In a world where tech founders chase billion-dollar valuations, Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, has taken a drastically different approach. He's resisted the allure of vast fortunes and actively rejected them. Why? Because, as he puts it, "you should know when enough is enough."
Craigslist, the minimalist website connecting people for decades, is one of the most visited websites globally. With 250 million monthly users, it's not far behind giants like Amazon. And yet, Craigslist generates less than $1 billion annually. Compare that to platforms charging hefty transaction fees and Craigslist could easily rake in tens of billions. But that's never been Craig's goal.
Don't Miss:
- With 100+ historic trademarks including some of the high grossing characters in history, like Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan, this company is transforming the $2 trillion entertainment market with patented AR, VR, and AI tech. — For a short window, investors are able to claim $2/share ($980 min).
- ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.
By design, the company doesn't make a single cent on most transactions. Instead, the site charges modest fees for job postings and apartment listings in select cities – a choice inspired by users who felt they were getting better value compared to other platforms.
Why Not Redesign?
If you've ever used Craigslist, you've probably noticed it hasn't changed much since the 1990s. No sleek designs or flashy updates – just a simple, functional interface. "People want it simple, fast and effective," Craig said. While designers have pitched modern overhauls, Craig and his team have stuck to the basics.
This approach is intentional. Craigslist hasn't poured money into maximizing user retention or playing the UI game, unlike other tech platforms. "Fancy may not be the answer," Craig pointed out. Instead, the platform prioritizes usability, helping people find jobs, homes and items to buy or sell with minimal fuss.
Turning Down Billions
Over the years, venture capitalists have approached Craig with massive offers, urging him to monetize more aggressively or sell. They saw a gold mine in Craigslist's scale and suggested ads, subscriptions or transaction fees. But Craig wasn't interested.
"I don't need billions," he said. "I've met a bunch of rich people and none of them are all that happy." According to Forbes, Newmark was a billionaire for years before dropping off the list in 2020. “Had I done the usual Silicon Valley thing … I'd be worth $11 billion." Instead, Craig leaned on lessons from his childhood. In Sunday school, he learned to treat people the way he'd want to be treated. To him, it's not altruistic, just basic fairness.
Craig's rejection of billions isn't as much about simplicity as impact. By keeping costs low and the platform accessible, Craigslist has helped millions of people find jobs, homes and opportunities. "In a lot of ways, [Craigslist] is helping people put food on the table," he said.
Trending: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!
The Humble Rise of Craigslist
Craig started Craigslist in 1995 as an email list to share local events. It quickly exceeded his expectations, adding categories like jobs, housing and for-sale items. By 1999, it became a company, but even then, Craig remained humble. He stepped back from management, admitting he wasn't a great boss and instead worked as a customer service rep for 15 years.
People would email him directly at Craig@craigslist.org. "I spent a lot of time doing that kind of thing and got a lot of stuff done." His approach to customer service reflected his broader philosophy: fairness, simplicity and community.
Living Modestly and Giving Back
Today, Craig is retired but busier than ever, focusing on philanthropy. He's donated millions to causes like internet freedom, unbiased journalism and veteran support. He's also been a major donor to Wikipedia, reflecting his commitment to accessible public resources. He’s even pledging $300 million to prevent cybercrimes against the U.S.
"The deal is our country is under attack now," he told Yahoo Finance. "It's not like I'm in the recruiting line after Pearl Harbor because my dad volunteered in the ’40s, but I guess that's what I should be doing."
Despite his wealth, Craig lives modestly. He doesn't own a car, prefers public transportation and avoids unnecessary luxuries.
Read Next:
- If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?
- Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
