How to build a classifieds app in Bubble

A classifieds app in Bubble is built by creating a Listing data type, a page where users can create listings, a repeating group that displays them, and privacy rules so users can only edit their own content. The core loop is: user logs in → creates a listing → listing is saved in the database → repeating group searches for listings → users can filter or contact the seller. Bubble already gives you user accounts, database, and workflows, so you assemble the app by connecting these pieces.

Core Data Structure

You only need a few data types to start:

• Listing: title (text), description (text), price (number), category (text), images (list of images), owner (User)
• User: default Bubble User type (email, etc.)

In Bubble, you create these in the Data tab → Data types.

Creating Listings

Make a page called new\_listing. Add Input fields for the text/price, a PictureUploader for images, and a button “Create Listing”. The button triggers a workflow: Data → Create a new thing → Listing. Connect each field to the corresponding Input’s value. Set owner = Current User.

Displaying Listings

On the home page, put a Repeating Group with type = Listing and data source = Do a search for Listings. Inside it, show title, price, main image. This automatically updates whenever new listings are created.

• For categories: add a Dropdown with static choices or an Option Set, then filter the RG with Search for Listings with constraint category = Dropdown's value.

Detail Page

Create a page listing with type = Listing. When a user clicks a listing in the RG, navigate to this page and send the current cell’s listing as data. The page will show full details.

Messaging (Simple Version)

Create a Message data type: text (text), listing (Listing), sender (User), receiver (User). On the listing page, add an Input and a “Send message” button. Workflow: Create Message → fill fields → receiver = Listing’s owner.

Privacy Rules

In Privacy tab:

• For Listing: Current User is This Listing’s owner can edit; everyone can view.
• For Message: each message visible to sender or receiver only.

This ensures users can’t edit someone else’s listings.

Optional: Image Compression

// Example POST request in Bubble API Connector to upload image to TinyPNG
POST https://api.tinify.com/shrink
Authorization: Basic YOUR_API_KEY

This helps keep storage low for a classifieds app with many photos.