Where Did Backpage Posters go? Best Backpage Alternatives

I remember when Backpage was everywhere. If you needed to find almost anything—from an apartment to a roomate to... well, other services—Backpage was the go-to spot after Craigslist cleaned up its personal section. Then suddenly in April 2018, it was gone. Poof. The feds swooped in, shut it down, and arrested the people running it.

So what happened next? Where did all those people posting on Backpage go? Whether you're intrested in the legal aspects, the social impact, or just plain curious about what happened to this massive online marketplace, I've done the research to figure it out.

I've been following this story for years now, talking to people who used to rely on the platform and seeing how the internet landscape has changed. It's not a simple answer, and the consequences weren't what many expected.

Let's dive into the complicated aftermath of one of the biggest classified advertising sites getting wiped off the internet almost overnight.

What Was Backpage, Anyway?

For those who don't know (or maybe forgot), Backpage started as the literal back page of alternative weekly newspapers across America. When these publications moved online, Backpage became their digital classified section. After Craigslist shut down its "adult services" section in 2010, Backpage quickly became the dominant player in that space.

At its peak, Backpage operated in 97 countries and was valued at more than $500 million. It wasnt just about adult services—people used it to sell furniture, find apartments, offer legit services, and basicaly anything you might put in a classified ad.

But let's be real. A huge chunk of Backpage's traffic and revenue came from its adult section. And that's ultimatley what led to its downfall.

The Shutdown: What Actually Happened?

In April 2018, the FBI and other federal agencies seized Backpage.com and shut it down. They arrested the founders and several executives on charges related to facilitating prostitution and money laundering. The government claimed Backpage knew its site was used for prostitution and did little to stop it—even editing ads to remove obvious references to illegal activity while still publishing them.

The shutdown was part of a larger government effort that included passing FOSTA-SESTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act). These laws changed Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which previously protected websites from being liable for user content.

Suddenly, website owners could be held legaly responsible if users posted content related to sex work on their platforms. This sent shockwaves through the entire internet.

Where Did the Backpage Community Scatter To?

When Backpage vanished, its users didn't just disappear—they moved. But where? The answer isn't simple because they went everywhere.

1. Similar Classified Sites

The most obvious shift was to other classified-style websites. Some existing sites saw huge traffic increases, while new sites popped up almost overnight trying to capture Backpage's audience.

Sites like:

• Bedpage
• Ebackpage
• Cracker
• CityXGuide (until it was also seized in 2020)
• Skipthegames
• ListCrawler

These sites tried to replicate the Backpage experience, but with more caution around wording and monitoring. Many have come and gone as law enforcement continues to target them.

2. Dating Apps and Social Media

A lot of former Backpage users moved to mainstream platforms, but with coded language. Dating apps experienced an influx of profiles that weren't actually looking for traditional dating. Apps like:

• Tinder
• Bumble
• OkCupid
• Plenty of Fish

The users would create profiles with subtle hints or coded language that would indicate the types of services they provided. This approach was risky though, since these apps would regularly ban accounts they suspected of solicitation.

3. Specialized Forums and Membership Sites

Many users moved to specialized forums that require registration or even paid membership. These sites try to stay under the radar by creating closed communities rather than open classified systems.

These forums are typically more exclusive and carefully moderated to avoid legal issues. They often claim to be for "reviews" or "discussion" rather than advertising.

4. International Platforms

Some former Backpage posters moved to platforms based outside the US where laws might be different. International sites based in countries with different legal approaches to adult content became popular alternatives.

5. Encrypted and Dark Web Services

For those concerned about privacy and avoiding detection, encrypted messaging apps and dark web services became alternatives. These include:

• Telegram groups
• Signal chats
• Dark web marketplaces

These options offer more privacy but much smaller audiences and greater technical barriers to entry.

The Impacts of Backpage's Closure

The shutdown of Backpage had real consequences—some expected, others surprising.

Safety Concerns

Many advocates for sex workers argue that the shutdown actually made things more dangerous, not safer. When services moved to less visible platforms, it became harder for workers to screen clients and share safety information.

I talked to a former Backpage user who told me, "With Backpage, I could check someone out before meeting them. Now everything is rushed and underground. It's defintiely more dangerous."

Research backs this up. A 2019 study found that the shutdown correlated with increased violence against women in some cities, particularly among marginalized communities.

Economic Impact

For many people who relied on Backpage for income—whether in adult services or legitimate business advertising—the shutdown created immediate economic hardship.

Alternative platforms often charged more for advertising or reached smaller audiences. Many people reported significant income drops after the transition.

One small business owner who advertised massage therapy services told me, "I lost about half my clients overnight. The new sites just don't have the same reach, and people don't know where to look anymore."

Law Enforcement Challenges

Ironically, some police departments reported that the shutdown made it harder to investigate actual trafficking cases. When everything was centralized on Backpage, they could monitor activity and identify potential victims more easily.

With users scattered across dozens of platforms—many overseas or on the dark web—investigations became more complex and resource-intensive.

How Different Groups Adapted After Backpage

The impact of Backpage's closure varied widely depending on who you were and how you used the site.

For Service Providers

People offering services (both adult and non-adult) had to quickly adapt their business models:

• Many created their own websites and focused on building direct client relationships
• Some shifted to social media marketing with carefully worded posts
• Others joined agencies that handled marketing and client screening
• Many diversified their income streams through content creation on platforms like OnlyFans

For Customers

People looking for services had to learn new systems:

• Many joined review forums where information is shared about service providers
• Some began relying more on referrals and word-of-mouth
• Others turned to mainstream dating apps and social media, looking for subtle cues

For Legitimate Businesses

Non-adult businesses that used Backpage for affordible advertising had to find new venues:

• Local newspaper classified sections saw some return to their platforms
• Facebook Marketplace and other social selling platforms gained users
• Specialized industry-specific advertising sites grew

The Rise of Alternatives

While no single site has fully replaced Backpage, certain alternatives have emerged as popular options in specific niches.

Dating Sites Turned Covert Marketplaces

This has been one of the most significant shifts. Mainstream dating platforms now host many former Backpage users, though the platforms actively try to identify and remove such accounts.

The approach is subtle—profiles use coded language, euphemisms, and hints rather than explicit offers. This creates a cat-and-mouse game with platform moderators.

Regional Classified Alternatives

In many areas, locally-focused classified sites have popped up to serve specific geographic regions. These smaller sites might fly under the radar of federal authorities longer than national platforms.

Social Media With Private Messaging

Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and other social platforms with private messaging features have become important networking tools. Users create seemingly innocent profiles but connect with interested parties through direct messages.

Subscription Content Platforms

The explosion of sites like OnlyFans, Patreon, and similar platforms has provided a legal alternative for some former Backpage users. These platforms focus on content creation rather than in-person services but have become a significant part of the ecosystem.

Legal Developments Since the Shutdown

The legal landscape has continued to evolve since Backpage's closure:

FOSTA-SESTA Impacts

The laws that helped take down Backpage have had widespread effects across the internet. Many platforms became much more strict about any content that could possibly be related to adult services. Some examples:

• Tumblr banned all adult content in December 2018
• Craigslist removed its entire personals section
• Facebook updated its sexual solicitation policies
• Many hosting providers and payment processors cut ties with adult-oriented businesses

Court Cases and Challenges

Several legal challenges to FOSTA-SESTA have been filed, arguing the laws violate First Amendment rights and actually harm the people they claim to protect. These cases continue to work their way through the courts.

The former Backpage executives' cases have moved slowly through the legal system, with some charges dismissed but others proceeding to trial.

The Future Landscape

What's next for this online ecosystem? Based on current trends, here's what I'm seeing:

Greater Fragmentation

Unlike the days when Backpage dominated the market, we're likely to see continued fragmentation with multiple platforms serving different niches and regions. This makes it harder for both users and law enforcement to navigate the space.

More Sophisticated Technology

Both platforms and users are adopting more sophisticated technology to protect privacy and avoid detection. Expect to see more encryption, more verification systems, and more technical barriers to entry.

Continued Enforcement Actions

Law enforcement continues to target replacement sites. In June 2020, the Department of Justice seized CityXGuide.com and several affiliated websites in an operation similar to the Backpage takedown.

Potential Legal Reform

There's growing recognition that FOSTA-SESTA may have had unintended consequences. Future legislation might try to address these issues while still targeting actual trafficking.

How This Shift Changed Online Advertising Forever

The Backpage shutdown didn't just affect its direct users—it changed online advertising practices across many industries.

More Identity Verification

Many platforms now require more thorough identity verification before allowing users to post ads or content. This reduces anonymity but potentially increases accountability.

Content Moderation Challenges

Websites of all types had to improve their content moderation systems to comply with FOSTA-SESTA. This accelerated the development of AI moderation tools but also created new challenges around false positives and censorship.

Payment Processing Restrictions

Payment processors became much more cautious about which businesses they would work with, affecting even legitimate businesses in adjacent industries like dating apps, massage therapy, and adult entertainment.

How To Navigate Today's Classified Landscape Safely

If you're looking to buy or sell legitimate services online today, the landscape is more complex than in the Backpage era. Here are some tips:

For Service Providers

• Focus on building your own platform and direct client relationships
• Be extremely careful about terms used in advertising
• Understand the terms of service for any platform you use
• Consider joining professional associations that offer marketing support
• Invest in proper business licensing and documentation

For Service Seekers

• Stick to legitimate, legal services
• Be wary of scams, which have increased in the post-Backpage era
• Research platforms thoroughly before providing personal information
• Look for proper business credentials and verification
• Understand that coded language might violate platforms' terms of service

Conclusion

The shutdown of Backpage marked the end of an era for online classifieds. It scattered a massive community across dozens of platforms and fundamentally changed how certain services are advertised online.

While the goal was to fight trafficking and exploitation, the results have been mixed. Many legitimate users were affected, and the problems the shutdown aimed to address have in some ways just moved elsewhere or gone deeper underground.

What's clear is that the internet adapts quickly. When one platform disappears, users find or create alternatives. The game of cat and mouse between authorities and certain online communities continues, with technology evolving on both sides.

The full impact of Backpage's demise is still unfolding. What we do know is that it forever changed the landscape of online advertising and continues to shape conversations about internet freedom, regulation, and responsibility.