If you haven’t used Craigslist, you’re missing out on some great deals that are right in your neighborhood!
Craigslist is a US site that offers classified ads that are separated into categories for rentals, sales, services wanted and provided, and all sorts of goods.
If you are a regular advertiser or consumer on Craigslist, you know that it is important to follow the Terms and Conditions set forth to avoid being blocked from the Craigslist platform. If you are reported or caught disobeying the Craigslist policies, your IP address can be blocked from the site, making it impossible to access the resources that you need.
But don’t worry! We’ve found a way around these Craigslist IP blocks. Keep on reading this article to find out how to get unblocked from Craigslist so that you can get back to buying, selling, and networking on this site in no time.
In a Hurry? Here's How to Unblock Craigslist with a VPN
Why Your IP Is Blocked on Craigslist
While there are many possible reasons, here are some of the things that may have led to these restrictions:
1. Illegal posts:
Since it is against Craigslist’s terms to post any type of illegal services, products, or links, posting these things will likely lead to your IP being blocked. To help consumers clarify what items, services, and goods are prohibited, Craigslist offers a list.
2. Long-winded posts:
In Craigslist’s Terms, it states that you can only post to a single category in a single city once every 48 hours. Posting too many times in a two-day span can prompt Craigslist to block your IP address. If you go beyond your daily limit, you may be sent an error message stating that your “posting is being blocked.”
3. Posting ads in another location:
Posting ads in cities aside from the one you are in is not allowed on Craigslist. This will raise suspicion and you may find your IP address blocked from Craigslist. Because Craigslist can see where you are located based on your IP address, its admins know if you are posting in a region that is not your actual location.
4. Web scraping:
Though Craigslist makes it is hard for people to scrape data from its site, it is still possible. If you are caught using any kind of tool to extract data from Craigslist, your IP address will be blocked from the site.
Craigslist IP Blocked: Solutions
There is more than one method to troubleshoot any blocks imposed on you because of your conduct on Craigslist:
Solution 1: Use a mobile device
If you try to use your mobile device‘s data network instead of your Wi-Fi network, this may fix the issue. You should not encounter any problems accessing the Craigslist site since you will be using an IP that is not blocked (not through your ISP). But remember, running up a data bill will just create a new problem for you.
Solution 2: Try to use a proxy server
It may be possible to unblock Craigslist using a proxy. The problem with this is, while it might work, proxies are known to compromise your privacy by selling your IP and data for profit. Because most proxies do not send your traffic through the process of encryption, IP leaks and leaked traffic are common.
Solution 3: Reset your router
In the instance that you are blocked from Craigslist, it is actually your IP that is blocked. If you happen to be using a connection that has a dynamic IP, you may be able to change your IP address, which will solve the problem. Disconnect your router or modem, wait a minute or 2, and then reconnect it. This may succeed in giving you a new IP through your ISP. If it works, when you open your web browser, your new IP will be visible in place of your old blocked one.
Solution 4: Use a VPN
Using a VPN service is our top choice for getting around any problems of IP blocks when trying to unblock Craigslist. A reputable provider, like ExpressVPN, will conceal your actual IP address that may have been blocked. Instead, you can connect to one of your VPN’s servers and get an IP address that is not blocked. Also, using a VPN keeps your online information and IP secure from hackers or third parties. Because Craigslist can‘t identify you, it cants block you.
3 Best VPNs to Unblock Craigslist
After reviews of over 20 VPN companies, these 3 VPNs rose to the top of our list for getting past Craigslist blocks from anywhere.
1. ExpressVPN
With over 3,000 high-speed servers in 94 countries worldwide, ExpressVPN is our number one choice for unblocking Craigslist, and thousands of other blocked content and streaming websites, from anywhere.
ExpressVPN offers military-grade 256-bit encryption, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, a Kill Switch, and a strict no-logs policy; and you can use 5 simultaneous device connections on a single subscription.
ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live-chat support feature ensures that you get a reply within seconds if you put out any calls for help concerning streaming issues or server access, which are rare.
- Fast connection and streaming speeds
- Broad server network
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- More expensive than its competitors
2. NordVPN
NordVPN offers over 5,200 servers in over 60 countries worldwide. NordVPN works great at helping bypass any Craigslist restrictions from anywhere in the world or unblocking other blocked or geo-restricted websites.
NordVPN will protect your online activity with AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, a Kill Switch, and a verified no-logs policy; and you can connect up to 6 devices to a single user subscription.
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Large server network
- Slower speed in advanced security mode
3. Surfshark
Surfshark offers 3,200 servers in over 65 countries worldwide. Surfshark is the most affordable VPN choice for unblocking Craigslist and access to other blocked websites from anywhere in the world.
Part of what pushes Surfshark into the top 3 is that it allows users to connect unlimited devices to a single subscription, which we think calls for a round of applause!
- Cheapest plan of the top VPNs
- 30-day refund guarantee
- 24/7 live chat support
- Slower speeds than its competitors
FAQs
The quickest, most reliable method to unblock your IP is to change your IP by using a VPN. If you use a VPN to access Craigslist, you will be given free rein of your favorite site from any place in the world, anytime.
Conclusion
When Craig Newmark founded the Craigslist website, he probably wasn’t aware of just how popular his platform would become. But now that this website is a staple for businesses and users every day, putting up with an IP block is not an option.
If you want a reliable way to circumvent IP detection to unblock Craigslist at any time, a reliable VPN is the answer.
ExpressVPN will give you a secure Internet connection and a free trial for 30 days so you can test out your VPN before committing to a long-term plan. If you have any questions, ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live-chat customer service to help troubleshoot any VPN issues that may arise.
We hope you enjoyed this article!
