about > anonymize

How does it work?

You can choose to anonymize your email address when posting to craigslist.

If you select this option, the posting will display a craigslist email address similar to one of the following, instead of your real email address:

  • job-999999999@craigslist.org (job postings)
  • sale-999999999@craigslist.org (for-sale postings)
  • pers-999999999@craigslist.org (personals postings)
  • anon-handle@craigslist.org (forums)

Craigslist will then relay any messages sent to that address to your real email address. Once your posting expires off the site or is deleted, the anonymized email address no longer relays messages to you.

Why should I choose to anonymize my email address?

  • Avoid revealing your true email address when posting sensitive information
  • Our email message relay service blocks most bulk emailers to reduce the amount of spam sent to you
  • The anonymized email address is no longer active after your posting expires or is deleted from our site, which means you won't get contacted unless your posting is active
  • Your email address is not publically displayed and is not vulnerable to being harvested for use in bulk email distributions (spam)

Still have questions? try our help desk discussion forum or send us a note.