Get 10 Free Proxies For Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the most popular platforms to buy and sell services in local communities. It works like the Classifieds section of a newspaper but with the convenience of an online marketplace. But, Craigslist has strict rules about how and where users can access their website. Sometimes this might limit what you see or post on Craigslist.
Using a proxy with Craigslist helps improve privacy and bypass location restrictions. It allows you to browse anonymously by keeping your real IP address hidden from Craigslist. A proxy also lets you access location-specific listings, which is useful if you’re looking for deals in different cities or managing multiple posts without getting flagged.
This guide will help you to understand the easiest methods to set up a proxy for Craigslist.
Before starting
To start off you’ll need to get some proxies. Webshare is a great choice as it provides 10 free premium proxies upon sign-up. These free proxies work just like paid ones by making them perfect if you’re just starting out. It’s a simple and risk-free way to test things out.
Sign up and head over to the "Proxy List" tab in your Webshare dashboard. There you can find your proxy details with
- IP address
- Port number
- Username
- Password
You’ll need these details when setting up your proxy.
Easiest method: Craigslist proxy for Chrome
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to use a proxy on Craigslist the easiest method to try out is the Webshare Proxy Extension for Chrome. With this extension, you can manually set up IP addresses and switch locations easily.
Step 1: Install Chrome proxy extension
Open Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Go to the Chrome Web Store.
In the search bar, type Webshare Proxy Extension and hit Enter.
Look for the Webshare Proxy Extension in the results and click "Add to Chrome."
A pop-up will appear asking for confirmation. Click "Add extension" to complete the installation.
Step 2: Open proxy extension
Once it’s installed, you’ll see the Webshare icon in your Chrome extensions toolbar. Click on it to open the extension.
Step 3: Log in to the extension
If you’re already signed into Webshare on your browser then it is not required to log in again. Just click the extension icon and you’ll see a list of available proxies from your account.
Step 4: Connect to the proxy
Pick a proxy server from the list and click "Connect." You can also use the filter proxies option to filter proxies by country or IP.
Once connected, you’ll see a status update with the proxy details. A green dot on the extension icon means it’s active.
Now, all your Craigslist browsing will go through the selected proxy as long as your session is active. To double-check that it’s working, visit Craigslist.org and make sure the site loads properly with the new location.
Craigslist proxy for Windows instructions
If you want to browse Craigslist with a proxy on your Windows computer, you’ll need to set it up in your system settings. Windows gives you two ways to do this.
- Automatic Setup - Windows detects and configures the proxy for you.
- Manual Setup - You enter the proxy details yourself (this is the preferred option).
Step 1: Open Windows proxy settings
Click on the Start Menu and type Proxy Settings in the search bar.
Click on the Proxy Settings option from the search results.
You’ll see two options for setting up a proxy. Out of them you can pick the one you prefer.
- Automatic Proxy Setup - Windows will handle it for you.
- Manual Proxy Setup - You manually enter the proxy details - this is the preferred option.
Step 2: Use Manual Proxy Setup
Turn on "Use a proxy server."
Step 3: Enter proxy details
Type in the proxy server address and port number given by your proxy provider.
If there are websites you want to access without the proxy, add them to the exception list in the designated field.
To allow local network access without using the proxy, check the box for "Don’t use the proxy server for local addresses."
Step 4: Click "Save" to apply the settings.
Click "Save" to confirm your settings.
Now, all your internet traffic, such as Craigslist browsing, will go through the proxy.
Craigslist proxy for Android instructions
Setting up a proxy on your Android device depends on whether you're using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Step 1: Wi-Fi Network proxy
If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network please check the below steps.
Open the Settings app on your Android device. Then, tap Connections to see available Wi-Fi networks.
Step 2: Open Wi-Fi Settings
Tap and press the Wi-Fi network you want to configure.
Select the Settings icon.
Tap View more to expand the down arrow.
Step 3: Configure proxy details
Select Proxy, where you'll see three options.
- None - No proxy is used.
- Manual - Enter proxy details manually.
- Proxy Auto-Config - The system detects settings automatically.
Choose Manual if you have a specific proxy server. This is the most common and easiest setup.
Enter the proxy server address and port number given by your proxy provider.
If you want to bypass the proxy for certain websites, enter them in the Bypass proxy for the field.
Step 4: Save proxy settings
Double-check your details and tap Save to apply the settings.
Now, your Android device will route all traffic through the selected Craigslist proxy whenever you're connected to this Wi-Fi network.
How to test Craigslist proxy?
After setting up a proxy, it’s a good idea to confirm that your internet traffic is actually going through it. Let’s checkout few methods on how we can do this.
1. Check your IP address
- Open a web browser and visit a website like WhatIsMyIP or IP Location.
- The site will display your current IP address and location.
- Compare this with the IP provided by your proxy service.
- If the displayed IP matches your proxy’s IP, your setup is working. If you still see your original IP, the proxy isn’t active.
2. Use Craigslist’s regional listings
- Open Craigslist.org and scroll to the bottom of the homepage.
- Craigslist automatically detects your location and suggests nearby cities.
- If your location matches your proxy’s assigned region, the proxy is working.
3. Run a DNS leak test
- Some proxies only change your IP but fail to hide your DNS requests, revealing your real location.
- To check for leaks, visit a site like DNSLeakTest.com and run the test.
- If the results show your proxy’s country and ISP, everything is working fine.
- If it still displays your original ISP or country, your proxy isn’t fully masking your connection.
Once your proxy is confirmed to be working, try browsing Craigslist. If you still face restrictions, switch to a proxy from a different country or using a rotating proxy for better access.
How to turn off Craigslist proxy?
If you no longer need a proxy while browsing Craigslist, you can disable it by following these steps based on your device.
1: For Chrome (Webshare Proxy Extension)
Click the Webshare Proxy Extension icon in your Chrome toolbar and select "Disconnect".
2: For Windows
Open the Start Menu and type Proxy Settings in the search bar.
Click on Proxy Settings from the search results.
If you were using Automatic Proxy Setup, turn off both the below.
- "Automatically detect settings"
- "Use setup script"
If you were using Manual Proxy Setup, toggle off "Use a proxy server."
3: For Android (Wi-Fi Proxy Settings)
Open the Settings app and go to Wi-Fi.
Press the Wi-Fi network where you configured the proxy.
Tap the Settings icon, then select View more.
Under Proxy, choose "None" to disable it.
Once these steps are completed Craigslist will load with your original IP address.
What is the best proxy to use with Craigslist?
If you're browsing Craigslist for personal use, a static residential proxy is a reliable choice. For tasks like posting ads at scale or scraping listings, a datacenter proxy can efficiently handle the job.
