For many millennials, the internet has become a sterile and overwhelming space. Amidst the clutter of AI-driven social media platforms and e-commerce sites that prioritize profit over people, one unlikely oasis stands out: Craigslist. This venerable online classifieds site may seem like a relic of the past, but its devoted user base sees it as a beacon of authenticity in an increasingly curated digital landscape.
For comedian Megan Koester, Craigslist has been a trusted companion for over 15 years, providing her with everything from job opportunities to rent-controlled apartments. Her own personal story is not unique – countless users have found love, housing, and even creative projects on the site. Unlike other platforms that prioritize engagement and virality, Craigslist allows users to connect with others without the trappings of clout-chasing or algorithm-driven recommendations.
"Craigslist is having a revival," says Kat Toledo, an actor who has used the site to find cohosts for her stand-up show. For her, the site's "random factor" – the way it facilitates connections with people from diverse backgrounds – is what makes it so exciting. Her own experiences on Craigslist have been filled with unexpected and often hilarious interactions, from a born-again Christian who reenacted his religious awakening to a poet who insisted on doing her makeup.
Despite its popularity, Craigslist remains an enigmatic presence online. As Jessa Lingel, an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania, notes, it is "the ungentrified internet" – a space that eschews corporate interests and prioritizes user autonomy. The site's founders, Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster, have made a concerted effort to maintain Craigslist's values of simplicity, privacy, and accessibility.
Craigslist's refusal to sell out has become a rallying cry for its devotees, who see the site as a bastion against the homogenization of online culture. As Koester puts it, "Not only is there a purity to the fan base or the user base... there's a purity to the leadership that they're uncorruptible basically." For her, Craigslist will remain an essential part of her digital life – as long as Craig and Jim are at the helm.
While some may view Craigslist as outdated, its users see it as a refreshing alternative in an era dominated by AI-driven platforms. As Toledo notes, "When something is structured so simply and really does serve the community, and it doesn't ask for much? That's what survives." In a world that increasingly values user data and engagement metrics over human connection, Craigslist stands as a testament to the enduring power of authenticity online.
For comedian Megan Koester, Craigslist has been a trusted companion for over 15 years, providing her with everything from job opportunities to rent-controlled apartments. Her own personal story is not unique – countless users have found love, housing, and even creative projects on the site. Unlike other platforms that prioritize engagement and virality, Craigslist allows users to connect with others without the trappings of clout-chasing or algorithm-driven recommendations.
"Craigslist is having a revival," says Kat Toledo, an actor who has used the site to find cohosts for her stand-up show. For her, the site's "random factor" – the way it facilitates connections with people from diverse backgrounds – is what makes it so exciting. Her own experiences on Craigslist have been filled with unexpected and often hilarious interactions, from a born-again Christian who reenacted his religious awakening to a poet who insisted on doing her makeup.
Despite its popularity, Craigslist remains an enigmatic presence online. As Jessa Lingel, an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania, notes, it is "the ungentrified internet" – a space that eschews corporate interests and prioritizes user autonomy. The site's founders, Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster, have made a concerted effort to maintain Craigslist's values of simplicity, privacy, and accessibility.
Craigslist's refusal to sell out has become a rallying cry for its devotees, who see the site as a bastion against the homogenization of online culture. As Koester puts it, "Not only is there a purity to the fan base or the user base... there's a purity to the leadership that they're uncorruptible basically." For her, Craigslist will remain an essential part of her digital life – as long as Craig and Jim are at the helm.
While some may view Craigslist as outdated, its users see it as a refreshing alternative in an era dominated by AI-driven platforms. As Toledo notes, "When something is structured so simply and really does serve the community, and it doesn't ask for much? That's what survives." In a world that increasingly values user data and engagement metrics over human connection, Craigslist stands as a testament to the enduring power of authenticity online.
I'm totally with these millennial dudes who still think Craigslist is the bomb 
! I mean, have you seen those ads for stuff you can buy or sell? No drama, just straight up, no-frills listings that cut through all the noise online 
. And honestly, I love how it's still a free platform - what's not to love about getting something from someone without having to shell out cash upfront 
?
. Like who needs Tinder when you've got a random Christian dude reenacting his conversion in your living room? 
That's some next-level stuff, fam! 
. They're not beholden to corporate overlords or trying to squeeze out every last penny from their users - just good old-fashioned community-driven goodness 
.
, but sometimes I think we need a refreshing reminder of what's truly important: human connection and genuine interactions 
. And for that, Craigslist will always have a special place in my heart 
. 
. But hey, at least it's genuine, right? The fact that Craig and Jim are still keeping the site free and uncorrupted is just awesome 
. It's a breath of fresh air in a world where everything's just trying to sell us something or collect our data 
. So yeah, I'm all for Craigslist making a comeback – long live the underdog! 
. no algorithm-driven drama or clout-chasing here! just people connectin' over real stuff, you know? 
. and can we talk about how refreshing it is in a world where ppl are so obsessed with data & metrics? 
i mean, who needs all that when u have craigslist? 
For me, it’s like the internet equivalent of digging through thrift stores – you never know what weird gem you might find. And I love how Craigslist isn’t all about likes and shares; it's just about connecting with people on a real level 
man i remember back in my day when we actually had to talk to people face 2 face if we wanted 2 find a place 2 live or a job lol craigslist is like a breath of fresh air after all these newfangled social media platforms that are just so scripted n controlled 
what's wrong with just meetin someone n see how it goes? anyway i think its cool that ppl are still findin love n stuff on craigslist like me i found my partner online on that site back in 2012 we met at a coffee shop n it was love at first sight lol anyway thats just my 2 cents but yeah craigslist will always b the OG online classifieds site 
its like they say the site is having a revival right? i mean who needs fancy social media or e-commerce sites when u can find whatever u need (or just wanna chat with someone) on cl, lol. and yeah, the whole "random factor" thing is super underrated – who wouldn't want to stumble upon someone from another walk of life and have a weirdly awesome convo 
. People are actually connecting on a human level, not just trying to game the system and get clout 
. And can we talk about how underrated craigslist is? I mean, it's still the OG 
. Not like all these new platforms that are just here today and gone tomorrow 
. No thanks! Give me craigslist any day 
.
– but overall, I think it's a total winner. Like, when did we start valuing user data and engagement metrics over actual human connection? Craigslist is just like this refreshing breath of air that tells us it's okay to be weird and authentic online 
.
anyone else tired of these newfangled platforms that just prioritize profit over people 
... they're just so sterile and fake! Give me a good ol' fashioned Craigslist any day 
. And don't even get me started on how refreshing it is to have an algorithm that doesn't try to sell you stuff all the time 
It's like they're keeping it old-school just for the sake of it 
. I mean, who needs all those fancy features and data mining when you've got a site that actually prioritizes user autonomy?