- Posts may be under review before going live
- Check if your post was flagged or removed
- Verify you’re looking in the correct category and location
- Clear browser cache and try different devices
- Posts might be temporarily delayed due to system issues
When your Craigslist post doesn’t appear after submission, several factors could be causing the visibility issue. Understanding the posting process and potential problems helps you troubleshoot effectively and get your listing live.
New posts don’t always appear immediately after submission. Craigslist uses both automated and manual review processes for certain types of posts, particularly in paid categories or for first-time users. This review period can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on system load and the nature of your post.
The most common reason for invisible posts is flagging by community members. If your post receives multiple flags shortly after going live, it may be automatically removed from public view. Unfortunately, Craigslist doesn’t send notifications when posts are flagged, so you might not realize your post was removed.
Category and location verification is essential. Double-check that you’re searching in the same category and geographic location where you posted. It’s easy to accidentally post in the wrong section or search in a different area than where your post actually appears.
Browser and device issues can prevent you from seeing your own posts. Clear your browser cache, try using a different browser, or check from a mobile device. Sometimes local caching issues prevent updated content from displaying properly, making it appear as though your post isn’t live when it actually is.
Account verification status can affect post visibility. If your account requires phone verification and you haven’t completed this process, your posts may not appear publicly. Check your email for verification requests and complete any required authentication steps.
System delays occasionally affect post publication. During high-traffic periods or system maintenance, posts might be delayed in appearing. If you’ve confirmed all other factors are correct, waiting a few hours often resolves these temporary delays.
Prohibited content detection can prevent posts from going live. Even if your content seems appropriate, automated systems might flag certain keywords, phrases, or patterns as potentially violating terms of service. Review your post content for any potentially problematic language or descriptions.
Payment issues for paid categories can prevent post publication. If your payment didn’t process correctly for job listings or other paid categories, your post won’t appear until payment is resolved. Check your payment method and confirmation emails.
Duplicate detection systems might hide posts that appear too similar to previous listings. If you’ve posted similar items recently or your new post closely resembles existing content, it might be filtered out as a potential duplicate.
Geographic IP address mismatches can cause posting problems. If you’re posting from a location that doesn’t match your selected Craigslist market, some posts might be filtered or delayed pending review.
Time zone considerations affect posting visibility timing. Posts might appear to be submitted on one date but actually be processed and displayed based on Craigslist’s server time zones, which could affect when and where they appear.
To troubleshoot invisible posts, first verify your posting category and location match where you’re searching. Then clear your browser cache and check from different devices. If the post still doesn’t appear after several hours, consider that it may have been flagged or removed.
Prevention strategies include carefully following all posting guidelines, using clear and appropriate language, posting in correct categories, and avoiding duplicate content. These practices reduce the likelihood of posts being filtered, flagged, or delayed.
If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to repost your listing. Before doing so, review and revise your content to address any potential issues that might have caused the original problem.