What is Craigslist personals?
This formed part of the Craigslist website back in the day. Craig Newmark, the founder, designed it in such a way that people would place their own personal ads and messages that advertised their need to connect with other people of like minds.
This website was mostly used in the ’90s and most singles were able to find companions as a result of replies on their ads. This was before online dating was stigmatized and its use decreased.
The personals were quite popular and people would find dates and facilitate sexual encounters freely and easily. However, the site was extremely popular with gay people, who were otherwise unable to find love any other way.
In 2005, Craigslist personals was actually considered as the main dating site for gays, and in the San Francisco area, it was the most famous dating site.
This new development caused the health department in San Francisco to become worried about the health of their citizens, and they ordered the site to include information on diseases and STDs.
Craigslist then created a link to forums that acted as a way of informing the public how they could protect themselves.
Adult services controversy
However, every after the addition of the forums on STDs and other communicable diseases, there was plenty of misuse of the website, and many claimed that it promoted negative influences in society.
There was a great outcry from the stakeholders who projected that the site was immoral.
This prompted the issuance of the 2002 disclaimer as to the users that used the services on the site.
In 2009, Craigslist was therefore forced to close down its “erotic services,” portion of the site due to pressure and they replaced it with an adult’s services option.
The decision was as a result of all the allegations lodged against it that they promoted prostitution. Due to the complaints and criticisms, the attorney General decided that they should close down, and they had no choice but to do so.
Why it was shut down
A bill called “The flight of online sex trafficking act (FOSTA) was passed by congress, and this forced craigslist to adhere to pressure and cease the use of their personals sections.
The company was careful not to take any risks, as this would lead to their close down, and would jeopardize the other services offered on the website.
The law simply held them culpable and any form of sex trafficking or prostitution would adversely affect them.
In order to avoid this from happening, the smart move was to shut down the personals section.
The removal of this section, however, attracted plenty of condemnation from the users that were familiar with the site and saw it as a positive means to meet life partners and build lasting relationships.
Best Replacements and alternatives to the Craigslist Personals
When this popular personals website exited the industry, a huge vacuum was created and many users were desperate for an alternative to fill in the void they felt. Luckily for them, a couple of websites came up to meet their needs, but the online community required something similar to craigslist personals.
As a result, here are some of the best alternatives that were created to fill the void;
Doublelist.com
This came up in the year 2018. Currently, there have been more than 550,000 recorded searches and millions of people visit the site each month.
Members can access the personal ads listed on the site and gain access to the thousands of singles looking for love. You also get the chance to view all other members on the site.
It is relatively new and therefore has great opportunities for its users compared to other sites that have been around for much longer.
Placing an-add is also very easy, and you can filter your needs so you can meet people who have the same interests as you do.
When signing up, however, you will be required to go through a thorough process of verification in order to comply with the FOSTA-SESTA new rules that caused Craigslist personals to be closed down.
This law requires that you verify your email address and your telephone numbers before accessing the information on the website.
The site is security-focused and they are very conscious of fake profiles, and if you get caught posting fake things, they will ban you immediately.
Here are some categories offered on the site;
- Couples to him.
- Women looking for other women.
- Women looking for guys.
- Guys who are looking for other guys.
- Couples looking for women.
- Couples looking for other couples
- Gays looking for straight people.
Tinder
This is an extremely popular website and the perfect replacement for craigslist personals. It is a mobile app and works with your location. The users use swiping technology to choose their potential partners.
In fact, swiping was invented by Tinder.
On the app, you can like a match, connect with them and start chatting.
The information displayed is however minimal, and you shall only get to see the photo of the person you are connecting with and a very small bio about them.
Happn
This app is purely location-based. It will allow you to like and dislike other members, based on your own preferences. It also gives you the opportunity to chat with people you like, once you both like each other.
Grindr app
This is the perfect representation of LGBTQ dating in modern-day. It has been evolving with time and has become the go-to dating app for gays and lesbians.
It has many new and innovative features that you can enjoy, and they help you make impactful and meaningful connections with people who are similar to you.
OkCupid
This app is extremely famous, quite old and one of the best online. It was created in the year 2004, and since then, it has amassed a huge following, with millions of users. Mostly, it is usually abbreviated as OKC.
OKC supports a variety of communication modes, and you can either use their instant messaging, their emails or even chat options. The use of this site is absolutely free, which means that you do not need to pay anything to become a member and chat with other users.
It has received various upgrades over the years, and currently, it looks more like tinder, since you get to swipe left and right for people you like or dislike.
Its ability to include all genders and all types of people makes it the most popular online dating app.
Hinge App
This app is designed for people who are serious about dating, and would once and for all like to get off the dating apps. It is the final step to dating.
Zoosk.com
This site can be accessed in over 20 different languages, which means that it can cater to more than 80 countries around the world. It was started in 2007 and has grown to have more than 27 million users.
It is an IOS and Android-powered app, but you can also use it on your desktop.
Most people who want to find friends and dates can access the many options available to make their dreams come true.
CoffeeMeetsBagel app
CoffeeMeetsBagel is the dream child of a couple of sisters who launched it in the year 2012. It has quickly become very popular and one of the best dating apps on the internet.
Their unique feature is that it is quite different from other sites, and this is because, the creators took time to research all other dating apps, and came up with an idea that was so different, and one that would ensure that all of your needs are met.
One of the things you shall notice with CMB is that they limit the number of profiles you can see and interact with per day. This helps you not get too mixed up, as to who you shall choose, and who you will communicate with.
In addition, they give you a special ice-breaker option when searching. You can identify potential matches by viewing their Facebook accounts.
They do not allow you to search the profiles of other users, and therefore your privacy is very well protected.
The only problem is that you shall feel limited by the number of connections you can make, which means that you only get to go on a handful of dates.
Meetme app
This allows people to get in touch with others who are located near them. It uses their geographical locations for matching.
You can use the app to set up a date to hang out or connect with people who are going out like you.
When you register on the site, you must use your Facebook account, to authenticate that you are real, and then you can log in directly using the app.
The advantage of this dating app is that it is absolutely free, and users who want to play free games, they are able to do so.
The games are very popular on this site.
Badoo.com
This is a 2006 website that has a dating function. It is available in more than 40 languages, and this makes it highly regarded worldwide.
It is available on both Android and IOS, and the app is very easy to use.
It has a premium service that will enable you to access a variety of features on the website.
What you will love most about it is the spam filtration feature that ensures spam is limited.
Bumble App
This is also a location-based app that enables people with similar interests to connect.
You can match heterosexuals as well as gays to each other.
However, females on this app make the first move and send messages to their matches. If you are a man and you like a woman on the app, you cannot text them unless they text you first, which can be a limitation when no one texts you.
The advantage is that there is security and privacy. You shall also not end up overwhelmed with connection requests from men.
Almost everyone visits the Reddit app. In fact, it is so popular, that it is the fourth most viewed website on the internet. The first one of course if Google, the second is YouTube and the third is Facebook.
Reddit doesn’t have any restrictions.
There, you shall find many people looking for people who are like them, for casual hookups or even long term relationships.
There is a bar on the side that gives you all the features on the site, and all you need to do is simply search for what you want.
Mods on the site are banned immediately, and if you post anything inappropriate, you shall be banned as well.
Kijiji
This is quite similar to Craigslist, but it is a Canadian based website. If you are in Canada, this is your best option. You can find pretty much everything on the site, such as graphic designers, plumbers, etc. You can also post ads on the site.
If you are looking for friends or someone to talk to, the Kijiji community section has got you covered.
You will, however, need to select the community you are in on the website and look at all the categories such as friends and connections and even lost relationships. Choose the one you want.
Remember to read the fine print for rules and regulations of using the site.
Ashley Madison
Speaking of online adult service, let's face the truth – the majority of “prospective customers” are males. Of course, there are females who are also looking for passionate life on the internet, the number is far less than the other sex.
So the question for males here is where to find real women who have the same daring mind? Well, the answer is quite simple. You only need to sign in a reliable platform that everyone goes to.
Do you know that Ashley Madison boasts more than 60 million members across the world? Anyone, men or women, trans or bi, gay or lesb, wherever you are, is basically guaranteed to find what they want in such an enormous pool of members.
For girls, good news for you. You have privilege at Ashley Madison. Your potential dates should send over their photos first for your assessment. When you are ready to go, just pick your favorite.
However, it’s not that bad for men. Because anyone wants to initiate a conversation should pay “credits” first, a unique operation mode you are unlikely to see on rival platforms of Ashley Madison.
Conclusion
Looking for love has never been so easy. If however you had been used to the Craigslist Personals, then I have given you a good list of some of the best alternatives to the website that you can still use to find love or someone to speak with.
Remember to follow the guidelines and rules of online dating which includes ensuring that you meet the person in a public place, do not give out your personal information such as your bank account details and NEVER ever send anyone money that you meet online until you know each other well.
Be extra careful as there are many cons out there who are out to frustrate your efforts, but there are many people who met online, so, it is worth a try.
