What are Classified Ads?

     Classified advertising is a form of advertising which is particularly common in newspapers, online and other periodicals. Classified advertising differs from standard advertising or business models in that it allows private individuals (not simply companies or corporate entities) to solicit sales for products and services.

     Classified advertising is usually text-only ad and can consist of as little as the type of item being sold and a telephone number to call for more information. It can also have much more detail, such as name to contact, address to contact or visit, a detailed description of the product or products.

     Classified advertising is called such because it is generally grouped within the publication under headings classifying the product or service being offered. Business opportunities often use classifieds to sell their services and many recruitment companies do so to post available job opportunities.

     In recent years the term "classified advertising" or "classified ads" has expanded from merely the sense of print advertisements in periodicals to internet. Internet classified ads do not typically use per-line pricing models, so they tend to be longer and they are also more readily searchable.

    The online classified advertising sector developed significantly. Classified advertising at some of the larger newspaper chains has dropped 14% to 20% in 2007 while traffic to classified internet sites has grown 23%.