Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster made the announcement via the company blog this afternoon. The announcement, for all its civil language, carries with it a nice undertone of resentment, likely because this is clearly a PR decision and not a legal one. Every free speech and Internet law attorney in the world probably buzzed Buckmaster and Craig Newmark’s ears about how none of the state attorneys general hassling them had a shred of legal ground to stand on due to federal law preventing them from taking action against craigslist.

With that in mind, we’re providing both the text of Buckmaster’s post and a translation of what he really meant, as interpreted by yours truly. Just for fun, let’s say I’ve "Biden-ized it." (Note: none of the following is meant in any way to endorse prostitution.)

Striking a New Balance

"As of today for all US craigslist sites, postings to the "erotic services" category will no longer be accepted, and in 7 days the category will be removed."

Translation: We’re tired of being harassed by a gang of politically motivated state attorneys general with no legal basis whatsoever for their demands who are apparently angry we’ve made their job catching prostitutes and johns so much easier by providing a central location from which to entrap them for making unapproved coital transactions. 

"Also effective today for all US sites, a new category entitled "adult services" will be opened for postings by legal adult service providers. Each posting to this new category will be manually reviewed before appearing on the site, to ensure compliance with craigslist posting guidelines and terms of use. New postings will cost $10, but once approved, will be eligible for reposting at $5."

Translation: To make them happy, we’re removing the ability for law enforcement to identify obvious solicitations and setting up a new location where solicitations are appropriately codified in the same manner as is acceptable in newspapers and phone books around the country, including but not limited to phrasing such as “escort” and “sensual massage” while simultaneously raising the cost of entrapment as described above. With incentive and ability to enforce prostitution laws removed from craigslist, we trust all parties will receive their happy endings one way or another.

"Unsurprisingly, but completely contrary to some of the sensationalistic journalism we’ve seen these past few weeks, the record is clear that use of craigslist classifieds is associated with far lower rates of violent crime than print classifieds, let alone rates of violent crime pertaining to American society as a whole."

Translation: Because we’re digital and not operating on dead trees, the Man doesn’t like us and newspapers want us dead, hence all the sexy “craigslist killer” headlines and no mention of how crooks and sickos have been using newspaper classifieds to identify targets for decades. And we obviously resent that, thanks for nothing, you a-holes.

"The relative safety of craigslist compared to print classifieds is likely due to some combination of:

• Measures such as blocking, screening, and telephone verification
• Community moderation via flagging system
• Electronic trail ensures violent criminals are quickly caught
• Personal safety tips prominently posted
• Unusually high level of cooperation with law enforcement "

Translation: We tried to tell them all that, and how none of that stuff is available in newspaper or phonebooks or even in Google search, through which a person, even Wyatt Earp-like governors and politicians, can easily find an “escort” in their area who accepts Visa and Master Card for unapproved coital transactions, and all law enforcement did was plug their ears and go “la la la la not listening.” Even though we gave them unprecedented amounts of data to help law enforcement do its job, we have the sneaking suspicion it’s less about eradicating a problem than it is about ensuring there’s a shadowy, perpetual threat at which they can point and jump up and down and shout “whores!” in order to scare elderly constituents during election years.

"Community moderation as exemplified by our flagging system is arguably the most successful system ever conceived for eliminating inappropriate activity from a massive internet community. Working in tandem with various other protective technologies, it is an inescapable force to be reckoned with for anyone set on abusing free internet communications across a broad array of posting types."

Translation: Can you think of better system for identifying whores than a large mob of unhealthily sex-obsessed humans? What worked in Salem can work at craigslist, right? Just think how efficient bloodthirsty mobs of the past could have been with social networks, come on!   

However, with respect to this new paid category for advertising by legal businesses, we will experiment with some of the methods traditionally employed in paid print classifieds.

Translation: We’ll pay somebody a tiny amount of money to misunderstand orders over the telephone so that the addresses are off by a number and a letter. That way they won’t know where to come kill you and cops won’t know where to raid.

"We’d like to thank everyone who has provided helpful input over the past few weeks, all of which we’ve closely considered:

• Our users, whose suggestions have shaped every aspect of craigslist
• Attorneys General, who have provided valuable constructive criticism
• Law Enforcement officers nationwide, who have been hugely supportive
• Legal businesses concerned at their right to advertise being questioned
• EFF and other legal experts defending free speech and Internet law "

Translation: Attorneys general, when bluffing in large groups, are scarier than you might think and so we ignored everybody else. The most surprising lesson we learned was that most state attorneys general think the “Communications Decency Act” is a traveling gospel group promoting speech etiquette and their own brand of mouth soap. 

We are optimistic that the new balance struck today will be an acceptable compromise from the perspective of these constituencies, and for the diverse US communities that value and rely upon craigslist.

Translations: We hope this makes the bastards happy. If not, we’re out of ideas.

"Note: Our announced intention to contribute 100% of net revenues for the "erotic services" category to charity has been fulfilled, and will continue to be fulfilled, notwithstanding criticism questioning our good faith in this regard. However, in light of today’s changes, and to avoid any future misunderstanding, we are making no representation regarding how revenue from the "adult services" category will be used. Our commitment to philanthropy remains however, and craigslist will continue to develop its charitable initiatives. "

Translation: We’re not giving any more dirty money to clean charities that might actually help the prostitution problem in the long run because now we have to pay a team of people to police listings targeted toward so-called “adults.” Again, we hope you’re happy.  
 

This was a gem of a quote:

“I could make arrests off Craigslist 24 hours a day, but to what end? I’m trying to go up the ladder.”

Tom Dart

So what he’s saying is Craigslist is making it way too easy for him to do his job, and he’d rather catch the really stupid pimps, hookers, and johns (the ones now advertising and utilizing illegal activities on the Internet) himself, on street corners, back alleys, and truck stops, just like the olden days, good, honest days of actual work. Craigslist just takes the fun out of the chase.

When he goes up that ladder he’s talking about though, he’ll likely discover the federal protection Craigslist enjoys under the Communications Decency Act, which shields Internet services from liability for third party content. Being a lawman, Dart probably should have checked on that before calling a press conference.

Craigslist’s FAQ explains why the Erotic Services section is provided:

Q: Why does craigslist have an "erotic services" category?

A: It was established at the request of craigslist users, who were tired of seeing ads for escort services, sensual massage, adult web cams, phone sex, erotic dancing, adult websites, nude housecleaning, etc mixed into the regular personals and services categories.
 

In addition, Craigslist maintains a ban on illegal activity and removes posts when discovered.

Or even know exists.

The online escort/call girl/"model"/prostitute scene isn’t so hard to find, though. Just use Google. If the organic results don’t fit what you’re looking for, AdWords can help, too.

The truth is, investigating this scene is much like investigating the adult entertainment scene. The breadth, depth, and scope of prostitution available via online booking is staggering, indicating that just like the online porn industry, sex trade is not just a huge industry, but one that employs cutting edge marketing techniques, and one that apparently is thriving.

Just Google It

It’s unclear at this point exactly how Governor Spitzer was referred to the Emperor’s Club website. But if he’s a self-starter, he could have used a search engine like Google. A search for [new york call girls] for example brings up a host of relevant organic links, most of which seem to be news article related.

The sponsored links, though, are another story. Sponsored results for these keywords brought back websites like BadGurlModels (screen shots will be provided but no links), HourGirl, and a site advertising "full service" $50 half-hours and $100 hours. Full-service is, according to research, code for you-know-what.

Similar results came back for [full service escorts] and [ny gfe]. "GFE" is another code meaning "girlfriend experience," which means the escort is open to certain things like kissing and other "girlfriend"-type activities. [ny gfe] brought 491,000 results in Google, along with their very own targeted ads.

Not all incarnations of the word "prostitute" work, by the way. A search for "whore," for example, brings back a myriad other results. Apparently the connotation of that word has changed a bit.

An Open Sex Market

It would be impossible to explore every website offering some kind of escort service, and many of them seem to have shut down since the revelation about Governor Eliot, including the Emperor’s Club website he used. But perusing some of them reveals details that would be mundane if talking about any other business.

When people think of prostitution, they generally think of street-walkers with cash-only policies. The 21st Century, though, brings change to the world’s oldest profession, too. Visitations can be booked with cash or credit. There is often a registration process for potential clients, or a requirement that the client participate in a screening process. One escort requested that clients specify ethnicity when booking.

Some have model-recruitment programs, and offer $250 per referral, payable after the "model’s" third successful appointment.

Some offer discounts for daytime appointments. Others have senior citizen discounts.

Though some are pretty up-front about what they offer, the more cautious ones provide a legal disclaimer, that usually is worded something like this:

Payment is for companionship only. Anything outside this is a matter between two or more consenting adults. This is not an offer of prostitution. 

Regardless, that "companionship" and anything a client can talk her into usually has a flat-pricing model, with hourly rates ranging from $150 to $3,600. Just like in the brick-and-mortar world, some places of business are more of the Wal-Mart variety, while others cater to a more, well, selective clientele.

Some of the more expensive ones put some of that money toward very high-tech, 007-type surveillance equipment that allows them to watch whomever might be watching them.

A Virtual Smorgasbord

Governor Spitzer obviously had a certain taste: prostitutes he could take to Washington on important visits that didn’t look like a prostitute and could provide him confidence that she would exercise her right to remain silent. There are more expensive women than $4,300 for two hours, but he is a government employee at the end of the day.

If money is no object, a fat-walleted client can choose from a menu of women on sites similar to the Emperor’s Club, some with the same diamond-rating system. A seven-diamond lady, if paying by credit card, will run about $3,600 per hour. If paying by cash, a client can get a $600 per hour discount. If he wants to weed out the less expensive, less exclusive women, he can run a more specific search for [high class call girls] or [high class escorts] and Google will bring him back what he is looking for, thanks to some good SEO and SEM.

With the Internet, though, choices aren’t limited to the New York area (NYC though is some kind of high-class call girl mecca) or to one type, or even to just two genders. Options are available anywhere one might travel: Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, or Las Vegas. Admittedly, given the legal status of prostitution in Nevada, Las Vegas is a degree less shocking.

Flying to London, France, Italy, Romania, or Czech Republic? No problem. Thailand or the Philippines? The Internet has John covered. 

Approaches are notably different in the southern United States than in New York. Websites devoted to southern escorts appear to be more up-front with what is offered via easily-deciphered code language. Thanks goes out to UrbanDictionary.com for help with the decoding. Many of their websites, though, are no longer online.

Southern escorts don’t have "rates," by the way, but they do accept donations, and are happy to post the types of gifts they enjoy.

One, for example, expressed a liking for World War II memorabilia.

All of these options too Anglo? Again, no problem. There are websites devoted to every ethnicity. One Asian escort website promised "new girls every two weeks" as though they had regular shipments of "product."

Prostitution 2.0

If all of this isn’t surprising enough, some of the thousands of websites are well ahead of the online marketing game and employ just about every avenue at their disposal. The sites are very well designed, some very expensive looking. The more expensive ones employ the right blend of Flash and text.

Many have blogs and interactive calendars. Some are portals. Many are set up like social networks where clients are treated as "friends" who refer other "friends." In fact, many are reference-based only, which makes one wonder if Spitzer was referred by someone, or if his name-recognition got him a free (and perhaps nerve-wracking) pass. Then again, he’s been reportedly participating for ten years, before these sites became so sophisticated. Maybe he was a usenet guy.

One site was set up exactly like a traditional dating site, an eHarmony for hookers. It boasted 2,800 direct phone numbers for registered members.

And then there are the niche-industry players, the support-industry. Some websites specialize in escort web-design, and judging by the quality of some of the sites, there’s a decent market for it. Some of these offered free websites for escorts, as though part of an affiliate marketing program.

The websites are heavily SEO’ed to make them appear in the top ten results for certain queries, which makes one wonder how involved the SEO business is with the online escort scene, especially when the branding efforts are sophisticated enough to include paid search result complements.

They also haven’t forgotten to make use of local search engines and mapping services. Just for one example, you can check out prostitute blogger College CallGirl’s guide to New York City sex hotels on GridSkipper.

 What Now?

Well, one thing we know: As long as there are clients willing to pay and entrepreneurs willing to provide, this industry isn’t going away. So the industry itself is probably not in trouble.

Spitzer probably wishes the same could be said for him, since he has resigned. As for orchestrated online marketing campaigns for the sex trade, or activities that could be construed as the sex trade, it is unknowable at this point if a crackdown would be likely, possible, or fruitful.

It could be, maybe, at least temporarily, until they pop up again "under new management." One other thing we know: Other "underground" heavily marketed products, like pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, etc., are not quite so sophisticated or up-to-date in their online campaigns. Some illegal markets are pretty heavily masked and much more clandestine and difficult to find. 

The sites we found, not all of which claim directly to be prostitution sites, are not so careful, and in fact are very much designed for anyone to find them. We found via search. They have put a lot of effort and money into online marketing and seem to have mastered every element from site design, to search marketing, to social media, to vertical search and mapping.

And that’s, well, pretty blatant.