As error messages go – sorry something went wrong is not the most descriptive or helpful piece of information. However it’s actually linked to a fairly specific cause, it’s just that Craigslist doesn’t really want you to solve it.  It’s deliberately vague as it’s not really a problem at all.

Craigslist is probably the biggest classified directory in the world and many people spend a huge part of their lives using it. It’s not quite as big in the UK but for US citizens for example, it’s the ‘go to’ directory for goods and services. One of it’s biggest advantages is that it is a local directory and you won’t end up buying things from factories in China or half way across the world. For anyone who wants to access a remote market though it’s incredible, opening up sales opportunities in distant countries. I know several software developers who’s biggest markets are on Craigslist, selling their products in places they’ve never even been to.

Sorry Something Went Wrong !

The directory is perfect for anyone who is supplying digital products or services like this as delivery is simple and virtually zero cost. Yet Craigslist does not encourage this ‘global marketplace’ in fact it actively deters these sort of sellers. Which leads us back to the error message – sorry something went wrong and what you can do about it.

What’s the Craigslist Sorry Something Went Wrong Message Mean Then ?

The most common cause of this error is not a problem at all, it involves the Craigslist Servers deliberately blocking the IP address you’re using! The block will have been implemented by the Craigslist security system which has been designed to restrict access in a variety of situations.

Here’s some of the actions which might cause this block –

• Unwanted Behavior (anything which contravenes their ToS)
• Illegal Actions like fraud, adverts for criminal activities etc.
• Placing too many adverts too quickly.
• Placing adverts on directories not local to you.
• Placing the same adverts on different directories
• Overtly Commercial Behavior

Unfortunately for any internet marketer or small business operating online, some of these are essential to reaching these markets using the Craigslist platforms.   However if you do try this, then your IP address is likely to get banned and blocked.  This is where you’ll encounter the ‘sorry something went wrong error’ which is usually accompanied by the HTTP forbidden error 403 . So it’s not really an error but just a warning that your IP address is blocked.  It will be returned after performing some sort of action, for example trying to reply to an advert or placing one of your own.   Any non-passive action will usually result in this error once your IP address has been blocked.

How to use Proxies to Solve these Craigslist Errors

So you might think that if this is actually a physical block against your IP address then there’s nothing to be done.  Fortunately this is very far from the truth, and thousands of people use Craigslist local directories from all over the world.  The trick is to take control of the main identifier on which most of the blocks are instigated – your IP address.

The solution is to use proxies to hide your location.   You can then connect via safe, unblocked addresses in the right locations assigned to the proxy instead.   You’re not unblocking the IP addresses that are blocked merely using others which aren’t.  When you connect via a proxy, then it’s only the proxy address that is visible (as long as it’s set up correctly).

This has huge potential to unlock the incredible potential of Craigslist which is what loads of people do.  However you do have to be careful about which proxies you use – most won’t work.   There’s some very important factors that you need for Craigslist proxies that work properly – 

 Correct location – the IP address much match the location of the directory.  So use a Chicago IP for the Chicago Craigslist directory and so on.

Residential address – there are different classifications of IP address and commercial ones will get blocked by Craigslist. Look for proxies which use residential IP addresses.

Proxies which aren’t blocked – a simple requirement but an essential one!  If an IP address is already blocked it doesn’t matter with who or where it’s registered.

There are a few providers who provide these sort of proxies but be aware that most can’t supply residential addresses, so you need to check carefully.  There’s several listed on this site but one which works particularly well with Craigslist is called Luminati.   It’s one of the very few providers which allows you to select specific city IP addresses from residential ranges.  Most providers simply don’t have those sort of numbers to provide coverage to that level.  They’re not that expensive if you use your proxies properly with the proxy manager.  Ask for help, they’re consultants are excellent and don’t be worried about using them for posting lots on Craigslist, they’re fine with this and can help you.