Ebay modifies search string "pblag01b" and click "buy it now"/"auction"/etc

[jpctl]

I was looking for a "pblag01b" (a Ryobi Angle Grinder).  I wanted to see "Buy it now" options so selected that filter and there were no results.  I looked up, and my "pblag01b" had a space inserted between the "l" and the "a" and became "pbl ag01b".  I deleted the space and found what I wanted.  Then I clicked "auction" and the same thing happened again.  I tried different variations to see why that was happening and it only happened for that exact combo.  This happened on both Mobile Chrome and Desktop version so it's not a device issue.  Try it yourself.  See what other versions you can get to add that space.  

[eburtonlab]

When I try your initial search, I get results for both terms, with and without the space:

As you indicate, adding a filter option results in the keyword change.

Sometimes eBay will substitute one keyword for another if one is considered more popular than the other. Sometimes the substitution occurs when adding filters or changing pages.

If the substitution causes problems, you can avoid the substitution entirely by enclosing your keyword in quotes, like this:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=%22pblag01b%22&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0

[jpctl]

I'm curious why it modifies that.  A friend posited that Ebay thought "PBL" was a manufacturer and perhaps broke it up.  But when you try any variation (that I've tried) it doesn't do it to anything except that exact string.  So that theory doesn't really hold water.  The varied search results makes sense, but the actual modification of the original search string- I've never seen eBay do this and therefore assume it's a weird code flaw rather than purposeful behavior.  

[jpctl]

PS good trick with search string in quotes, I actually teach that to students in my class.  It makes Google searches much easier- though here again I've never had ebay modify the actual search string so seems like errant behavior.

[eburtonlab]

I've never had ebay modify the actual search string so seems like errant behavior.

Agreed, particularly when the changes occur when navigating between page one and page two of search results, for instance, or when adding a filter option where the change occurs silently with no obvious way to undo it.

There appears to be some unintended interaction between different substitution rules leading to some unwanted substitution behavior.

If you are using a desktop browser, you may want to use the "feedback" link located on the bottom right of the search results page to fill out a form about search issues to provide some details of how the search is failing to eBay page developers. The more folks provide examples of unwanted search behavior, the more likely eBay is to prioritize a fix.