Craigslist began operating in 1995 as an email distribution list created by Craig Newmark in San Francisco.
The list initially shared information about local social events, but it soon expanded into classified advertisements. Its categories included jobs, housing, items for sale, services, and community announcements—areas closely tied to local commerce.
Craigslist became notable for its simple design and limited-fee model. Most listings remained free, although the company later charged for some job and real-estate advertisements in selected markets. This structure helped it compete with newspaper classifieds.
The site is sometimes confused with later online marketplaces such as eBay or Etsy. Craigslist is primarily organized around local listings and direct interaction between users, rather than auctions or a centralized storefront.