What replaced Craigslist Personals? Free alternatives for 2026
When Craigslist shut down its personals section in 2018, millions of people lost the simplest way to say what they were looking for and meet someone local. Here is what happened, and where people post now.
What happened to Craigslist Personals
In March 2018, right after Congress passed FOSTA-SESTA, a federal law aimed at online sex trafficking that made websites legally responsible for some user posts, Craigslist removed its US personals section. Its note at the time said it could not take the risk without jeopardizing its other services. The law was signed in April 2018. Since then, people have spread out across dating apps, community sites and smaller classifieds boards.
Free alternatives, compared
1. Sparks (free, no paid tier)
Free 18+ dating and personal ads. Make a profile, play Smash or Pass, and DMs unlock when you both match. Or post and browse free personal ads by city, which is the closest thing to the old Craigslist format. There is no subscription and no paid tier right now, every ad can be reported, and a human admin moderates. It is new, and launching in Eugene & Springfield, Oregon first, so outside Oregon there may be few people yet.
2. Craigslist Missed Connections (free)
Still around, now under Community. Good for "I saw you at the coffee shop" posts, but not for dating ads.
3. Doublelist (free tier, optional paid plans)
One of the best-known classifieds-style personals sites that grew after 2018. You can post, browse and reply for free with daily limits, and paid subscriptions remove limits.
4. FetLife (free, optional supporter membership)
The largest kink social network. Great for community, groups, events and education. It is built like a social network rather than a classifieds board, and an optional supporter membership funds the site.
5. Reddit personals communities (free)
There are subreddits for local and interest-based personals. Free and often active, but quality and moderation vary a lot from one community to the next.
6. Local events and meetups (free or cheap)
Run clubs, hobby groups, markets and community events. Slower than an ad, but you meet people face to face from the start.
For Eugene & Oregon readers
Sparks is launching in Oregon first. If you are in Lane County, browse free personal ads in Eugene & Springfield, read our honest guide to dating in Eugene, or plan something with our first date ideas.
Safety tips wherever you post
- Meet somewhere public the first time, and tell a friend where you are going.
- Never send money or gift cards to someone you have not met.
- Be wary of anyone who pushes you to another app right away or sends links to "verify" yourself.
- Talk about limits and consent before you meet. More in our safety tips.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced Craigslist Personals?
Nothing replaced it one-for-one. People moved to dating apps, other free personals boards, kink and community sites, Reddit, and local events. The options below are the closest free alternatives.
Why did Craigslist remove personals?
In March 2018, right after Congress passed FOSTA-SESTA, a federal law aimed at online sex trafficking that made websites legally responsible for some user posts, Craigslist shut down its US personals section rather than take on that liability. The law was signed that April.
Does Craigslist still have personals?
No. The US personals section has been gone since 2018. Missed Connections still exists, but it now lives under the Community section.
Is there a free alternative to Craigslist Personals?
Yes. Sparks is free with no paid tier right now and has a personal ads board. Doublelist and FetLife also have free tiers, with optional paid extras.
Facts checked October 2026. Other sites' features and prices change; check their current terms.