How to Flag and Delete Craigslist ads by changing your IP

Occasionally, there is the need to "flag and delete" a Craigslist post. Common reasons you may need to resort to this are: Losing the edit/delete link, someone posting your phone number in an ad or creating mischief for you, or concerns about illegal activities in your area.

Flagging and deleting on Craigslist should not be used to "pick on" someone, remove competitor's ads, or for other unethical purposes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• an internet connection

1. 
    
   This is what your screen should look like before you set out to flag Craigslist ads.

   Prepare.
   
   Craiglist now has proxy-server detection measures in place, which complicates things considerably.
   
   Go to http://whatismyipaddress.com/staticpages/index.php/advanced-proxy-test . Note that "Proxy server not detected".
   
   You will want to make a note of your IP, because you will be changing it in the next step.

2. 
    
   Note:

   Change your IP.
   
   Find an anonymous proxy that is undetectable to the test on "whatismyipaddress.com" (it should say "Proxy server not detected." Keep trying proxy services until one passes as "Proxy server not detected"!
   
   I discovered that a few of the servers listed on http://www.myiptest.com/staticpages/index.php/web-proxy-list.html passed this test.
   
   The manual way to change your IP is to reset your modem and router, and clear the cookies in your web-browser, and then check your IP address again to make sure that it has changed. Most of us have dynamic IPs and just unplugging and rebooting will usually change the IP.
   
   When you change your IP, Craigslist cannot tell unless they read your cookies. Remember you do not need an account to flag and it may be wise to flag as a visitor just in case CL watches accounts.

3. 
    
   This is what a successful

   Flag- Happy flagging!
   
   Remember, it takes time to post ads on Craigslist, and that other people may have different opinions than yours. Craigslist has the unique feature of community-moderation, which is a unique privilege. Flag ethically.

Tips & Warnings

• The number of flags needed to remove an ad varies by category, city and the flagging history of the ad itself. Craigslist staff does not talk about what the numbers are.

Resources

• The Unofficial Craigslist Flag FAQ
• Craigslist official flag help
• Craigslist community moderation
• WhatIsMyIPAddress advanced proxy test
• a good list of web-based proxy servers
• My life-stream, including more resources

[cvpjr007]

on 9/18/2009 Proxies no longer work, craigslist has it beat, try this, it is new but has bullet proof potential.
It is called flag that ad.
http://www.flagthatad.com/

[sonni57]

on 4/5/2009 Good instructions on how to delete craig's list ads.

[1InternetSmarty]

on 3/31/2009 Very helpful article. Five stars.

[Mitestarossa]

on 3/30/2009 Great craigslist tips. Thanks.

[tachic]

on 3/30/2009 Good craigslist tips