Posted: 04/26/2010 02:12:36 PM PDT
Updated: 04/26/2010 02:28:35 PM PDT

Craiglist kashes in on kink

Web advertising darling Craigslist is looking at an estimated 22-percent revenue jump this year, thanks to its popular but controversial sex advertisements. While this is good for the bottom line, the news is expected to draw more heat from law-enforcement officials who worry the ads are often the tip of an iceberg of illegal activity.

With come-on taglines like "Bored at work - 38,'' the sex ads are a favorite go-to spot for Craigslist users. But while many of the ads are above-board, some actually offer prostitution and sex with young women. According to a new projection, they are expected to bring $36 million this year, which is three times the revenue in last year's projection.

Trying to get Craigslist to clean up its act has frustrated law-enforcement officials for years. Meanwhile, groups working to fight human trafficking maintain the site remains the most popular online place for selling women against their will.

In a recent case, 14 members of the Gambino crime family were arrested on charges of selling sex services of girls ages 15 to 19 on the site.

The revenue projection comes from Advanced Interactive Media Group, which has put together these analyses the past seven years. Observers say AIM offers the most comprehensive financial estimates of the private company. The projection was based on the number of sex ads counted on Craigslist over the month of February and the fees for posting such ads — $10 initially and $5 for repeat postings.

In an e-mail message, Craigslist chief executive James Buckmaster said the company does not discuss its finances. Of the ads, he wrote, "Of the thousands of U.S. venues that carry adult service ads, including venues operated by some of the largest and best known companies in the U.S., Craigslist has done the best and most responsible job of combating child exploitation and human trafficking."

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Anything they try to pin on CL they also have to pin on every free weekly i.e. Guardian and SF Weekly, East Bay Express and even the Advetiser. They're an advertising medium, just like Eros, Lovings and CV have different areas like FBSM, BDSM, photographers, etc.

It's a prickly pear that always cuts the wrong way for LE and DAs but they have to jungle it for the public every time elections role around to look like they're earning their salaries.

CL will point out theat they're doing everything they can and are doanting 100% to charities that fight what they're being accused of promoting via their medium.