- Craigslist has a large audience, with reports of over 50 billion monthly page views and more than 60 million unique monthly users across its local sites.
- ACV Auctions reports that Craigslist has as many as 170 million monthly visitors and ranks as the 71st most visited site in the US.
- This large user base suggests many car listings and potential sales on the platform.
- Craigslist car shoppers have a high conversion rate, reportedly around 10-15%. This indicates that a significant portion of visitors to the car section are serious buyers.
- Car shoppers on Craigslist are often described as being at the “bottom of the sales funnel,” meaning they are ready to buy a vehicle soon
- A 2016 study by LotVantage found that cars listed on Craigslist sold 10 days faster on average than those not listed on the platform.
- Some sellers find a buyer in a week or less, while it can take up to 60 days on average.
- Used car dealers are increasingly using Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to acquire inventory, bypassing traditional auctions with rising fees and competition.
- Craigslist’s visitors are primarily male (64.5%) and older than 24, with the largest age group being 25-34 year olds (24.12%), followed closely by 35-44 year olds (20.45%).
- The platform receives most of its traffic from the US (75.81%), followed by Guam (17.98%), Canada (3.07%), China (0.68%), and the UK (0.28%).Â
Despite the emergence of newer platforms, Craigslist remains a significant marketplace for used car sales, particularly for private sellers and dealerships targeting budget-conscious buyers seeking value in the used car market. With over 170 million monthly visitors, minimal $5 listing fees, and its local focus, the platform continues to attract serious buyers who are often ready to purchase quickly. While challenges persist—including scams, and unqualified leads the pros have proven to outweigh the cons. Craigslist’s massive reach and bottom-of-funnel buyer intent make it an essential channel for moving used inventory, especially for vehicles under $20,000