Choosing your area

Underground Aquarium's classifieds are organized by state and then by metro area, the way most local classifieds are. The area you choose decides which area page your ad appears on, so it's what puts your ad in front of people near you.

How do I choose where my ad shows?

The Where are you? box on the post form has three steps:

1. 1 · State: pick your state from the list (alphabetical, starts on "Choose your state…").
2. 2 · Closest metro area: pick the metro area nearest you. This list is locked until you pick a state, and then shows only that state's areas.
3. 3 · Your town, optional: type your town if you like (up to 60 characters).

State and metro area are both required. Your town is not.

When you've picked an area, a green line confirms it, for example: "Your ad will show in Sacramento, California, listed as Roseville."

What are the metro areas?

Each state is split into a set of metro areas, hundreds in total across the country. They're regions around a main city, not individual towns. Some are named after two or three nearby cities joined with a slash (for example "Fresno / Madera"), and a few simply carry the state's name (for example "Maine").

Within each state, areas are listed in a set order chosen by our team, not alphabetically.

To see every area in a state, open Classifieds and tap your state under Pick your state. You'll see that state's list of areas and how many live ads each one has.

What if my town isn't listed?

That's expected. The metro area list is regions, not towns, so most towns aren't in it by name.

1. Pick the metro area that's closest to you, or the one where you'd actually meet buyers.
2. Type your real town in Your town. It shows on your ad, so local buyers can see exactly how close you are.

If you're about the same distance from two areas, pick the bigger one (more buyers browse it) and name your town in the title or description, for example "Pickup in Lincoln".

If your whole region is missing and no area is reasonably close, email support@undergroundaquarium.com and tell us where you are.

What is the "Your town" field for?

Your town is free text. Nobody checks it against a list. It's there so buyers can tell how close you are within a big metro area. It shows:

• On your listing page, before the area name, like "Roseville · Sacramento".
• On listing cards, next to a pin icon.
• In My listings, like "Roseville, Sacramento".
• In search engine titles for your ad, in place of the area name.

Buyers' searches also match words in your town, so someone searching "Roseville" finds your ad. Don't type your street address. A town or neighborhood is plenty.

Is my address shown?

No. The site never asks for your street address. Buyers see only your metro area and, if you filled it in, the town you typed. The form says it plainly: "Your exact address is never shown." Share a meeting spot in messages once you've agreed on a deal. See Safe local pickup.

Does the site remember my area?

Yes, on that device. After you post, the site remembers the state and metro area you used and fills them in the next time you open the post form in the same browser. It doesn't fill in your town. If you post from a different phone or browser, or clear your browser data, you'll choose again.

It never changes an existing ad's area when you edit it.

Where does my ad appear once it's posted?

• On your metro area's page (for example Classifieds › your state › your area).
• In your state's total count on the classifieds home page.
• On the nationwide Every listing page.
• Under "More ... near (your area)" on other listings in your area or category.
• On your public profile's Listings tab.

Buyers can also jump straight to their nearest area with the Near me button on the classifieds pages. See Finding listings near you.

Can I post the same item in more than one area?

Each ad has one area. Your ad already shows nationwide on the Every listing page, so most people only need one ad. If you're genuinely willing to meet in two places, you could post in each area, but mention it clearly so buyers aren't confused.

How do I move my ad to a different area?

1. Open My listings and tap Edit on the ad.
2. Change State and pick a new Closest metro area. Changing the state clears the old area, so you must pick a new one.
3. Update Your town if needed.
4. Tap Save changes.

The ad moves right away. Its expiry date and its web address don't change.

Common problems

The metro area list is greyed out. Pick a State first. The list reads "Choose your state first" until you do.

"Choose the area you're posting in." You picked a state but not a metro area, or changing the state cleared your area. Pick one from Closest metro area.

The form filled in the wrong area. It's the last area you posted in on this device. Change the state or metro area before posting.

My ad doesn't show on my area page. Check that it's active in My listings and hasn't expired. Area pages only show live ads. Also check you picked the area you expected: the area name is shown on your listing page next to the pin.

Buyers say I'm too far away. Add your town, or move the ad to a closer metro area with Edit.