Online Classifieds Soar in Popularity

On any given day, nearly one in 10 U.S. internet users visits an online classified site, up from just 4% in 2005.

Overall, the number of online adults who have used online classified ads has more than doubled in the past four years, according to a new study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Almost half (49%) of internet users say they have ever used online classified sites, compared with 22% of online adults who had done so in 2005.

The study underscores the growing social role of online classified ads, which are especially popular with young adults. Nearly two-thirds of internet users between the ages of 25 and 34 use online classifieds, along with 57% of users beween 35 and 44.

In the United States, Craigslist is the overwhelming classified traffic leader; Gumtree is popular in the UK.

The full report, which is available for free download, highlights the growing importance of such sites to both potential buyers and sellers, which has had a devastating effect on revenue for traditional print newspapers.