User:Anglombardi/sandbox

A prominent medium in media is classified advertising. Compared to national newspaper advertising, classified advertising generates more money. Classified advertising maintains press freedom by serving as a stable financial force. Classified advertising also receives less criticism than general advertising for various reasons.

In recent years the term "classified advertising" or "classified ads" has expanded from merely the sense of print advertisements in periodicals to include similar types of advertising on computer services, radio, and even television, particularly cable television but occasionally broadcast television as well, with the latter occurring typically very early in the morning hours.

Traditional media, whose survival depends heavily on advertising investments, are steadily declining to interactive advertising channels like the Internet, iDTV, and mobile technology. When advertising sales account for 40% to 70% of a newspaper's revenue, it is seen to be in good financial condition.

Media advertising is under threat from an increasing number of advertising bans. Advertising for goods with a lot of fat, sugar, and salt is prohibited in children's programming, along with tobacco and alcohol (in many countries). New digital technology, however, can give newspapers a variety of new opportunities. Combining a newspaper's print and online versions allows marketers to explore new methods. Newspapers are battling to keep classified ads online, and interactive internet advertising opportunities can counter below-the-line ads' rising popularity.

Craigslist.org was one of the first online classified sites, and has grown to become the largest classified source, in July 2006 Craigslist attracted 13.8 million visitors, up an impressive 99% during that past year alone. We estimate that Craigslist's entry led to $5.0 billion (the year 2000 dollars) in savings to classified-ad buyers during 2000–2007.