blog.backpage.com

• The review of all ads and images in the personals and adult sections of the site.
• The implementation of key word searches to quickly identify banned advertisements and inappropriate discussions.
• The significant increase in staff to quickly identify illegal ads.
• The implementation of roadblocks to prevent minors from accessing mature content.
• The implementation of dedicated tools on the site to educate users regarding online safety and security.
• The empowerment of users to report abuse and an expeditious process to handle user complaints.

The safety and security of our community is a top priority for Backpage.com. Backpage.com has just retained Internet safety expert Hemanshu Nigam of SSP Blue to partner with us in implementing a holistic plan centered around preventing criminal activity on our site. We also look forward to continuing our productive dialogue with the Attorneys General and expect to announce some significant changes to our site very soon.

- Steve Suskin, Backpage.com

• • • • • • • • • •

Statement from SSP Blue

We understand the very complex safety, security and privacy challenges that Backpage.com faces and we look forward to identifying ways to protect the vulnerable. Immediately, SSP Blue will take a thoughtful look at the site’s infrastructure to determine where necessary and impactful changes can be made to provide a safer site.

- Hemanshu Nigam, Founder, SSP Blue

Starting June 7th, I’ll be giving away a free Apple iPad (yes, a freggin’ iPad!) to job posters every single month in July, August, September and October. We call it helping “put America back to work” with an iPad Sweepstakes giveaway! Our Job ads are free so there is no purchase necessary. To enter this contest, simply do the following:

• Post a job ad by clicking here
• Once your ad is live, Email [email protected] the link to your job posting(s) to enter.
• We will confirm your entry. Legit postings will be upgraded with free reposts and/or sponsored ads.
• Winners will be contacted by email.
• See contest rules for how to enter the contest without posting a job ad.
• Enter as often as you like.
• See contest rules for more information.

We hope rewarding four users posting legitimate ads in our jobs section helps put some of our other users back to work.  Even though the economy STILL SUCKS, backpage.com has been fortunate to continue to grow.  We’ve been hiring loads more staff members. They answer user emails & phone calls, patrol the site for spam, expand into cities where there is a demand and so on.

Honestly, we know we’re lucky to have such a loyal and dedicated user base.  We review ALL your suggestions to improve the site features, and make ‘em happen when it makes sense for the community. It is because of you that we best our own records for ad postings and traffic month after month after month.

To view the official contest rules, click here.

2010 has gotten off to a great start! We’ve set new records for ad postings and traffic. Alexa seems to be the most reliable and accurate public reporting site recording our increases in traffic.

The bottom line: we continue to deliver more response for your postings each and every week.

Graph representing Backpage's substantial traffic increases courtesy Alexa.com

Due to an overwhelmingly positive response from users about the 2010THANKS promo code, which applies a 10% discount to purchases on backpage.com, we’ve decided to extend it until June 15th! Feel free to use it as often as you like, as many times as you like all Spring!

This promo code will save you money on purchases like ads in paid categories, both local and national Sponsor Ads and our improved Auto Repost upgrade.

The ‘Promotional Code’ field is located at the bottom of Step 1 of the ad posting form. Just type in the 2010THANKS code.

Email me and let me know what you think, and as always, thanks for your continued support!

- Carl