You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:
...
u) use automated means, including spiders, robots, crawlers, data mining tools, or the like to download data from the Service - unless expressly permitted by craigslist;
I am wondering if you already have permission from craigslist?
I make a point of flagging the various companies that occasionally appear here with scheme for violating craiglist TOS.
In this instance, all the ads that I tried to click-through to had been removed already - which shows one good reason for Craiglist not allowing this stuff.
I have heard -- anecdotally, at least -- that while that TOS exists, CL practically enforces this if you're (a) straining the site and/or (b) using it for commercial purposes that seem to go against the spirit of CL. [Hence, neat things like Padmapper, the author of which is really like the nicest guy based on limited interactions.]
(Disclosures: I read this a few years ago for another project, and I also happen to know one of the developers of this site.)
I usually have half a dozen RSS searches added to my Google reader for items I am keeping an eye out for. Using the advance search operators and RSS feeds, I usually am the first person to reply to ads.
Comments
According to the Craigslist Terms Of Use (http://www.craigslist.org/about/terms.of.use)
7. CONDUCT
You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content: ...
u) use automated means, including spiders, robots, crawlers, data mining tools, or the like to download data from the Service - unless expressly permitted by craigslist;
I am wondering if you already have permission from craigslist?
I make a point of flagging the various companies that occasionally appear here with scheme for violating craiglist TOS.
In this instance, all the ads that I tried to click-through to had been removed already - which shows one good reason for Craiglist not allowing this stuff.
Very true. Carsabi could easily make craigslist look stupid if they don't stay on top of their listings.
[edit: added mention of Padmapper]
I have heard -- anecdotally, at least -- that while that TOS exists, CL practically enforces this if you're (a) straining the site and/or (b) using it for commercial purposes that seem to go against the spirit of CL. [Hence, neat things like Padmapper, the author of which is really like the nicest guy based on limited interactions.]
(Disclosures: I read this a few years ago for another project, and I also happen to know one of the developers of this site.)
picclick.com/Craigslist
They have RSS feeds. This, for instance, is Nissans around NYC:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=nissan&sr...
I usually have half a dozen RSS searches added to my Google reader for items I am keeping an eye out for. Using the advance search operators and RSS feeds, I usually am the first person to reply to ads.
Just because they have RSS feeds, doesn't mean you are allowed to scrape them. RSS feeds have plenty of legitimate consumer purposes.
What he said.