How to Unblock Craigslist: Bypass IP Bans [2024 Guide]

Craigslist has a long list of rules, and you can easily get your IP blocked for being unaware of its Terms of Use. Something as simple as posting too many ads or using a public WiFi network can result in a block. This can be annoying for you and your business since it makes it impossible to post on Craigslist with your current IP address.

I use Craigslist all the time, so it was irritating when my IP address got blocked. Luckily, I was already aware that the easiest way to get back on Craigslist is to use a VPN. It’s a simple app that gives you a new IP address in the region of your choice. This way, Craigslist can’t identify you and prevent you from posting — or block you again in the future.

After testing 100+ VPNs with my team, I highly recommend ExpressVPN. It has automatic obfuscation so that you can use Craigslist from anywhere. It’s also the fastest VPN we’ve ever tested, so you don’t have to wait for Craigslist to load. You can even try it out risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Unblock Craigslist Securely >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Unblocking Craigslist in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

How to Unblock Craigslist With a VPN

This is the easiest and most reliable way to unblock Craigslist. A VPN is a simple app that hides your real IP address and replaces it with one from a location of your choosing. It’s, therefore, ideal for bypassing Craigslist bans with just a few clicks. It also encrypts your data, so your Craigslist browsing is hidden from prying eyes.

1. Choose a VPN

I recommend ExpressVPN because it has fast speeds and reliable IP maintenance for using Craigslist on networks that may filter the use of online marketplaces.

It took less than 2 minutes to download and install ExpressVPN

2. Download and Install the VPN App

You can choose to download a desktop version (for macOS and Windows) or add the VPN as an extension to Google Chrome and Firefox. Or if you use Craigslist on mobile, you can download the VPN’s mobile apps.

Apps are available for all popular devices and operating systems

3. Connect to a Server

Select a server in the Craigslist region you want to access. Choosing a server nearby gives you the fastest speeds.

You can let ExpressVPN choose a server or select one from the list

4. Go to the Craigslist Website

If it doesn’t work at first, try clearing your cookies. You can now freely post on Craigslist again.

ExpressVPN has 20+ US locations plus 100+ worldwide for accessing Craigslist markets

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Best VPNs to Unblock Craigslist in 2024

Get back on Craigslist with one of my top-rated VPNs. Each one offers a global network of reliable servers, fast speeds, multiple device connections, and a trusty money-back guarantee.

1. ExpressVPN — Most Reliable IP Addresses Worldwide to Regain Access to Craigslist

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

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www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN tops the list in terms of reliability for unblocking Craigslist due to its commitment to maintaining working IP addresses. It manages an extensive array of IPs that are frequently updated, making it highly improbable for anyone to sustainably block its IPs. If any are blocked, they are promptly substituted with functioning IPs to guarantee consistent access to Craigslist from any location.

ExpressVPN's speeds were consistently fast in our tests, with an unnoticeable 1% speed loss on nearby servers when testing in the UK. That’s partly thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which is designed to be lightweight and quick. With a fraction of the codebase of any standard protocol, it even conserves battery when using Craigslist securely on mobile devices.

As with most VPNs, short-term contracts are pricey. However, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free opportunity to test its capabilities. Plus, you can save 82% by opting for a long-term plan.

2. CyberGhost — Strong DNS/IP Leak Protection Helps You Avoid a Craigslist Ban

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost successfully masked my IP address every time. I ran both DNS and IP tests and didn’t detect any leaks. You can easily enable leak protection from the settings menu. Plus, CyberGhost can automatically connect through a randomly chosen port instead of a fixed one with a click in the same menu. This makes it even harder for Craigslist to detect that you’re using a VPN, so you can avoid getting banned in the first place.

CyberGhost’s speeds over long distances weren’t as impressive as with ExpressVPN. But local speeds during my tests in the UK were very healthy, with just a 5% speed loss. Plus, CyberGhost's long-term plans offer great value and come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. This makes it an excellent choice for heavy Craigslist users looking for reliable access over extended periods.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — 29,650 Servers to Easily Continue Posting on Craigslist

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA boasts a vast network with servers in every US state, ensuring that you get speedy and secure access to Craigslist from any location. It has servers in 91 countries overall, which isn’t quite as many as ExpressVPN. Nevertheless, it offers easy global access to Craigslist.

Unlimited device connections is an impressive benefit with PIA, meaning you don’t have to log out of any of your devices while you browse Craigslist. You can even test it yourself for free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Craigslist

My team and I followed a strict process while we were testing the best VPNs for Craigslist. First, we checked the size of the server network to make sure it had enough fresh IPs to offer. Then, we made sure it was fast enough so you could browse listings without needing to wait for images to load.

Finally, we checked to ensure that each one offers robust security features. Each option that we’ve recommended gives you military-grade encryption to protect your data from prying eyes, plus IP leak protection so you can use Craigslist uninterrupted.

Why Does Craigslist Block Users?

Craigslist uses three main types of blocks. Depending on the rule you’ve broken, you may not be banned from the platform immediately.

The first block is known as “ghosting.” This is effectively a shadow ban — you can use your account like normal, but other users can’t see your posts. This usually happens if your account has the hallmarks of a spam or scam account, like using certain email domains or ISPs to post. This happens automatically, even if you’re using your account or posting legitimately.

Following this, or for more serious rules violations, Craigslist will ban your account or your IP address. While you can create a new account for free, it’s possible that the platform will ban both at the same time.

Craigslist bans users for a variety of reasons. Familiarizing yourself with these criteria can help you avoid bans in the future.

Repeat Posts

Under Craigslist’s posting rules, you can only create one post per item/offering in any 48-hour period. If you post more than this, your account may be ghosted (if you’ve only done it once) or banned automatically.

Posting in Different Regions

Craigslist treats this as suspicious (even if you only wanted to get more coverage for your ad). Note that you don’t have to log in or even create an account to post ads.

Using Public WiFi

Since public WiFi users share the same IP address, if one person on your network breaks Craigslist’s rules, everyone will be blocked. A VPN is a good way to avoid public WiFi blocks.

Posting Prohibited Items

This list doesn’t just cover posts about illegal items or services. Pets, alcohol, tobacco, and raffle tickets are all prohibited. Lots of posts can be accidentally flagged under these guidelines. Also, be aware that Craigslist is available in multiple global countries, and prohibited and illegal items may differ from region to region.

Posting From a Blocked Location

Since you can buy and sell almost anything on Craigslist, places like schools, libraries, workplaces, etc., often don’t allow the use of the website on their network. However, if you use a VPN, network blocks and firewalls won’t see your data or the sites you visit, allowing easy access to Craigslist and similar marketplaces.

Posting Misleading Information

Posting keyword-stuffed, vague, or untrue statements can result in a Craigslist IP ban. Try to keep your message as accurate as possible. While keywords and special characters can draw attention to your post, over-using them could flag your post as spam, which usually leads to your account being ghosted.

Posting Marketing Material

Ads that purposely try to navigate traffic to a website might result in an IP block. This means that you have to be careful with the use of external links.

Scraping Data

One way that Craigslist protects its users is to ban the IP addresses of people who are caught saving other people’s personal information from their ads. Craigslist uses an automated method for blocking, so this may happen even if you’re using scraping for legitimate reasons.

Alternative Methods to Unblock Craigslist

While testing, we had some luck with the following methods. If you're still struggling to access your Craigslist account, I recommend trying these in combination with a VPN or just using a VPN alone as it’s the most reliable option.

1. Use a Proxy

A proxy is similar to a VPN in that it can give you a new IP address and change your location.

However, unlike a VPN, it won’t encrypt and protect your data. That means that your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, and hackers can monitor your Craigslist browsing. It’s also worth noting that many proxies may already have been banned, so this isn’t as reliable as using a VPN with rotating IP addresses.

You can easily configure a proxy server on Firefox browser

2. Use the Tor Browser

The Tor browser bounces your data across a global network of “nodes” to change your virtual location. While it can give you access to Craigslist, you won’t be able to select your region. It was originally designed for private web browsing, but Tor can also be used to access the dark web. This can flag your use of Tor as being suspicious, even if you’re doing nothing wrong.

Even though I'm in the UK, Tor connected me to the Berlin region of Craigslist

3. Use a Private Browser Window

This prevents your browser from storing any data related to your blocked IP address. However, it won’t restore access to a blocked account. So, I recommend using this method with a VPN to prevent future bans.

This window on Chrome is known as Incognito

4. Use Mobile Data

Using your data on your mobile phone could help to unblock Craigslist. Mobile phone connections are often more difficult to block because your IP changes more frequently using mobile internet. You can even set up your mobile device as a hotspot for your desktop PC. However, this may cause higher phone bills.

5. Reset Your Router

Unplugging your router for 5 minutes causes it to reset, and you may be issued with a new IP address. However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t the case for every ISP, and it may take a few minutes for your router to restart and reconnect.

6. Use Alternate Trading Platforms

If you’re left frustrated by a Craigslist ban, there are various alternatives available. Gumtree, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace are all sites that you can use instead.

FAQs on Unblocking Craigslist

What does it mean if Craigslist says, “This posting is being blocked”?

This error message indicates that Craigslist has stopped your posting because either its automated systems detected that it might be spam or a scam, or it’s been flagged by other users. Following this, your account will typically be shadowbanned (or “ghosted”), and if it happens again, your account and IP will be blocked. If this happens, you’ll need to use a VPN to regain access.

Creating an account isn't obligatory for posting ads on Craigslist, although there are certain advantages to doing so (such as the ability to edit your prior posts). I would advise against setting up an account if it's unnecessary, as having one enables Craigslist to retain additional information about you, potentially complicating efforts to circumvent future blocks.

For how long does Craigslist block your IP?

Unfortunately, a Craigslist IP ban is permanent. You can’t get an IP address unblocked, so you need to use a VPN to access Craigslist.

A VPN can replace your blocked IP address with a new one that works with Craigslist, giving you immediate access to the site. You can also use your VPN to post ads in other regions (if you try to do this without a VPN, you’ll be blocked).

How can I avoid getting banned by Craigslist in the future?

There are some easy steps you can take to avoid being banned from Craigslist:

• Familiarize yourself with Craigslist’s “Prohibited” list. Not all of the entries refer to illegal items or activities, so you may have been trying to list prohibited offerings without realizing it.
• Stick to posting in one region. Craigslist will automatically ban you if you post ads in multiple areas with the same IP address. However, connecting to a different region with a VPN will grant a new IP from that region.
• Limit how often you post. This should prevent you from being accidentally identified as a spammer.
• Don’t try to create multiple accounts using the same IP address. Craigslist automatically blocks you since creating multiple accounts is against its Terms of Use.
• Use a VPN on shared networks. Using a VPN at work, school, or on public WiFi will avoid bans picked up by other users.

Does Craigslist block VPNs?

Craigslist has been known to block some VPNs, particularly those that are commonly used for spam or fraudulent activity. However, using a reputable VPN service that employs advanced security protocols and regularly updates its IP addresses can help you avoid Craigslist's VPN blocks.

VPNs are not expressly against Craigslist's Terms of Use, although they do forbid “bypassing or attempting to bypass [Craigslist’s] moderation efforts.” Although this is fairly vague, you may be charged $4 per violation.

It’s important to note that the team and I don’t condone using a VPN to engage in illegal or malicious activities on Craigslist. That can lead to consequences, like getting banned or legal action.

Can Craigslist track and block your IP?

Yes, Craigslist can track and block your IP address if it detects suspicious activity or violations of its community guidelines. However, by using a reliable VPN service, you can get a new IP and access the website.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs to unblock Craigslist...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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