CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING - By: Meghnath Kumar

Classified advertising has been around been around for a very long time. Classified is a form of advertising which is particularly common in newspapers, online and other periodicals. Its an excellent way to advertise your product, brand or merchandise.
It is believed that handwritten notices were posted in public places in the 15th century by being fastened to posts and walls with nails. In the mid 1600s it was not uncommon to see want ads asking for information on lost property.
During the early 1800s, classified ads concerning the return of slaves who had escaped would be published. These ads were often very detailed in giving instructions on what was to be done if an escaped slave were captured. It would give the reward amount that would be paid, with a bonus offered if punishment by lashing was inflicted.
The history of classified advertising cannot be discussed without mentioning the "personals" advertisements. Contrary to what may be thought, these particular forms of advertisement had existed since the late 17th century; however, it was not until 1915, that a magazine devoted strictly to those seeking marriage and companionship was published. Public opinion of such a publication was so shocking that the magazine was closed in 1921, and its publisher was sentenced to two years hard labor for the crime of "corrupting public morals".
Part of the controversy stemmed from the fact that some female advertisements seemed to suggest a professional basis was the reason for the lady’s search, while another part dealt with the possibility that there was reason to suspect that "same sex" advertising (specifically, man to man) was occurring during a time when it was illegal to engage in homosexual acts.
Advertising appearing in newspapers (although some magazines now also feature classified advertisements) that is arranged according to specific categories or classifications. The text of the advertisements is set in the same size and style of type and the ads are usually without illustration. The three major headings are Employment, Real Estate, and Automotive, although there are many additional categories (e.g., Business Opportunities, Lost and Found, Pets, Personals, and Legal Notices).
Classified advertising can be a very powerful marketing tool if you understand how to use it. Posting classified ads online is very cost effective. Many ones are able to even let you post your ads for free. Online classified ads are indexed by searching engines and demonstrate up on such a searching results page.
“Classifieds” no longer means anything, if it ever did, to consumers. There are the categories: jobs, cars, homes, dating, pets, etc. And there are buyers and sellers and ads for items like bikes and drum sets and cars and apartments. In focus groups the abstract category “classifieds” didn’t really have any meaning for people.
Nowadays, nobody pays attention to classifieds. In the old days classifieds were used a lot but nowadays nobody uses it. In the past everyone used to look for classifieds advertisements but nowadays no one goes around looking for classifieds advertisements.

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