Craigslist IP Blocked? Here's How to Unblock Craigslist in 2024

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 really frustrating when my IP address got blocked. After a lot of trial and error, I found 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 country 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 as it's the most reliable at masking my IP address. It’s also fast, so you don’t have to wait for ages for Craigslist to load. You can even try it out risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Editors' Note: Expressvpn and this site are in the same ownership group.Try ExpressVPN With Craigslist >>

Why You Need a VPN to Get Around a Craigslist IP Ban

When Craigslist bans you, it blocks your IP from accessing its site permanently. This can even be for something completely accidental or out of your control, like promoting a post you didn’t know was on Craigslist’s prohibited list or getting flagged by other users. The only solution to this is to get a new IP address that Craigslist doesn’t recognize. After a lot of testing, I found that the easiest way to change an IP address is by using a VPN.

A VPN gives you a new IP address from a region of your choice. Craigslist can’t identify you by your new IP, so it won’t know it’s you — and you’ll be able to get back on the site again. VPNs with larger server networks have thousands of IP addresses, so you can rest assured you'll easily regain access to Craigslist.

It has many servers you can use to change your IP address for Craigslist

In addition to restoring your complete access to Craigslist, a VPN can also enable you to bypass other websites that are inaccessible due to censorship, prohibitions, or geographical restrictions.

Best VPNs for Unblocking Your IP Address From Craigslist in 2024

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

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Tested April 2024

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ExpressVPN tops the list in terms of reliability for unblocking Craigslist (or any other platform) due to its commitment to maintaining dedicated 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. Additionally, there's a broad selection of server locations available, enabling you to post or react to advertisements in various regions.

My DNS and IP leak tests also came back clean. ExpressVPN won’t leak your real IP address, so you can always access Craigslist easily. It uses military-grade encryption by default, preventing anyone from monitoring or tracking your activity while you browse and post. There is also a kill switch to protect your real IP address from being visible to Craigslist if you unexpectedly lose your VPN connection or just consecutively switch between servers.

ExpressVPN enforces a stringent no-logs policy, substantiated and audited via its TrustedServer technology, which operates exclusively on RAM servers. These RAM-dedicated servers eliminate all evidence of your browsing history every time the server undergoes a reboot. Consequently, ExpressVPN does not retain any record of your actions on Craigslist, ensuring your activities and data remain untracked and cannot be associated with you.

The only downside is that ExpressVPN can be a bit pricier than some other services. You can get a long-term plan for $6.67/month. Also,  you can try ExpressVPN out completely risk-free (it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee). Plus, all plans let you use ExpressVPN on 8 devices simultaneously, which gives you great value for money.

Useful Features

• Lightway protocol. This is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, optimized for speed and security. It’s activated by default and uses obfuscation to hide your VPN traffic so that it’s harder to detect that you’re using a VPN. This helps you avoid Craigslist bans even more reliably.
• Threat Manager. This DNS blocker prevents communications with malicious third parties to prevent pop-up ads, trackers, and malware. It’s available on iOS, macOS, and Linux and can be easily enabled in the settings. In this way, Threat Manager can help you avoid many of the scammers and frauds on Craigslist.
• Split tunneling. Split tunneling allows you to decide which apps should go through your VPN connection and which can bypass it. ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature is available on macOS, iOS, and Windows. This is handy if you want to use the VPN to access your Craigslist account while accessing your other accounts with your real IP.
• 24/7 live chat. ExpressVPN is known for its reliable, fast, and helpful 24/7 live chat support. If you get banned or have technical issues that prevent you from accessing Craigslist, this means that you can always quickly get help.

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 is also really easy to use. It supports a large variety of devices and offers the ability to connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. This makes it a great option if you want to access Craigslist on multiple devices or share your VPN connection with everyone in the household. Its apps have an intuitive interface that makes it easy to find and connect to the best server. With the help of the search bar, you’ll find your needed location in seconds.

Unfortunately, CyberGhost covers its most expensive monthly plan with a relatively short 14-day money-back guarantee. However, you can try it out risk-free for 45 days if you can commit long-term. I never had trouble getting in touch with an agent, even when requesting a refund.

Useful Features

• Ad, malware, and tracker blocker. The Block content setting can help you avoid potential security threats and annoying pop-ups, making it easier to browse Craigslist and see listings without distractions.
• Smart Rules. This menu with features allows you to automate VPN connections based on given rules that you can tweak. For example, you can choose a specific server to connect to on launch or set CyberGhost to automatically protect you on unsecured WiFi networks if you’re using Craigslist in a public place.
• NoSpy servers. CyberGhost offers NoSpy servers for a small fee. This is a great option if you’re extra cautious about your privacy, as these servers are all based in CyberGhost’s Romanian headquarters, so no third party has access to your data.
• Private Browser. This is a free, secure browser built by CyberGhost. You can keep your Craigslist activities private, as it prevents your browsing history, cookies, and other data from being stored on your device.

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

With 29,650 servers, PIA offers a large number of IP addresses that can access Craigslist, giving you a high chance of avoiding a ban. If you’re already banned, you can switch to another IP address easily by changing servers to continue using Craigslist. PIA also has strong IP masking and security features to ensure safe browsing.

It might be intimidating to use at first if you’re a beginner, but PIA offers a high degree of customizability to help keep your Craigslist activity private. During testing, I noticed 2 kill switches — a regular and an advanced. The advanced kill switch blocks all traffic until the VPN is switched on. You can even choose between more secure 256-bit or faster 128-bit encryption. There are also widgets with quick settings that you can move around the app for easier access.

PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it out with Craigslist for free. If you use crypto for anonymous payments like many other Craigslist users, PIA also accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Useful Features

• Multi-Hop and Obfuscation. This feature routes your traffic through multiple servers, providing an additional layer of privacy and security. It protects your privacy on Craigslist and avoids potential bans by making it harder to detect your VPN use.
• Connection Automation. This feature allows you to automatically connect or disconnect the VPN when using certain WiFi networks. It is helpful if you usually only use Craigslist on specific networks (like your home WiFi or in a café), so you’re never unprotected.
• MACE. MACE blocks ads, trackers, and known malware domains, providing you with an extra layer of protection. This feature can help you avoid potential scams on Craigslist, like malicious links.
• Quick Connect. PIA has a simple widget that you can use to connect quickly. You can take this widget to the main screen and connect to any of your last 6 used server locations. This saves you a lot of time when choosing a server for Craigslist.

Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

How to Set Up a VPN to Unblock Craigslist

1. Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because it has reliable IP addresses that you can use to regain access to your Craigslist account. The process to sign up for ExpressVPN is quick and simple
2. Download 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. You can find all available apps and device configurations in your account dashboard
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 suggest a server or choose one from the list
4. Go to Craigslist's website. If it doesn’t work on your first go, try clearing your cookies.
5. Get back on Craigslist. You can now freely post on Craigslist again.

Using a VPN but Still Can't Unblock Craigslist? Try These Tips!

• Clear your browser history and cache — This will remove data associated with your blocked IP address, making it easier to access Craigslist using the new VPN IP. That way, you can start fresh with a new browsing session.
• Connect to a different VPN server — Switching to a different server will provide you with a new IP address that is not blocked by Craigslist.
• Use a VPN with obfuscation — Obfuscation can help you by disguising your VPN connection as regular internet traffic, making it more difficult for Craigslist to detect you're using a VPN and block you. Check your VPN, as some only offer this feature with certain servers, protocols, or as a setting.
• Use an incognito browser window — This prevents your browser from storing any data related to your blocked IP address, helping you to avoid getting banned in future sessions.
• Connect through a mobile phone — 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. However, this might cause higher phone bills.
• Reboot your modem — Turning off your modem for 10 minutes to 24 hours (depending on your ISP) may prompt your ISP to assign you a new IP address. However, the new IP may already be blocked due to a previous user, and you may not be able to post ads outside your region. You can check if your IP has changed using this tool.
• Use TOR — This browser allows you to hide your real IP address. The only downside is that it's much more complicated to change a server location yourself. Luckily, you can use a VPN in combination with TOR to select a location and maximize your security and privacy.
• If you have a Craigslist account, log out and sign up with a different email address — Craigslist may have banned your account as well as your IP address.
• Contact your VPN’s customer support — Contacting your VPN's customer support can help you resolve the issues related to blocked IP addresses. They can provide troubleshooting tips, suggest different server locations, or offer other solutions to help you access Craigslist.
• Switch to a different VPN — If you’ve tried everything above without success, it may be that your Craigslist VPN isn't good enough. All the above VPNs are reliable and offer thousands of IP addresses.

FAQs on Using a VPN to Fix a Craigslist IP Ban

Why is my IP address blocked from Craigslist?

There are a few different reasons your IP could get blocked from Craigslist (all of which can be resolved by using a VPN to mask your IP address):

• Posting too much — If you’ve posted more than one listing in the last 48 hours you might get an automatic ban for spamming.
• Posting ads in different regions — Craigslist treats this as suspicious (even if you only wanted to get more coverage for your ad).
• Using a public WiFi network — Since public WiFi users share the same IP address, if one person on your network breaks Craigslist’s rules, everyone will be blocked.
• Posting something that’s on Craigslist’s “Prohibited” list — 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.
• Violating Craigslist’s Terms of Use — Craigslist will ban you for disobeying its Terms of Use, even if you did it by accident.
• Trying to post 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.
• Posting a suspicious link — Posting ads with a link that takes readers to a malicious website, for example, will lead to a permanent ban.
• Posting misleading messages — Posting vague or untrue statements can result in Craigslist IP ban. Try to keep your message as accurate as possible.
• Posting marketing material — Ads where they 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.
• You were part of a data scraping operation — 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.

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

This error message indicates that Craigslist has (shadow) banned your account (and likely blocked your IP address, as well). This usually happens if you violated its Terms of Use or if one of your ads has been flagged by other users. Unfortunately, you cannot get your old account back.

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.

Instead, I recommend using a VPN that offers many IP addresses that you can try and then using Craigslist without an account in the future.

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 do I get unblocked from Craigslist?

To get around a Craigslist ban, you need to change your IP address. This is because Craigslist uses your IP to identify (and block) you.

The easiest and most secure way to change your IP address is by using a VPN. In addition to giving you a new IP address, they encrypt your internet traffic to protect your personal information on Craigslist. Most VPN apps have one-click setups, so it only takes 2–3 minutes to install and connect to a server to change your IP address.

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 promoting prohibited posts 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.
• 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.
• Mask your IP address — Using a VPN to change your IP address regularly will let you post in multiple regions and post as many ads as you’d like without being banned.

Does Craigslist block VPNs?

Craigslist has been known to block some VPNs, particularly those that are commonly used for spam or fraudulent activity. 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.

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. 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 a proxy help me unblock my IP address from Craigslist?

In short, yes, but it's not recommended. Many sites recommend proxies as an alternative solution to getting around Craigslist blocks — but this puts you at risk.

Proxies don’t encrypt your traffic, so they aren’t safe to use for posting personal info to Craigslist. Using proxies leaves you vulnerable to hacking, monitoring, and tracking. Despite claims that they work with Craigslist, many proxies failed to mask my IP address correctly, resulting in my IP getting blocked.

A better and safer solution to get a new IP address for Craigslist is to use a VPN. A VPN will not only give you a new IP address but will also encrypt your traffic and protect you against malware and trackers.

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.

Regain Access to Craigslist in Minutes

Each day, more than a thousand people encounter the frustration of finding their Craigslist accounts blocked. The reasons behind these bans can often remain elusive, making the situation even more exasperating. Although appealing a Craigslist ban is not a viable option, there is an alternative solution available: using a VPN to change your IP address.

Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation to use with Craigslist. It has robust security tools, independently verified privacy policies, and thousands of reliable IP addresses that help you regain access to Craigslist. You can even try ExpressVPN’s servers risk-free since it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, the best VPNs for unblocking Craigslist are…

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