El Universal was founded by Félix Palavicini [es] and Emilio Rabasa in October 1916, in the city of Santiago de Querétaro to cover the end of the Mexican Revolution and the creation of the new Mexican Constitution.

The brand has become widely known in Mexico, and the phrase Aviso Oportuno is sometimes used as a generic term for the classifieds business.

This brand has four sub-sites: Inmuebles, Vehículos, Empleos and Varios (Real Estate, Vehicles, Jobs and Miscellaneous).

News items are open to reader comments through a simple sign-up system which has resulted in many accusations of bias and propaganda.

The system also tends towards anonymity and abuse by having questionable users and operators pass as average readers discrediting political and journalistic adversaries.