Who uses Craigslist?  Craigslist Rules.

The group of friends Newmark originally included on his list has grown to include over 3 billion worldwide. To break it down, more than 10 million people use Craigslist per month, while 6 million post classifieds, and another 4 million post comments in the various user forums available on the site. The site appeals to individuals and businesses alike by bringing people with common agendas together in an open forum.

Intended to be non-commercial, and propitious in the sense that it's relatively spam and banner free, users are allowed the freedom to share information, with an underlying purpose to connect with people in a community. Affinity groups and individuals utilize the site as a gateway to connect whether its for the purpose of dating, finding an apartment, a job, or even a person to take a walk in the park with that very afternoon.

In terms of marketing and selling products, Craigslist has become incredibly popular due largely to the increasing number of users as well as the ability to freely share information about items sold. It's business and social appeal makes for a unique online community that attracts people worldwide, whether they're perusing the site out of curiosity, ranting about topical political issues, or trying to sell property. With the range of topics, interactions, and transactions that occur on a daily basis, Craigslist heads created a logical set of rules and regulations to protect users and the site's integrity.

While the marketing possibilities on Craigslist are endless, its important to understand and abide by the rules and regulations. Once the rules and regulations are realized, Craigslist provides an entirely unique and thriving online environment for internet savvy marketers.

The Craigslist homepage may initially appear unusual compared to what's normally viewed online. No graphics...hard to read text and hundreds of links. The site's unusual appearance is a result of the prohibition of banners, ads, pop ups, and pop under; images that are commonly displayed on most websites. Without the typical means to advertise a product online, strategic and smart marketing becomes essential to the campaign.

From a marketer's standpoint, the access to buyer demographics and forthright postings of wanted items makes for a b2c dream! Craigslist collects the following data from its users:

   · E-mail address

   · For paid job postings, contact information, name(s), telephone/fax numbers, and addresses.

   · Credit card information is NOT retained

   · Web logs collect standard log entries for each page serviced including IP addresses, page URLs, and timestamps.

What Marketers must know about user's protected information:

   · Personal information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

   · Craigslist does not participate in cross-marketing or link-referral programs with other sites.

   · Tracking devices are not used.

   · No unsolicited information will be sent for marketing purposes.

   · Account information is password protected.

   · Craigslist offers anonymous e-mail & relay to reduce spam and third party agendas.

And finally, rules and regulations regarding unacceptable content:

  · Obscene material or child pornography.

  · Weapons and related items, including firearms, disguised, undetectable or switchblade knives, martial arts weapons, sniper scopes, silencers, ammunition, large capacity magazines, BB guns, tear gas or stun guns.

  · Fireworks, including "safe and sane" fireworks or any destructive devices or explosives.

  · Controlled substances or illegal drugs, substances and items used to manufacture controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

  · Alcohol or tobacco products.

  · Prescription drugs and medical devices, such as prescription or contact lenses, defibrillators, hypodermic needles or hearing aids.

  · Nonprescription drugs that make false or misleading treatment claims or treatment claims that require FDA approval.

  · Blood, bodily fluids or body parts.

  · Animals and animal parts, including the retail sales of cats and dogs.

  · Restricted or regulated plants and insects, such as noxious weeds, endangered plant species, or live insects or pests.

  · Pesticides or hazardous substances, or items containing hazardous substances such as contaminated toys, or art or craft material containing toxic substances without a warning label.

  · Illegal telecommunications equipment, such as access cards, password sniffers, access card programmers and unloopers, or cable descramblers

  · Stolen property or personal property with the serial number removed or altered.

  · Burglary tools, such as lock-picks or motor vehicle master keys

  · False identification cards, items with police insignia, citizenship documents, or birth certificates.

  · Counterfeit currency, coins and stamps, as well as equipment designed to make them.

  · Counterfeit or knock-off brand name goods.

  · Material that infringes copyright, such as warez, bootlegs (without consent of the band), etc.

· Airline tickets that restrict transfer.

· Gambling items, such as lottery tickets, sports trading card `grab bags,' raffle tickets, sweepstakes entries or slot machines.

· Used or rebuilt batteries and batteries containing mercury.

· Used bedding and clothing, unless sanitized in accordance with law.

· Non-packaged food items or adulterated food.

 
Craigslist Selling Tips