• On GameSpot: The All-Time Greatest Game Hero revealed
March 20, 2009 4:15 PM PDT

Craigslist bests MySpace as top search term

by Greg Sandoval
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 10 comments

People apparently turn to Craigslist in a down economy.

(Credit: Hitwise)

Craigslist overtook MySpace as the most searched-for term on the Web last week, according to traffic-tracking firm Hitwise.

"U.S. searches on the term 'Craigslist' have increased 105 percent for the week ending March 14, 2009, compared with the same week last year," Hitwise reported. MySpace has been the top term since March 11, 2006.

This was the first time in three years that searches for Craigslist topped MySpace, Hitwise said.

The research group suggested more consumers are logging on at Craigslist, the Web's largest classifieds publication, as the ailing economy prods them to look for bargains.

Craigslist spokeswoman Susan MacTavish Best said the privately held company, headquartered in San Francisco, has seen a sharp uptick in business.

Over the past year, bartering on the site is up 100 percent while roommate ads have jumped 65 percent, she said. Classified ads for garage sales have doubled and For Sale postings are up 75 percent.

Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET.
Recent posts from Digital Media
The browser battles go on and on
Shocker: People complain more online than offline
eBay fined $2.5 million in French perfume case
'Twitter' top word of 2009
Click away: Holiday Web shopping bounces back
Black Friday at Best Buy: What's the big deal?
Handbrake 0.9.4: Your best deal on Black Friday
AT&T gets Luke Wilson to hit Verizon again
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (10 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by terminalblue March 20, 2009 7:01 PM PDT
the economy? maybe all the talk of it being full of ****** last week got it some free attention.
Reply to this comment
by 86lg4b4c March 20, 2009 7:07 PM PDT
craigslist,more like trailor trash,racist,help me and my 10 kids list
Reply to this comment
by codynews March 20, 2009 7:30 PM PDT
Why the hell are people doing SEARCHES for "craigslist', 'myspace', or 'facebook' ? I use all three sites but I've never done a 'search' for them and can't imagine why someone would.
Reply to this comment
by carriedaway March 20, 2009 7:38 PM PDT
Do these stats reflect the use of "Craigslist" and "Myspace" as part of compound search terms (e.g. "craigslist used cars" or "johnny klegg myspace")?

Or, do they indicate use only of those two words, in order to navigate to the Craigslist and MySpace homepages?
Reply to this comment
by soad524 March 20, 2009 8:09 PM PDT
you ight want to edit your title. It should Craigslist beats MySpace instead of Craigslist bests MySpace
Reply to this comment
by Sam Papelbon March 20, 2009 11:36 PM PDT
the difference being...?
by mbenedict March 21, 2009 7:25 AM PDT
Even though they've been trending higher, of course we all know why Craigslist spiked over MySpace last week:

http://qwix.com/3z
Reply to this comment
by DMAN3k March 21, 2009 9:28 AM PDT
Instead of meeting people on myspace, people have turn to craigslist... ROFL.

Prostitutes sure have got it good in this economy!
Reply to this comment
by JCPayne March 22, 2009 8:17 AM PDT
Nah. I bet it is because that sheriff got the media people focused on Craigslist. That is what happens whenever the media puts a website name in the news. Ebay as part shareholder must be thrilled.
Reply to this comment
by geebocom March 22, 2009 10:36 AM PDT
The reason for the lift in craigslist traffic - crooks have come to rely on craigslist to assit them in identifying their next victim!
Reply to this comment
(10 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

S.F. hacker space: Heaven for the DIY set?

The Noisebridge hacker space offers sewing and Mandarin classes, soldering workshops, Internet-controlled front door access, and a server room with no door.
• Photos: Circuits, code, community

The browser battles go on and on

roundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.

About Digital Media

The Web is now the place to go for news and entertainment. Look here for the latest on blogs, music, video, virtual worlds, social networking and more.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Digital Media topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right