Classified websites are the easiest mediums to buy or sell products and to create backlinks for affiliate websites.
Backpage was a popular website in that regard.
The Rise and Fall of Classified Ads
Started in 2004, it was one of the largest marketplaces for buying and selling products, posting classified ads, and the best part – it was completely free to use.
By 2011, it became the second-largest free classified website in the US. Not just in the US, it had its popularity constantly rising in Canada and the UK as well.
Then, the obvious question comes to mind: why was it shut down?
Where Did The Backpage Posters Go?
After years of witch-hunting by the Feds, CEOs of Backpage were prosecuted and finally found guilty on charges of running a userbase of sex workers and escorts.
Since then sites the likes of Craigslist personals have witnessed a sharp decline.
Although Backpage was one of the most used classified ads platforms, it had to be taken down in 2018 due to the charges.
This is the reason why Backpage does not publish any further ads, and all its posters have gone down. However, there are multiple sites like Backpage that facilitate buying and selling goods and services for free.
These sites provide you with almost similar features, interfaces, and services to not worry any further.
9 Best Backpage Alternative Websites
1. Bedpage

Mirroring the workflow of the Backpage itself, the first pick on our list is Bedpage. This website has gradually built quite a strong online presence. With thousands of users worldwide and a growing user base, Bedpage screens every new account for scammers and frauds.
One of the things that Bedpage draws from Backpage is the clutter-free UI and its user-friendly usability. Everything is neatly presented where one would expect them to be.
With the exact same marketplace as its predecessor, you will come across posts from different domains.
Bedpage is available as an Android APK, which makes browsing and listing even easier.
The website is completely free to use and requires a one-time sign-up without any payment details. If you later realize you aren’t happy or satisfied with the services, you can delete the account.
2. FreeAdsTime

As the name implies, FreeAdsTime is a free classified ads website that allows its users to post free ads for different goods and services.
Within the popular categories of pets, cars, jobs, and apartments, you can post an ad on this site, and within a few minutes, your ad will go live and be visible to the public.
The setup on this website is also quite simple and clean. You will not have to spend much time browsing through different sections and subsections to list your ad.
Unlike most Backpage alternatives, the ads on FreeAdsTime are well-displayed to earn clicks.
You can post on this website either by signing up for a free account or simply as a guest. The difference would be, if you post from a registered account, you will be able to track ads. But, if you post as a guest, the website will notify you of the updates via email.
Free Ads Time also allows for multiple edits as long as the ad is live on the website.
3. ClassifiedAds

The easiest to use of all Backpage replacements is classified ads. In order to add a listing on this website, all you need to do is click on the “Post an Ad” option.
The best part about classified ads is that you can actually save formalities like filling in details later and posting your ad first.
This Washington-based website has a wide range of categories to browse through or post in, including popular ones such as personal items, real estate, and jobs.
Because of the wide and expansive userbase, the site is quite effective and draws a lot of traffic.
For ease of business, it allows you to add HTML to every individual listing you post. Thus it helps entrepreneurs and local businesses to redirect the traffic to their own websites, making it the perfect platform for personal advertising.
ClassifiedAds has a strict and rigorous screening process to filter out spammers. Therefore it is unlikely to come across fraudulent listings on this website.
4. Hoobly

If Craiglist ever spawned an offspring, Hoobly would be that. Considered to be the most genuine of Backpage alternative websites, Hoobly has an uncompromising fraud detection algorithm to keep all scammers at bay. The algorithm collects and analyzes user feedback and reports, network data, and registered members’ behavior patterns.
This website, just like Craigslist, will allow you to post ads under multiple categories.
The categories provided by Hoobly are organized from A-Z, which makes browsing a lot more convenient.
Starting from Announcements and Events to Employment and Careers, the website has all the categories you could wish for.
But in case you are a pet lover, Hoobly has some bonuses. It has a sweeping variety of pets and pet-related services under the Pets category.
Hoobly also has a category called Personals, which you can use to connect to like-minded people and build community by putting up ads under this category.
5. Oodle

Based in San Mateo, California, Oodle has become a favorite among people on a hunt for Backpage alternatives. The reason for this popularity is its “Personals” section which acts almost like a dating site.
By providing further subcategories of Women Seeking Men, Men Seeking Women, Women Seeking Women, Men Seeking Men, Casual Encounters, Dating, etc., this platform allows users to intermingle. Users can specify their ads so that they get directed to relevant matches.
But it strictly prohibits classified ads related to any escort activities on the platform, unlike Backpage.
So don’t mistake Oodle’s dating services for a Craigslist personal alternative.
Other than the “Personals,” Oodle also allows classifieds of different categories.
Due to the long-standing and faithful userbase, there is always active traffic on the site. This makes it a great site to sell your products or services and connect to new people.
But unlike Backpage, Oodle has ethical website management that monitors and tracks possible illegal activities. It also has a strong screening algorithm that detects fake profiles quite efficiently.
Also, given the integration with USA Today, whatever ads you post on Oodle will also appear on the newspaper’s website, thereby reaching a greater mass.
6. UKclassifieds

With more than 750,000 listings on their website, UKclassifieds bags the next position in our list. Based out of the UK, this website is the UK’s most popular free classified site similar to Backpage.
With listings spanning across the domains of Sports, Leisure, Property, Food & Drinks, Health, Beauty, and services, you will be able to find whatever they have been looking for.
This free classified site will help you skim through the services in and around the United Kingdom.
Due to a large number of users, UKclassifieds has become the best platform for entrepreneurs and startups to launch their businesses. The web pages are quite organized and to the point.
UK classifieds have a number of stringent policies for the user. Therefore you will be coming across only interested and genuine buyers or sellers. Such strict policy around ad posting helps keep fake advertisements and illegal adult classifieds at bay.
However, when you register on this website, make sure the credentials match your social media handles.
In case of a mismatch, the algorithm might read the user as a fraud or a scammer and eventually flag them.
7. Domestic Sale

Domestic Sale is one of those classified websites which can be a great alternative to Backpage. This Backpage replacement is so popular that it is attracting hundreds of users every month.
The combined benefits of its mature user feedback and a trouble-free UI design set it aside from the competitors and will soon help it earn the title of the best Backpage replacement.
To post a listing, you need to create a personal ad and then send it for approval. Once you send it across, the website will take some time to process it, and within a few minutes, your ad will be live on their site.
Domestic Sale has a nice and functional search engine that will provide you with the most relevant search results. This website does not provide online dating options, which in turn keeps your identity and privacy intact.
Most listings on this free classified website pertain to goods and services.
The marketplace is regularly monitored to keep it safe and secure from scammers.
You can set your desired radius and then directly speak to the individual to finalize a deal.
8. H1Ad

If you are looking for great deals or a platform to sell your items at a reasonable price, H1Ad will meet all your requirements. Providing services in over 1000 cities, H1Ad is steadily becoming one of the best sites like Backpage.
The pancontinental classifieds website has a very well-organized UI without any bogus categories to mislead the users.
You can use this new Backpage alternative site to post ads and get services from Nova Scotia, Ontario Quebec, New Zealand, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and even a few countries from the middle east and the Asia Pacific region.
The website has also put up a guideline on precautionary measures and a few safety tips for added security. All users are given the option of blocking or reporting a suspicious account, and H1Ad looks into it at the earliest.
H1Ad features a unique ‘Instant Ad Banner Generator’ in collaboration with Placeit, the world’s fastest-growing design, logo, and mockup website.
Using this feature, one can create high-quality ad banners for free. Nonetheless, to use this feature, one has to create an account with H1Ad.
9. Locanto

Locanto is a potent Backpage replacement when it comes to personal ad posting. This alternative to Backpage was founded in New York in 2006.
You can either access the classified website on your browser or download the Locanto app from the Android and iOS app store so that you can post ads and check out various location-based services on the move.
All you need to do is choose a location and Locanto would provide you with all the services from that location.
You can post ads for free in many categories such as real estate, services, community, automobiles, pets, properties, etc.
The ads stay on the website for 60 days, after which a renewal is required.
Using its mini analytics tool, you can check the number of views your ad has received.
Interestingly, Locanto also allows you to add HTML links for backlinking to your website. It is a great classified website that also provides options for social media sharing and uploads helpful blogs regularly.
Users can also pay an amount to ‘feature’ their listing on this website, ensuring that it reaches out to the maximum number of buyers.
If you are looking for a trustworthy Backpage alternative site with maximum safety minus the scandal, Locanto would be a perfect choice.
Conclusion
The alternatives like Backpage listed above are not for adult ads, and it would not be wise to use them for the same, as it may cause instant suspension of your account. The above Backpage classified alternatives can’t be used as Craigslist personals thanks to their strong
Using the above Backpage alternative website you can post free personal ads, job posting, advertisements, and divert traffic to your website.
Since the legal proceedings on Backpage, all the ad posting sites are refraining from advertisements related to sex, escorts, and other adult dating services.
So depending on your location, you should choose the right Backpage alternative website.
Do let us know which one is your favorite alternative and why.
Our readers will love to hear your opinion for sure.
FAQs
Q. In the United Kingdom which is the right replacement for Backpage?
UKclassifieds is the best Backpage alternative especially when you are in and around the UK.
Q. Can I meet new people and use these Backpage alternative websites for dating?
Using the dating section on Oodle personals can meet like-minded people. However, it cannot be used as a Craigslist personal alternative.
Q. Can we use these Backpage alternatives to find local business and jobs posting and to post classified ads?
Yes, you can post free ads and also make the most of available services from a certain location.
For example, if you want to check out services from Australia and Oceania, you simply need to select the location and search from various classified categories.
Q. Can we monitor the statistics and performance of our free classified ads?
Yes, you can monitor and analyze the performance of your ads. You can even check out the number of people who have clicked on your ad and how often they make a purchase.
These Backpage classified alternatives can also pinpoint the area where your ads are performing their best.
Q. Which are the best Backpage alternative websites for free classified ads?
ClassifiedAds, Oodle, and Locante are some of the best Backpage classified websites that allow you to post free quality ads.
However, they can’t be used as an alternative to Craigslist personals.
Q. How to post classified ads?
To post your ad you need to first select the geographical area where you want your ad to show up.
So, when you are posting ads for services jobs in Costa Rica, or Nigeria, South Africa, locals from only that region would be able to see your advertisements.
Q. Is a Phone number required while posting ads?
Depending on the type of business you own and the services you provide, the advertisements you post may or may not mention your phone number in your advertisements.
In case you want the phone number to be visible only to legit candidates, you can redirect the users to your website from the advertisement and ask them to subscribe or sign in to your website in order to view your phone number.
This way you can prevent your phone number from being misused for illicit services.