When Craigslist took down its Personal ads, that gap left a loud silence for anyone looking for adult services, casual meet-ups, and private companionship. Since the shutdown, both individuals and solo providers have wondered: Where should I go instead? Which site can fill the Craigslist Personal gap in 2026?
Craigslist has become a go-to, no-fuss spot for posting and checking out adult services. But after the U.S. passed the FOSTA-SESTA laws, the company had to cut the personnel section to sidestep legal trouble. With that, a key way for folks to express themselves and for providers to reach new clients vanished. Still, the need never faded; it just packed its bags and moved to newer, sharper platforms.
In this piece, we’ll look at the 6 best Craigslist Personal replacements you can use this year. We’ll break down what each site does best and why it’s a smart pick in the fast-changing online world. Whether you’re looking to meet clients or you need services fast and discreetly, these platforms deliver the freedom and flexibility you want.
Why Was Craigslist Personal Shut Down?
Before we jump to the new options, we should rewind to see how we got here. The FOSTA-SESTA laws, aimed at cracking down on online trafficking, pushed Craigslist to yank the personals section. While the laws had good intentions, the ripple effect meant that millions of people lost a relatively safe space for personal ads. What followed? The scene moved online, and the search for safer, friendlier options began.
In 2018, Craigslist shut down its entire personals section after the passage of the FOSTA-SESTA law. This law made online platforms more responsible for any content that might be connected to sex work or trafficking. Craigslist decided to be safe and pulled the whole personals section, even the posts that were legal and consensual.
The move hit users hard. Dating seekers, companionship fans, and adult service providers lost a low-cost, discreet option. Suddenly the online adult services scene looked empty. The big question became: Where can you still post adult services online, legally and securely?
What to Look for in a Craigslist Personal Alternative
If you want to switch to a new site for adult listings, you need to find one that respects adult content and keeps users safe, private, and connected to the right locals. The right Craigslist Personal substitute should offer:
- Simple privacy tools for discreet posting
- No-cost or low-cost listing fees
- A good audience that brings in traffic
- Clear rules about adult content
- Filters to connect you with local users
Now we’ll dive into the top six platforms that check all these boxes and carry on in the space Craigslist once ruled.
1. 2backpage – The Best Craigslist Personal Alternative for 2026
2backpage has stepped up as the smartest, safest way to fill the gap left by Craigslist Personals in 2026. Whether you’re a solo escort, a licensed masseuse, or a companion providing adult engagement, 2backpage delivers a straightforward, effective platform for getting the word out.
So why pick 2backpage? First, the site proudly hosts adult classifieds without the confusing limits and murky rules you find on so many other sites. You can post ads for casual dating, therapeutic massage, private companionship, or any adult service, without the constant worry of surprise removals or a suspended account.
2backpage keeps the design clean and easy to use, drawing on the classic Craigslist look but with modern touches. You can post your ad for free, and low-cost upgrades let you bump your listing to the top, highlight it with bold colors, or add extra images for a pop of attention.
The platform covers dozens of countries and hundreds of local markets, including all major U.S. cities, Canada, Australia, Europe, and parts of Asia. This means you can choose to target a local crowd or reach a wider audience abroad, based on your needs.
Privacy and safety are key. You can stay anonymous, use a secure contact form rather than your personal phone number, and trust 2backpage’s built-in moderation to reduce the number of fake listings and scams. If you want a platform that gives you freedom, good features, and plenty of visitors, 2backpage is the best option if you like Craigslist Personals for adult services.
2. obackpage – A Reliable Place for Adult and Personal Ads
obackpage is fast becoming the go-to choice for adult service providers who want a Craigslist Personals vibe without the hassle. It’s easy to use, offers solid moderation, and is made just for adult services, dating, and personal ads.
One big plus for obackpage is that it welcomes adult content in categories like escorts, quick meetups, massages, fetishes, and companionship. It’s open to all genders and orientations, so everyone feels safe and included.
Unlike other sites that hit you with vague rules, obackpage lays everything out on the table. You know exactly what’s allowed, so you can focus on writing the perfect ad without the worry of it getting flagged.
The site is mobile-friendly and the dashboard is so straightforward that you can post, edit, and manage multiple ads in a few taps. You also get to pick how much personal info you want to show. There are solid options for staying anonymous and controlling who sees your ad.
obackpage hits it big in major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Chicago. It’s also moving fast into Canada, the U.K., and other countries. While it doesn’t yet match the global reach of 2backpage, it’s already a solid backup to Craigslist Personals and a smart choice for boosting your visibility.
3. starbackpage – The Go-To Choice for Luxe Adult Listings
If you’re a provider marketing high-end services, starbackpage is one of the best places to showcase your work. This Craigslist Alternative to Backpage offers a tidy, well-kept environment where serious clients and real providers meet—no junk, no clutter.
starbackpage has a premium feel. The sleek layout, quick loading times, and well-organized listings let you upload sharp, high-resolution images and polished text, so your advertisement stands out the way it should.
One of the biggest advantages is how friendly starbackpage is to search engines. Your listings often show up in Google and other search results, so your audience is much bigger than just the site’s visitors. You can also pay to boost your ad, placing it at the top of the results. This way, it’s the first thing potential clients in your area see whenever they search.
Like Craigslist Personals, starbackpage is sorted by city, so finding local services is a breeze. What makes it different is its stronger user protections and clearer rules, which create a safer, more professional space for everyone. If you value professionalism and want to attract serious, high-quality clients, starbackpage offers a powerful and growing alternative to the old Craigslist Personals.
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4. YesBackpage—A Fresh, User-Friendly Place for Personal and Adult Ads
YesBackpage is a solid pickup for anyone feeling nostalgic for the old Craigslist Personals. Its fresh, easy-to-navigate design feels just right for personal ads, adult services, and no-strings dating.
What sets YesBackpage apart is the freedom it hands you. Craigslist ads could vanish any minute, flagged by unknown users. Here, you write the listing, swap out pics, and hit delete any time you like. The site is fully mobile-responsive, so you can snap a new photo or tweak your message right from your phone. That’s a lifesaver for busy providers and users who live on their devices.
YesBackpage is big in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and it’s picking up steam in other countries, too. As more people search for a stable Craigslist replacement, the user base keeps growing. For a mid-traffic adult-friendly site that’s both forgiving and flexible, YesBackpage is a smart choice.
5. AdultSearch – Made for Verified Escorts and Providers
AdultSearch is a specialized platform compared to others. Whereas Craigslist Personals included general dating and ads, AdultSearch zeroes in on the escort and adult service sector. What gives AdultSearch its edge is the verified profile system, plus client reviews and detailed search tools. You can filter by age, location, specific services, and user ratings, creating a more organized and informative search. While AdultSearch doesn’t have the same casual feel as Craigslist Personals, it brings extra transparency. Providers can establish a reliable profile that attracts serious clients, and users know who they’re contacting is vetted. If you want to build a solid reputation in the adult industry, AdultSearch is worth your time.
6. EroticMonkey – Reputation-Driven Escort Platform
EroticMonkey ditches the old-school classifieds and focuses instead on escort evaluations and reputations. It’s not your run-of-the-mill ad site, yet many escorts turn to it for proving their honesty and winning over new clients. When you visit, you can scroll through reviews, check verified details, and see a provider’s standing before sending a message. For anyone wanting a safer route, EroticMonkey is a smart pit stop. Escorts can display verified profiles, and clients get a quick view of ratings and feedback, making for a calmer experience. Staying adaptable is the real game. Fresh sites always arrive and the old dogs get updates, so watch where people are meeting, offering, and booking next.
Conclusion
Craigslist Personal ads are history, but the desire for adult services, personal encounters, and no-strings fun hasn’t gone anywhere. It just moved to platforms that are quicker, classier, and put privacy first.
If you’re looking for the closest thing to the old Craigslist vibes today, 2backpage is your best bet. It keeps the same straightforward layout you’re used to, but now the crowd is new, polite, and ready to connect.