Craigslist wasn’t the first to introduce online personal ads, but for years, it remained the most popular platform for selling and buying old furniture, finding roommates, and getting instant hookups or casual dates.
If you still miss the thrill of Craigslist Personals, let us introduce a few alternatives. They’ll work for online dating, long-distance relationships, and even marriage down the line.
What Has Replaced Craigslist Personals?
Some say Craigslist would never survive the competition once dating sites and apps like Ashley Madison became mainstream. After all, there are significant advantages to using a reliable platform instead of a listings board. Let’s go over a few reputable dating apps that can replace Craigslist Personals for you.
SofiaDate
At first glance, SofiaDate seems like a direct opposite of Craigslist Personals. It’s designed for people looking for long-term commitment, not casual relationships, and it connects American and European guys with Slavic girls instead of producing local matches. At the same time, SofiaDate emphasizes profile descriptions and personal details to bring together like-minded people with similar interests.
Generous profile photo galleries are another advantage of SofiaDate. There are lots of public and private pictures, and live chat and mail can include photo and video messages to build stronger connections across borders.
- More info: SofiaDate review
SakuraDate
We will argue that SakuraDate is a much better option for searching for Asian dates than Craigslist Personals. For one, most profiles include at least five photos to accompany extensive self-descriptions and partner preferences.
For another, SakuraDate comes with impressively flexible search features. Instead of scrolling through endless profiles or personal ads, you can use 15 filters to narrow down the dating pool and find compatible matches quickly. Even if you decide to use the Tinder-inspired swiping tab, you can use wide and fast filters to make your search more targeted.
- More info: SakuraDate review
LatiDate
If you were using Craigslist Personals to find hot Latina dates, LatiDate can be an excellent replacement. Over 100,000 Latina singles from all across Central and South America are looking for friendship, romance, and long-term relationships.
LatiDate combines extensive dating profiles with impressive photo galleries and flexible search tools. You can sign up and start browsing within a couple of minutes, and it is absolutely free. There’s a favorites list to save the loveliest ladies and likes to get their attention. Live chat and mail include audio, photo, and video messages, but there’s no video chat.
- More info: LatiDate review
NaomiDate
NaomiDate leverages detailed profiles and flexible search, which we never got with Craigslist Personals. It’s designed for people interested in long-term relationships, so compatibility is the prime objective. With over a dozen search filters, it’s easy to find potential matches who fit your type to a T and share your interests.
NaomiDate claims to verify personal profiles, but you can still block and report suspicious users to avoid trouble, which makes it a much safer option than Craigslist. Besides, the communication features support audio, video, and photo messages like the best messenger apps.
More info: NaomiDate review
GoldenBride
For some reason, GoldenBride gives off the same vibes as Craigslist Personals, though they have little in common. It’s likely caused by the Latest Updates tab you see after the first log-in. You’ll notice the latest photos, videos, and other updates, which help find matches among the most active GoldenBride members.
Beyond this first impression, GoldenBride is a traditional international dating site, complete with chat and mail interfaces, swiping tab for fast matching, as well as call and gift delivery services. Like other platforms on this list, it comes with free registration and a trial.
- More info: GoldenBride review
UkraineBride4You
If you miss the retro looks and feel of Craigslist Personals, UkraineBride4You should be right up your alley. Its layout and navigation are a throwback to the early 2000s, but it’s still pretty intuitive and user-friendly.
Despite its name, the platform welcomes singles from all Slavic countries. It prioritizes serious relationships and marriage over casual hookups, and the profiles and communication tools perfectly reflect that.
You can enjoy live chat and emails, schedule calls or video chats, swap presents, and get personal details, including a home address, as long as you have serious intentions about one of your matches.
- More info: UkraineBrides4you review
LatamDate
When you get tired of meaningless hookups on Craigslist, try LatamDate. It’s designed for lasting connections between American guys and Latin girls looking for serious relationships and marriage. Even with a free profile, you can explore member accounts, scroll through their photo galleries, and start a list of favorites.
Free registration includes a couple of chat vouchers to let you test the premium upgrade before committing to a credit bundle. But you can also use credits for video and phone calls, access to private media, and sending flowers and gifts.
LoveForHeart
Although LoveForHeart is not a direct Craigslist alternative, it works for international connections. Member profiles are much more thorough than personal ads, so you’ll have everything you need to find someone suitable and initiate a conversation. Use swiping or search filters to narrow down your partner options.
As a new member, you can explore the dating pool, start a list of favorites, and even test texting, thanks to 20 bonus credits. But if you’re eager to swap pics, voice messages, and short video clips, consider purchasing credits.
More info: LoveForHeart Review
GoChatty
GoChatty is another excellent replacement for Craigslist personal ads, because it’s chock-full of visuals you won’t get anywhere else. Member profiles host dozens of public and private photos and videos, even if personal details are a bit sparse. You get to meet singles from all over the world, from the US to Asia and Eastern Europe.
With a basic membership, you can explore the international dating pool and use photo search in the “Topics” tab. But if you want the full experience, buy a few GoCoins, and you’ll unlock all the premium benefits, including private media and chats that support disappearing photos and videos for extra spicy conversations.
More info: GoChatty Review
OkAmour
If you aren’t happy with Craigslist personals because there’s not much to go on, you’ll love OkAmour. Member profiles have all the details you need to find a compatible match for a cyber romance or something long-term. All public details are accessible for free, and so are search and matching.
As a new member, you’ll get 20 free credits to experiment with live chat and mail. You can even try attaching a photo or a voice message. But if you want to exchange video clips or continue your conversations, you’ll need to buy a credit bundle.
What Happened to Craigslist Personals?
Craigslist stopped listing personal ads in March of 2018 after Congress passed the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA). The company wanted to avoid liability for third parties misusing online personals for illegal activities. It was an attempt to protect other services. Although Craigslist expressed hope that Personals would one day return, there have been no changes in the past six years.
When Did Craigslist Stop Personals?
The Craigslist Personals section was suspended in early 2018 in response to the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. Before that, in 2009, Craigslist stopped listing “erotic services,” which were renamed “adult services” and suspended in 2010. Only the “missed connections” section remains, but it’s nowhere near as popular as Personals.
Expert Opinion
Author
Craigslist Personals were only good for casual encounters and quick local hookups. It was especially popular among the LGBTQ+ community, though there were plenty of straight couples who met through Craigslist.
You can find many Craigslist Personals alternatives, especially if you’re over casual dating and want to forge connections before bringing intimacy into your relationship. Be honest about your priorities and relationship expectations before choosing the dating platform, and you will be happy with the matches you get.
Conclusion
Craiglist Personals was the perfect storm of unresolved sexual tension and adrenaline from never knowing who was waiting for you on the other side. It was good while it lasted, but the inherent risks were too high, making it an unsustainable dating solution. Luckily, plenty of dating platforms continue to bring people together, but in a much safer way.
Our list of Craigslist Personals alternatives is better suited for people who know what they are looking for and are ready to settle down. Still, there are plenty of sites and apps out there for those who miss the hookup opportunities and the thrill of intimacy with strangers.
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