Global Online Classified Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2025-2037
Online Classified Market size was valued at USD 180 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 497 billion by the end of 2037, rising at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-2037. In 2025, the industry size of online classified is assessed at USD 195 billion.
The increasing internet and smartphones penetration is a primary driver of the online classified market. This has revolutionized the way people connect, communicate, and transact, especially in emerging markets. As entry-level smartphones become cheaper and data plans more accessible, a broader demographic, including people from rural and underserved areas, is gaining access to online platforms. This digital inclusion extends the potential consumer base for online classifieds, which depend heavily on user-generated listings and peer-to-peer interaction. With improved connectivity, individuals who relied on physical bulletin boards, local newspapers, or word-of-mouth can now post listings, search offers, and communicate with potential buyers in real time. This has been particularly effective in markets where online classifieds serve as a low-barrier entry point for business.
Moreover, smartphones equipped with GPS, cameras, and user-friendly apps allow users to easily take photos of the product, tag locations, and engage in instant messaging, streamlining the entire process of listing and selling. Additionally, push notifications and personalized recommendations improve user engagement, making mobile devices the only source for online classified usage. For instance, as per the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), internet users in India are expected to surpass 900 million by the end of 2025, with over 50% coming from rural areas. This surge has enabled platforms like OLX to penetrate deeper into non-metro markets, where demand for used goods and local services is high.
Online Classified Sector: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Shift toward digital commerce and peer-to-peer transactions: Consumers and small businesses are adopting digital transactions in businesses, from buying and selling second-hand goods to renting property, or offering local services via classified platforms. The rising preference for digital and contactless transactions has increased, especially post-pandemic. Thus, online classified platforms are combining secure payment methods and escrow services to enable safe transactions. According to a report by Meta, over 1 billion people use Facebook Marketplace monthly as of 2023, showcasing the trend of direct consumer interaction.
- Growth in e-commerce and gig economy ecosystems: The rise of e-commerce and the gig economy has transformed into online classifieds, where freelancers, service providers, and small sellers find an accessible marketplace. This also consists of classified ads for jobs, services, and rentals. In Southeast Asia, platforms such as Carousell have expanded beyond second-hand goods into services and jobs. The platform reported over 70 million listings across categories by late 2023, indicating diversification and integration into the gig economy.
- Integration of AI, search filters, and location-based services: The incorporation of AI, intelligent search filters, and location-based services improves user experience by showing more relevant, personalized, and secure interactions. This builds trust and results in increased engagement and conversion rates on these platforms. For instance, Dubizzle in the UAE has integrated AI-driven chatbots and fraud detection tools to streamline the buyer-seller interaction. As a result, user retention has significantly improved, and the platform reported a 15% year-on-year increase in user listings in 2023.
Major Technological Innovations in the Market
The global online classified market is rapidly evolving through five key technologies, i.e., AI, blockchain, mobile-first platforms, predictive analytics, and augmented reality (AR). The table below highlights the current technology trends and their impact on various industries.
|
Trend |
Industry |
Example |
Impact |
|
AI Personalization |
E-commerce |
OLX Group |
27% increased engagement in 2023 |
|
Blockchain Fraud Prevention |
Finance |
Schibsted |
43% fewer scams in 2023 |
|
Automated Moderation |
Real Estate |
Zumper |
52% faster ad approvals in 2024 |
|
Predictive Analytics |
Automotive |
Cars24 |
23% better pricing accuracy in 2024 |
|
Voice Search |
Retail |
Quikr |
31% more mobile searches in 2024 |
AI & ML Trends in the SHM Market in the Global Online Classified Market
The introduction of AI and ML is revolutionizing the online classified market by boosting product development and efficiency. Companies use them to speed up design, lower costs, and offer more personalized experiences. For example, eBay’s AI platform, Krylov, enables faster model training, cutting feature deployment time from months to days and accelerating innovation.
|
Company |
Integration of AI & ML |
Outcome |
|
OLX Group |
AI-driven ad moderation & fraud detection |
Decreased fraudulent listings by 33% in 2023 |
|
Schibsted |
ML-based dynamic pricing for ads |
Rise in ad revenue by 25% in 2022 |
|
Adevinta |
AI-powered image recognition for listings |
Reduced moderation time by 45% in 2023 |
|
Quikr |
Predictive analytics for demand forecasting |
Cut logistics costs by 19% in 2022 |
|
Zumper |
AI-enhanced rental price recommendations |
Enhanced customer conversions by 26% in 2023 |
Challenges
- User trust and platform credibility: One of the key challenges in the online classified market is building and maintaining user trust. Unlike structured e-commerce platforms, online classifieds depend heavily on peer-to-peer interactions, often involving unverified users, informal transactions, and in-person meetings. This creates an increased risk of scams, fake listings, misrepresentation, and safety concerns, which can significantly deter user confidence. For instance, platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and OLX have faced huge complaints of fraudulent activities, prompting them to introduce AI-driven content moderation, user verification tools, and safety guidelines. Despite these efforts, ensuring a secure and trustworthy environment remains a major hurdle, particularly in regions with lower digital literacy or regulatory oversight. Without strong user trust, platform growth, engagement, and retention are difficult to sustain.
Online Classified Market: Key Insights
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
10% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 180 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 497 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Online Classified Segmentation
Real Estate (Residential Listings, Commercial Properties, Rental Listings)
The residential listings segment of online classified market holds a dominant share of 42.1% due to a growing shift toward digital property searches. Homebuyers and renters depend on online platforms for their ease of use, broader access to listings, and instant updates. Expanding urban populations and rising housing demand, particularly in developing regions, are contributing to the surge in listings. Enhanced features like virtual tours, AI-driven recommendations, and location-based searches improve user engagement and decision-making. Moreover, these platforms provide an affordable marketing channel for property owners and agents, speeding up the transition from traditional to digital real estate classifieds.
Automotive (Used Cars, New Cars, Auto Parts & Accessories)
The used cars segment of online classified market is predicted to hold a notable CAGR of 25% in the online classified automotive market. The growth can be attributed to rapidly increasing car prices. With new car prices being high and economic uncertainty affecting purchasing power, many consumers are opting for affordable, pre-owned options. Online classified platforms improve the customer buying experience by providing transparent information, easy cost comparisons, and verified ownership listings. Features such as price calculators, vehicle inspection reports, and financing options increase buyer trust. Moreover, the rising smartphone use and easy internet accessibility in emerging markets is encouraging the shift toward online used car transactions.
Our in-depth analysis of the global online classified market includes the following segments:
|
Real Estate |
|
|
Automotive |
|
|
Jobs |
|
|
Services |
|
Vishnu Nair
Head - Global Business DevelopmentCustomize this report to your requirements — connect with our consultant for personalized insights and options.
Online Classified Industry - Regional Synopsis
Asia Pacific Market Analysis
The online classified market in Asia Pacific is projected to capture a 35% share by 2037, due to rapid digital infrastructure expansion and rising internet penetration across diverse economies such as Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, and the rest of the region. Government-backed investments in ICT are playing a key role, particularly in developing nations where digital adoption is changing business and consumer behavior. The market growth is also driven by increased mobile usage, e-commerce integration, and supportive regulations around data privacy and platform security. Additionally, the region’s urbanization, growing middle class, and youthful demographics are boosting demand for fast, user-friendly online classified solutions.
The online classified market in China is predicted to hold the highest share during the forecast period, owing to strong government backing, a mature e-commerce ecosystem, and a large tech-savvy population. In 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) allocated 8.5% of its ICT budget to support online classified platforms in China, focusing on infrastructure and trust-enabling regulations. Consumers are increasingly using platforms such as 58.com and Ganji for listing everything from housing and jobs to used cars by AI-powered search, verified listings, and in-app payments. Urban migration and the rising demand for second-hand goods among consumers are fueling continuous platform engagement.
North America Market Analysis
The online classified market in North America is anticipated to hold a notable share of 30% through 2037 due to robust government investment and regulatory initiatives, high digital maturity, and widespread use of smartphones. Consumers generally prefer digital platforms for convenience, real-time listings, and localized transactions. Strict regulatory frameworks and consumer protection laws improve trust, pushing individuals to choose online transactions. In 2023, the U.S. allocated almost 12% of its federal budget to ICT with over $65 billion targeted at broadband expansion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, AI-driven personalization and rising demand for second-hand goods in North America are encouraging user engagement across categories, namely real estate, jobs, and used cars.
The U.S. online classified market is rapidly expanding owing to widespread internet access, strong digital infrastructure, and a digitally active population with over 92% of people having internet access as of 2023. Additionally, changes in consumer behavior to digital-first platforms for convenience, swift action, and access to hyperlocal listings drive growth. The strong data privacy regulations enforced by the FTC ensure a secure environment, fostering user trust and repeat activity. Moreover, AI adoption by Craigslist and eBay improves customized services to users and helps to detect fraud, boosting consumer engagement and trust.
Companies Dominating the Online Classified Landscape
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
The global online classified market is competitive and diverse, led by giants like Meta, eBay, and Adevinta leveraging AI and international reach. European and Asian firms are gaining traction through localized strategies and niche categories like real estate and autos. Key players invest in mobile platforms, user verification, and fraud prevention to stand out. Emerging markets such as India, Malaysia, and South Korea are growing fast due to increased digital adoption and rising platform engagement. Given below is a table of the top players in the market with their respective shares.
|
Company Name |
Country |
Estimated Market Share (%) |
|
Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook Marketplace) |
USA |
16% |
|
eBay Inc. |
USA |
12% |
|
Adevinta ASA |
Norway |
9% |
|
OLX Group (Naspers) |
Netherlands |
8% |
|
Craigslist, Inc. |
USA |
9% |
|
REA Group Ltd |
Australia |
6% |
|
Carousell Pte. Ltd |
Singapore |
5% |
|
Quikr India Pvt Ltd |
India |
XX% |
|
Mudah.my Sdn Bhd |
Malaysia |
XX% |
|
Naver Corporation (used via LINE classifieds) |
South Korea |
XX% |
|
LIFULL Co., Ltd. |
Japan |
XX% |
|
ZIGExN Co., Ltd. |
Japan |
XX% |
|
Next Co., Ltd. |
Japan |
3% |
|
Kakaku.com, Inc. |
Japan |
3% |
|
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (Indeed, SUUMO) |
Japan |
2% |
Given below are the areas covered for each company in the online classified market:
Recent Developments
- In April 2025, Meta expanded its collaboration with eBay, allowing selected eBay listings to appear on Facebook Marketplace in the U.S., Germany, and France. This initiative aims to increase visibility for eBay sellers and provide Facebook users with a broader range of listings. The partnership is part of Meta's strategy to enhance its classifieds offerings and comply with regulatory expectations in key markets.
- In April 2025, eBay rolled out a new AI feature that enables automated responses to buyer inquiries. This tool uses information from sellers' listings and order details to provide accurate answers, aiming to improve customer service efficiency. Sellers have the option to enable or disable this feature, which is being gradually introduced across the platform.
Author Credits:
- Report ID: 2337
- Published Date: May 26, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
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