If you have been looking at online classifieds or dating sites for more than a few years, you probably remember when Craigslist personal ads were all the rage. After several issues with sex trafficking, assault, murder, and other problems, Craigslist shut down its personal ads.
It’s important to mention that these personal ads were extremely popular, and millions of people used them to meet people for online dating, hooking up, and for other reasons. Once the site was shut down, there was a hole in the market. A few sites tried to fill in the spot where Craigslist used to be, and one of them, DoubleList, started to stand out from the crowd.
Since it’s like Craigslist, however, many people wonder about this online platform. Is DoubleList safe? Is it better than other hookup sites? Is it safe and secure? Let’s find out.
DoubleList – What is It?
After Craigslist was shut down in 2018, DoubleList was born. It is totally meant for adults looking for casual encounters, and it has many of the same key features that Craigslist’s personal ads had. The site has classified ads in almost 250 major world cities, and there are various categories for all types of dating, kinks, and connections. From unicorns and BDSM to spanking and friends with benefits, you can find a lot of niche categories when exploring DoubleList.
Key Features of DoubleList
If you are comparing DoubleList to other dating sites, you might be disappointed. These are more like old newspaper classified ads than modern dating sites, and you won’t find profile pictures, or anything like that. Instead, it’s simply long lists of posts.
As soon as you sign up, you can start browsing posts in your local area, another area, or by interest. There is really something for everyone here from long term relationships to one night stands and everything in between.
Some posts have photos, some don’t. If you want to reply to a post, you can without having to pay or sign up for a subscription. You need to sign up with an email address, and you need to verify a phone number. Since this site came after all of the safety concerns involving Craigslist, it takes safety measures, like verifying phone numbers, very seriously. These safety protocols don’t reveal your identity, or anything like that — it’s simply to confirm that you are real.
On DoubleList, you can post or reply to posts, and explore connections at your own pace. There are many diverse categories that you can explore, and it’s all in a very user-friendly interface. DoubleList aims to cut down on fake posts, and it relies on user feedback and a reporting system that others can use to report rule breakers.
The site doesn’t have any type of matchmaking algorithm. You need to find like-minded individuals on your own by browsing the user base. DoubleList offers an inclusive space where you can browse ads and try to find local connections, but it doesn’t help you do this. There are ways to find people with similar interests thanks to the many categories the site offers, but at the end of the day, when you click on a category or location, you simply have to read through the ads that are posted to find an ad you want to respond to.
Other Reasons to Join DoubleList
DoubleList’s main feature remains the personal ad structure it has, but there are other things available on the site.
One of the more popular parts of the site is the story section. Here, you can post or read erotic or sexy stories about people who have hooked up on the site or sex stories that are meant to put you in the mood.
Another feature of DoubleList is an AI girlfriend or boyfriend. You can send up to 10 free sexy messages to your AI girlfriend or boyfriend each day, and the conversations are definitely NSFW. I tried it, and the female AI girlfriend almost immediately started talking about role play and BDSM.
You can also take sexy quizzes on the site, read about sexual lingo, and there is a blog where you can ready posts about everything from etiquette in a swinger’s chatroom to the newest date ideas.
Who Can You Meet on DoubleList?
DoubleList is an adult website, and thus, you must be a minimum of 18 years old (or 21, depending on where you live.) The platform encourages open communication, and it’s open to all sexual orientations. According to reviews, most users are in their 30s and 40s, and there are a lot more straight males than any other group.
That being said, the site claims that there are more than 3 million users around the world, so even if you aren’t specifically looking for a straight male, your chances of finding the type of person/relationship you want are good.
How Much Does DoubleList Cost?
If you are like most people who are looking for a dating site, you may immediately wonder how much it’s going to cost. In the case of DoubleList, there is no charge. The platform has not charged members at all since it was created in 2018, and though there are always rumors that it will start charging money to use the site, so far, that hasn’t happened. As you browse, you will notice ads around the site, which is likely how the platform makes money.
Is DoubleList Safe?
DoubleList is both free and safe — as far as online dating sites are concerned. As mentioned, you have to add your phone number when you sign up, and that number will be verified. That’s all the personal info that’s required to sign up. Does that mean it has to necessarily be your personal phone number? No. It just asks for a valid phone number. Because of this, there continues to be a lot of fake profiles, which we will address later in this review.
Fakes aside, when you look at reviews on DoubleList, many users report that their accounts were banned or expelled because the user didn’t follow the code of conduct. If you open a DoubleList account, you must follow the rules. The most common reason users are banned is due to solicitation or escorting, offering massage services, or for abusive content.
For those looking for safety tips when using DoubleList, the best thing we can tell you is to remain vigilant. DoubleList continues to do its best to keep the platform safe, but fakes and scams still get in. So, if you see something suspicious, it’s best to report it.
What Makes DoubleList Different From Other Dating Sites?
There are a number of things that make DoubleList worth it when compared to other dating sites. Just keep in mind that you have to realize that the platform just isn’t the same as sites like Tinder, Adult Friend Finder, or Instabang, which are all popular dating sites.
Here’s what you should know about DoubleList before you start using it:
There are no User Profiles
There are no user profiles on DoubleList. Instead, if you want to chat with someone, you have to connect with them, and tell them who you are. There is no place to create any type of profile or overview of what you are looking for. You must put it in any ad or response.
Your eMail Address is Visible
When direct messaging on DoubleList, your email address is shown to the people you communicate with. Alternatively, you get their email address, too. Some people don’t like this, of course, for security reasons. If it bothers you, do what I did — I used a “junk” email address that I only use to sign up for things I know will bring in a lot of spam.
DoubleList Has Posting Limits
Something that’s surprising to many people is that you can only post two ads each day on DoubleList. Every post can contain up to four photos, but that’s it.
DoubleList Does Not Offer a Mobile App
You can only use DoubleList on a browser. It works best on a laptop or desktop browser, but you can access it on a mobile device, too. Just keep in mind that it’s not a great experience. The site hasn’t seen any major update in about 20 years, so it’s a bit old and dated.
There are No MatchMaking Capabilities
Unlike other dating sites, there are no matchmaking features on DoubleList. Though there is easy navigation and you can meet other people, you aren’t necessarily matched with anyone. Instead, you browse ads and if you see something you like, you simply reply to the ad. Yes, this is a bit old-fashioned, but it makes sense when you consider the type of site DoubleList is.
DoubleList Has Stories and AI Partners
Finally, DoubleList has a few things that are pretty unique on dating sites. These include a place where members can share stories, and a feature that allows you to chat back and forth with AI partners. There is also a very informative blog, there are sex education resources, and even fun quizzes.
What We Like Most About DoubleList
There are definitely things we like about DoubleList when compared to other dating sites. These include:
- Easy to use ad-funded model that is easy to use and navigate
- Anyone can make an account here, and there are many categories to choose from
- There is never any charge to use DoubleList
- You don’t have to offer any private information other than a phone number, which is only used for the verification process
- The site bans or expels those who break the rules.
- Extra features like games, quizzes, sex education, and informative blog posts
What We Don’t Like About DoubleList
Though DoubleList is a good site, and there are many positives about it, it’s also important to consider the following:
- We tried to contact customer support for this review, and we never received an answer
- There are many fake accounts. When we were browsing the site, we definitely stumbled upon some of them and other users report a lot of fake profiles in the community on review sites.
- A lot of the accounts and ads don’t have photos. You are allowed to add photos to the ads you post, at least up to four of them, but most people don’t add photos.
- The website is old and doesn’t work as well as it could
- There is no mobile app, and the mobile site doesn’t work well
Is It Possible to Get a Hook Up from DoubleList?
People can definitely hook up with others on DoubleList. If they didn’t, the site wouldn’t still be around for as long as it has been.
DoubleList is a public place online, and thus, staying safe should be a priority for people. It’s very different from other dating sites, though. There is no matchmaking, no profiles, and most people don’t post photos when they create ads.
All of that being said, overall, if you just want a hookup, and you don’t mind putting a bit of work into it, DoubleList is definitely a good option.
It’s a free site, there is something for everyone here, and you can find exactly what you want if you wait around long enough. You can find everything from women looking for casual encounters to couples ready to swing or join an orgy. There are a lot of kinks out there, and if that’s something you are interested in, I highly suggest DoubleList.
But, once again, nothing in my opinion compares to using the tried and truth Fling app.