Frequently asked questions

Getting Started

Is MaltaList free to use?

Yes. MaltaList is completely free. Browsing, creating an account, and posting ads are all free, with no packages or fees.

Do I need an account to browse listings?

No, you can browse all listings, search, view businesses, and reveal a seller's contact details without signing in (a quick anti-spam check keeps bots away from contact details). You only need an account to post ads or save favourites.

How do I create an account?

Click Sign in in the top right corner and continue with Google, Microsoft, or Facebook. There is no separate sign-up step; your account is created automatically the first time you sign in.

Can I use more than one sign-in method?

Yes. If you sign in with Google today and later sign in with Microsoft or Facebook using the same email, they connect to the same account. You can manage your linked sign-in methods from the Connections tab of My account.

Is there a mobile app?

Yes. MaltaList has native apps for iPhone and Android, so you can browse, search, and post on the go. Grab it from the Get the app page, on the App Store, or on Google Play. Your account and saved items stay in sync across the app and the website.

I have two separate accounts. Can I combine them?

Yes. Open the Connections tab in My account and connect the sign-in method that belongs to your other account. If that method already belongs to a different MaltaList account, we offer to merge the two: all listings, businesses, and saved items move into one account and the other is closed. A merge is permanent, so you confirm it before it runs.

Posting Ads

How do I post my first ad?

After signing in, click Post Ad in the top right corner. The wizard has five steps:

1. Choose a category and subcategory
2. Add the details (title, description, price, location, contact)
3. Fill in any category specifics (this step is skipped when a category has none)
4. Upload photos (up to 18)
5. Review and publish

What happens after I post? Is my ad reviewed?

Every ad is screened automatically the moment you post or edit it, including an AI check of its text and photos against our rules. Most ads go live straight away. Some categories (such as jobs and services) and anything the check flags go into a short moderation queue for a person to review before they appear.

If an ad is held, a moderator reviews it before it appears. If it is rejected, you will see a note on the ad in My account; you can edit it and post again, or contact us at info@maltalist.mt if you think it is a mistake.

How many ads can I post?

You can post up to 10 ads per hour in the same subcategory. There is no daily cap for normal use, so if one subcategory is full you can keep posting in others straight away. If you delete a listing, that slot frees up again immediately.

How long does my ad stay live?

Every listing stays live for 60 days, free of charge. For ads that need review first, the 60 days start when the ad is approved. After that it expires automatically and is hidden from browse and search. You can re-publish it any time.

Can I edit my ad after posting?

Yes. Open the ad from My account, then Listings, and choose Edit. Small changes save right away. If you change the main content (such as the title, description, photos, price, or item details), the edit is re-screened and may be held for review before the new version goes live; your current ad stays up in the meantime.

Can I post an ad under my business?

Yes. If you manage one or more business profiles, the ad wizard's details step shows a Post under your business option where you can select them. The ad then shows your business card, and the ad appears on your business profile along with a page listing everything your business has posted. You can change or remove the link any time by editing the ad.

How do I add good photos?

• Use natural lighting (daylight is best)
• Show your item from multiple angles
• The first photo is the most important, make it eye-catching
• Up to 18 photos per listing
• Supported formats: JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF (up to 10 MB each)

What makes a good description?

• Be specific: size, condition, key features
• Mention what is included in the price
• State if delivery or pickup is available
• Use proper grammar; avoid ALL CAPS
• At least 20 characters, up to 5,000

Managing Listings

What happens when my listing expires?

After its 60-day window, the listing stops showing in browse and search. You will find it under My account, then Listings, marked Ended. You can re-publish it any time.

How do I re-publish an expired ad?

Go to My account, then Listings, and open an ended ad. You have two options:

• Re-publish: one click, same details, a fresh 60-day window
• Edit and re-publish: update the details before going live again

Can I end my listing early?

Yes. Open an active ad in My account, then Listings, and choose End listing. It is marked Ended straight away and is no longer visible to others. You can re-publish it later.

How do I delete a listing permanently?

In My account, then Listings, choose Delete on the listing. This removes the ad and you cannot restore it yourself, so use it only when you are sure. Deleted listings do not count toward your posting limit; the slot frees up immediately.

My listing isn’t showing in search. Why?

Possible reasons:

• The listing is still being indexed; wait a minute or two after publishing
• Your description does not include the search terms being used
• The listing has expired or was ended manually
• The category or subcategory does not match the active search filters
• The ad is still in review and has not gone live yet

Buying & Contacting Sellers

Do I need an account to see a seller’s contact details?

No. Contact details are hidden by default to protect sellers from bots and scrapers, but any visitor can reveal them by tapping Show contact details and passing a quick anti-spam check (this needs the anti-spam cookies accepted, which you can manage under Cookie settings). Search engines and logged-out scrapers never see them.

How do I contact a seller?

Open the listing and click Show contact details. A quick anti-spam check runs (this needs the anti-spam cookies accepted, which you can manage under Cookie settings), then the seller's chosen options appear:

• Phone: tap to call directly
• WhatsApp: opens a chat with the seller
• Email: opens your email app

Can I save listings to view later?

Yes. Open a listing and tap Save to favourites on its detail page. Find everything you saved under My account, then Favourites.

Is it safe to meet sellers in person?

Yes, but always follow these safety tips:

• Meet in public places (cafes, shopping centres, car parks)
• Bring a friend if possible
• Inspect the item before paying
• Never pay a deposit without seeing the item first
• Trust your instincts: if something feels wrong, walk away

Businesses & the Directory

What is the business directory?

The Businesses directory is a searchable list of local businesses across Malta, with their contact details, opening hours, services, photos, and location. You can browse it without signing in. Some entries were added by MaltaList and are waiting to be claimed by their owner.

How do I add my business?

Sign in, go to Businesses, and choose Add a business, then fill in the details with the step-by-step wizard. If you pick your business from Google it usually goes live right away; if we cannot categorise it automatically (or you choose the Other category), it goes to a moderator to review first.

Someone already listed my business. How do I claim it?

Open the business in the directory and choose Claim business. We confirm you are entitled to manage it in one of these ways:

• A one-time code sent to the business's published phone number or email
• A document you upload, or a note for a moderator to review

If the business is already managed by another account, a moderator looks into the request before transferring it. Once approved, you can edit the profile and link your ads to it.

Where do business reviews and ratings come from?

Ratings and reviews on a business profile are pulled from its public Google listing, so they reflect what is already on Google Maps. MaltaList does not host its own reviews, and individual Google reviews cannot be edited or removed here.

Can my ads appear on my business profile?

Yes. When you post or edit an ad you can link it to a business you manage. Linked ads show your business card and appear on the business profile and its listings page.

Account & Profile

How do I change my display name?

Go to My account, then Settings, update your Display name, then save. The new name appears on all your listings and in the header.

How do I sign in? Is there a password?

There is no MaltaList password. You sign in with Google, Microsoft, or Facebook, and your security (password, two-factor, and so on) is handled by that provider. Manage it from your provider's account settings.

How do I manage my linked sign-in methods?

Open the Connections tab in My account to see which providers (Google, Microsoft, Facebook) are linked, link more, or remove ones you no longer use. You always keep at least one sign-in method.

Can I change my email address?

Your email comes from the sign-in provider you use, so it changes when you sign in with a different provider's email. If you need help consolidating accounts, use the merge option in the Connections tab, or contact us at info@maltalist.mt.

Which email do you send notifications to?

By default we use the email from the account you signed up with. If you have connected more than one sign-in method, you can choose which address gets our notifications under My account, then Settings, then How can we contact you. The options are the emails on your connected accounts.

How do I delete my account?

Go to My account, open the Settings tab and, under Delete account, confirm it is you by re-signing in with your provider, then choose Delete my account. Your profile, all listings (active and expired), businesses, and saved items are permanently deleted straight away. This is immediate and cannot be undone.

Safety, Trust & Privacy

How do I avoid scams?

Watch out for these red flags:

• Prices that seem too good to be true
• Sellers who refuse to meet in person
• Requests for advance payment via Western Union or PayPal Friends
• Poorly written descriptions or stolen photos
• Pressure to act immediately or risk losing the deal

Trust your instincts.

How do I report a suspicious listing or business?

On any listing or business page, use the Report link to tell us what is wrong. You can also reach us through the Contact form. Our moderators review every report and take action where needed.

Who can see my phone number?

Your phone number, WhatsApp, and email stay hidden until a visitor taps Show contact details and passes a quick anti-spam check, so search engines and bots that scrape the page never see them. No account is required to reveal them. You also control which contact methods are displayed when posting.

How is my data protected?

• All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
• Sign-in is handled by your provider (Google, Microsoft, or Facebook); we never see or store a password
• We do not sell your personal data to third parties
• Analytics and anti-spam services load only if you accept them, and you can change that any time in Cookie settings
• You can delete your account and your data at any time

For full details see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Why was my listing blocked or held for review?

When you post or edit an ad it is checked automatically against our rules, including an AI check of the text and photos. An ad can be:

• Published right away (most ads)
• Held for review by a moderator (some categories, or anything the check flags)
• Rejected for prohibited items, offensive or misleading content, duplicates, or copyright issues

If an ad is held, a moderator takes a look before it appears. If it is rejected, you will see a note on the ad in My account; you can edit it and post again, or contact us at info@maltalist.mt if you think it is a mistake.