancy and reputation of the site. While the other sections still exist, they are just not the same without the Personals section!
2. Loss of a Diverse Space
The great thing about Craigslist is that it has space for everyone to use. It was free of charge and had different categories; anyone could use it to explore. In particular, the LGBTQ+ community enjoyed the open-minded nature of the site. Plus, you could find anything on the site. From friendships to one-night stands, anyone could dive in.
3. Loss of Connections
Not to get all romantic on you, but the lack of Craigslist impacted the amount of connections. In fact, some users found long-term partners on the site. Pretty sweet, right? Without the platform, people couldn’t connect as much and had to look elsewhere for their connections.
4. Increased Use of Other Platforms
Craigslist singles are coming to the rescue, along with other platforms with similar features. These sites and dating apps are for people looking for a Craigslist vibe elsewhere. With enhanced safety features, profiles, and the use of personal ads, there are other platforms to rely on.
The impact on the Craigslist community was significant. Despite the clear requirement of increased safety measures, the removal left a void for some users.
Looking for an Alternative? Try DoubleList!
If you want to find a great alternative with similar features to Craigslist, try DoubleList! The open-minded nature of the site lets all kinds of users explore their desires. Whatever your preference, no request is too much for DoubleList. Plus, it’s active in 248 locations, so you’re bound to find someone nearby! Create your personal ad, browse the others, or respond to a flirty one that catches your eye!
Now that you know the answer to “Why did Craigslist get rid of Personals?” you can explore other options. Dive into the dating pool and sign up for DoubleList today!
