Updated on: October 7, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Unblock Craigslist in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN that works with Craigslist. I recommend ExpressVPN since it refreshes its server IPs often, it’s super-fast, and it’s very easy to use.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server. I recommend picking the nearest VPN server, as it will provide the fastest browsing speeds for Craigslist.
- Open your browser and access Craigslist. You should now be able to connect to the site without any issues.
It’s extremely easy to get blocked by Craigslist. The site has very strict rules regarding how you can access the platform, what you can post, and in which sections you’re allowed to post ads. One single mistake can easily result in an IP ban.
The good news is that you can bypass the site’s IP blocks with a VPN. This is an online service that changes your IP address by allowing you to download an app and use it to connect to a VPN server. This way, you access Craigslist via the VPN’s IP address, which isn’t blocked.
If you don’t know how to use a VPN, I’ll help you out with a quick guide. I’ll show you how to easily sign up for a VPN, download and install it, and use it to unblock Craigslist with just a few clicks. Plus, I’ll mention which VPNs work best with Craigslist (ExpressVPN is my #1 pick), and I’ll cover other relevant topics, like why you might not be able to access Craigslist, or if it’s against the site’s rules to use a VPN. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Unblock Craigslist on Any Device
1. Sign up for a VPN that can access Craigslist.
Get a good VPN that works with Craigslist — I like ExpressVPN the most since it can access the site 24/7, it provides super-fast browsing speeds, and it’s extremely simple to use.
2. Download & install the VPN app on your device.
Download the VPN app from the provider’s site, or your mobile device’s app store. Then, just follow the on-screen instructions to install and set up the VPN app.
3. Launch the VPN app & connect to a server.
Just open the VPN app, pick a server location (ideally the nearest one to get the fastest speeds), and unblock Craigslist. For the best results, access the site in your browser’s incognito/private mode.
Best VPNs for Unblocking Craigslist in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for unblocking Craigslist in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for unblocking Craigslist (great IP refresh rate + very fast).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Easy-to-use VPN with servers in almost all US states.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Good VPN with fast speeds & connection automation tools.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Unblocking Craigslist in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking Craigslist. That’s mainly because it refreshes its server IPs extremely fast, which makes it very difficult for Craigslist to detect and block them. I actually connected to one US server location and ran 15 leak tests on it — every leak test showed a different US VPN IP address.
The provider also has really intuitive apps that make it super simple to connect to VPN servers to access Craigslist. The Shortcuts feature is especially useful, as it lets you set up 1-click shortcuts for apps and sites (like Craigslist, for example) that show up on your VPN connection screen. Plus, ExpressVPN has the fastest speeds on the market, so you’ll be able to surf ads, reply to them, and create postings without experiencing long load times.
You also get access to ExpressVPN Keys, which is a great password manager that’s included for free with each ExpressVPN subscription. You can use it to securely log into your Craigslist account, and also quickly generate strong passwords for any new Craigslist accounts you create.
ExpressVPN’s plans begin at $6.67 / month. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it since it provides the best value in 2024. Plus, the longest plan often includes extra months of service for free, and there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Intuitive VPN With Tons of US Server Locations
Private Internet Access (PIA) is very beginner-friendly. The provider’s apps are really simple to navigate, and I really like how all settings and features come with helpful explanations. Plus, PIA allows unlimited simultaneous connections — this makes it a good pick if you need to access Craigslist on a ton of devices.
The provider has a huge number of US server locations — you can connect to a server in 40+ US states. This is really convenient, as it makes it easy to connect to a nearby US server location to get fast browsing speeds.
And the provider also has Identity Guard, which is a data breach monitoring tool that alerts you if your email has been compromised in a data breach. You can use this feature to keep tabs on the email you use for your Craigslist account.
Private Internet Access is really affordable, with prices starting at only $2.03 / month. In addition, it backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Convenient Automation & Fast Browsing Speeds
CyberGhost VPN lets you automate VPN connections for Craigslist via Smart Rules. For example, you can configure the VPN app to automatically connect to your desired US server and open the browser you use to access Craigslist on launch. This saves time, as it lets you instantly unblock Craigslist by simply opening the CyberGhost VPN app.
And the provider also maintains fast browsing speeds. It achieves this since it lets you use WireGuard, which is a very fast protocol (that’s really secure too). Also, CyberGhost VPN has 10+ US server locations you can connect to, which makes it pretty easy to use a nearby server to get good speeds.
CyberGhost VPN has prices that begin at $2.03 / month. It backs all of its long-term plans with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Its shortest plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, which is still pretty decent.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology to pick the VPNs I recommended in this article. I went over 20+ top VPNs, and I used relevant metrics to decide which ones to rank. Here’s a quick look at all the metrics I used:
- I only picked VPNs that consistently access Craigslist. Craigslist is really aggressive when it comes to blocking VPNs, so I only included VPNs that can access the site 100% of the time (mostly because they refresh their server IPs super-fast to avoid IP blocks).
- I prioritized VPNs with tons of US server locations. Craigslist is available in many countries around the world, but most people access it from the US. All the VPNs I added to my list provide access to many US server locations.
- I only recommended secure VPNs. All the VPNs on my list have essential security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to protect against traffic leaks, and a strict no-logs policy. I also tested all of them for leaks to make sure they don’t expose your real location to Craigslist.
- I picked VPNs with fast browsing speeds. Your online speeds will always slow down when you use a VPN, mainly due to the added layer of encryption. That said, all the VPNs I recommend maintain very fast speeds for browsing, viewing ads, and creating postings on Craigslist.
- I only ranked VPNs that are easy to use. I made sure to only include VPNs that have easy-to-use apps that are simple to install and navigate. On average, it won’t take you more than 10 seconds to connect to a server and start using Craigslist with any of the VPNs on my list.
- Finally, I only added VPNs that provide good value to my list. All the VPNs I cover in this article come with affordable plans, and all of them back all purchases with a generous money-back guarantee.
Why Can’t I Access Craigslist?
There are a couple of reasons you might not be able to access Craigslist. Here are the main ones:
1. Craigslist Blocked You
There are several reasons why the site might block you:
- Craigslist is not available in your location. While the site is available in many countries, it’s not completely available worldwide. For example, in Europe, it’s not available in Slovakia or Slovenia. If you access Craigslist in a country it’s not available in, you’ll see this kind of message:
- Creating too many postings. Craigslist only allows you to post in one category and in one city every 48 hours. Going over this limit will likely result in you getting the “this posting is being blocked” error message.
- Posting ads in different regions. The site only allows you to post ads in your region. If you try posting ads in regions or cities you’re not located in, Craigslist will flag it as suspicious behavior, and likely ban you.
- Posting prohibited goods, services, and content. Craigslist has a long list of content, goods, and services that are prohibited on its site. This includes stuff like recalled items, hazardous materials, weapons, ID cards, prescription drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and more.
- Posting misleadings or marketing ads. Craigslist also says it prohibits ads that are misleading, deceptive, or false, and which rely on keyword spam. Also, it’s against the rules to post ads on Craigslist that are intended to drive traffic to a website or link to unsolicited products and services.
- Scraping data. Data scraping means using software to quickly extract bulk data from Craigslist, like listings or prices. Craigslist’s platform is specifically optimized to detect and block data scraping.
- Using public networks. On a Wi-Fi network, all devices connected to the router share the same public IP address, meaning they browse the web using the same IP. This shouldn’t be an issue for you at home, but it could create problems for accessing Craigslist if you use public networks — if someone else on the same network uses Craigslist and gets blocked, you’ll get blocked too.
2. Craigslist Is Blocked on Your Network
If you can’t connect to the site (and you don’t think Craigslist blocked you), there’s a chance your network blocks access to Craigslist. Basically, it uses a firewall that prevents you from communicating with Craigslist’s platform. This is very likely to happen on networks belonging to learning institutions or workplaces.
You can easily get around this issue with a VPN — you just need to connect to a VPN server, and you’ll be able to connect to Craigslist without any issues. That’s because you’ll connect to the site via the VPN’s IP address, which doesn’t have any network restrictions linked to it. But I only recommend doing this if you know for sure you can’t get in trouble for unblocking Craigslist on the network you’re using.
Is Using a VPN Against Craigslist’s Terms of Service?
The site’s terms of service don’t specifically mention that it’s against the rules to use a VPN to access the platform. There’s also no specific mention about it being against the rules to use a VPN to get around IP blocks.
However, I did find this part:
“You agree we may moderate CL access/use in our sole discretion, e.g., by blocking, filtering, re-categorizing, re-ranking, deleting, delaying, holding, omitting, verifying, or terminating your access/license/account. You agree (1) not to bypass said moderation.”
“Moderate” could refer to restricting your access to Craigslist via IP blocks. And “bypass said moderation” could refer to using a VPN to get around the IP block.
So, there’s a chance that if you use a VPN to unblock Craigslist, the site might ban your account. Though, to be fair, you can easily create as many Craigslist accounts as you want, as the site doesn’t place any limits on account creation.
Other Ways to Unblock Craigslist
If using a VPN doesn’t work for you, or it simply isn’t an option, there are other things you can try to unblock Craigslist.
1. Use a Proxy
A proxy is an online service you use to change your IP address by connecting to a proxy server. It works similar to a VPN, but a proxy won’t encrypt your traffic — so, you should only use it if security is not a priority when you unblock Craigslist.
I personally recommend only using free web proxies. There are tons of them on the web — so, if Craigslist blocks the one you’re using, it’s very easy to just switch to a different one. I don’t really think it’s worth paying for a proxy service, considering proxies are less feature-rich and secure than VPNs.
2. Use the Tor Browser
The Tor browser is a free web browser that you can use to connect to the Tor network, which is a privacy tool that encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. So, just like a VPN, it helps you get around Craigslist’s IP blocks.
Just keep in mind that you might experience bigger slowdowns than you would with a VPN. That’s because Tor sends your data through 3 servers, encrypting it 3 times. When I used the Tor browser to access Craigslist, it took around 5–10 seconds for the site to fully load.
3. Use Mobile Data
If you’re on a network that uses firewalls to block Craigslist, the easiest workaround (if using a VPN doesn’t work) is to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data. This way, you’ll use an IP from your cellular provider to connect to Craigslist — as long as your cellular provider’s network doesn’t block the site, there shouldn’t be any issues.
4. Create a New Craigslist Account
If Craigslist banned your account, and not your IP, the only solution is to just create a new Craigslist account. Luckily, doing that is extremely simple — you just need to enter your email address and confirm your account creation.
Craigslist doesn’t put a limit on how many accounts you create, and you can easily use a service like ProtonMail to set up as many email accounts as you want, without having to confirm your phone number. Just make sure you don’t engage in the same actions that got your previous account blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to unblock Craigslist?
I recommend using a VPN first, as you might be dealing with an IP block. If the VPN doesn’t work, there are other things you can try to regain access to Craigslist, such as using a proxy or creating a new account.
Can you unblock Craigslist with a free VPN?
Maybe, but I wouldn’t recommend trying it. It’s easier for Craigslist to block most free VPNs, as they don’t refresh their server IPs very often. So I recommend getting a paid VPN instead (like ExpressVPN), since it’s way more likely to get around the site’s IP blocks.
Should you use a dedicated VPN IP address to unblock Craigslist?
No. I have seen some online sources recommend doing this, but it’s not a good idea. True, Craigslist might be less likely to block a dedicated VPN IP since it’s only used by you. But it could still block it — and if that happens, you’ll need to pay for a new one. It’s much better to just use a VPN that refreshes its server IPs very often, like ExpressVPN does.
What types of Craigslist blocks are there?
The most common one is an IP block, which means Craigslist blacklists your IP address, so that you can’t connect to the site using it. Luckily, you can get around IP blocks with a VPN. However, a VPN won’t help you get around shadowbans and account blocks. A shadowban is when you can’t create postings with your account. And an account block means you can access Craigslist, but you can’t interact with ads.
How long does a Craigslist IP ban last?
It could last anywhere between 24 to 48 hours. The IP ban could also be permanent if you already received 24 or 48-hour IP bans in the past. The only way around the IP ban is to just change your IP address, which you can do with a VPN.
