Can't find what I want to buy. Search engine seems to be off

[tdebuys]

 I do a search for " EAPG CUT LOG TANKARD PITCHER "   And nothing shows up in the search but like 40 or so items down in the results matching fewer words we find item number 254777622087 is clearly marked "Ethol Cut Log Tankard Pitcher us glass pattern"   Surely Cut Log Tankard Pitcher should have gotten it found or nearer the top of the list.  There is another Cut Log Tankard Pitcher that isn't even marked as a pitcher that shows up 28 items sooner.  The more times I repeat the search the closer this item shows up towards the top of the list, but after 20 tries it still didn't find it as a primary item.    Not only that but a hundred items or more that aren't cut log items show up all the time.... I don't have much confidence my items will be found when someone searches for them.    MY CONCERN IS HOW TO LIST MY EAPG ITEMS SO THEY CAN BE FOUND BECAUSE PATTERN NAMES ARE HOW PEOPLE SEARCH FOR THEM.

[mr_lincoln]

@tdebuys  I do a lot of Sold search research to see where items are valued ... sometimes ONE word dominates the search results but what I get back is NOT what I am looking for.  In your example I would drop the word "Pitcher" and see what happens ... or maybe just try Eapg Tankard ... just thinking out loud.

Mr. L

[babclassics]

@tdebuys  I took a look at some of your listings with EAPG in the title and do see what you mean about search results.  One thing I noticed that should help is to improve the item specifics in your listings.  They may have been lost when the new categories rolled out last fall, many of mine were lost or migrated incorrectly.   Not seeing many of those filled in, could be wrong but listings as shown on ebay.com Pc screen are not showing any or just a couple specifics except what is in you verbal description, which is less used by the search than specifics.

Suggest you add at least one item recommended item specific of EAPG.  The search uses those keywords to give better matches.  Try adding it to a few of your listings,  wait a bit for it to get re-indexed,  and then search again.  Maybe it will help.

[slippinjimmy]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@tdebuys  I do a lot of Sold search research to see where items are valued ... sometimes ONE word dominates the search results but what I get back is NOT what I am looking for.  In your example I would drop the word "Pitcher" and see what happens ... or maybe just try Eapg Tankard ... just thinking out loud.

Mr. L

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Agreed.

eBays search is designed to work for the lowest common denominator (average buyers ability to construct a search string).

Since the majority of searches by regular buyers probably use only one or two words the search algorithms are set up to work with that type of search.

Feed in too much information (keywords) and the algorithm has to decide which ones are most important and it's just AI so it may not be very accurate.

Your best bet is to search using just a couple of keywords and then refine the search using the Item Specifics choices on the left side.

"EAPG Tankard" gives me very good results

It doesn't show the OP's listing because they only have "APB" not "EAPG"

[greatstuff80 · Accepted solution]

"eBay's search has all sorts of quirks and peculiarities that can make it difficult to use at times,"

A great deal of the time would  be more accurate. I have more luck finding items I want on ebay by using google search. This is driving buyers and sellers alike elsewhere. Few people like spending excess time trying every possible search combo.

[tdebuys]

EAPG Tankard Gives you very good results... UNLESS you are looking for a specific pattern.  I don't want to have to wade through 200 listings to find what should come up on a search that includes the pattern of EAPG tankard I am trying to buy.  Just saying.  YOU are 100% right but it don't work for me... off to hunt elsewhere.  thanks.

[eburtonlab]

EAPG Tankard Gives you very good results... UNLESS you are looking for a specific pattern. I don't want to have to wade through 200 listings to find what should come up on a search that includes the pattern of EAPG tankard I am trying to buy.

If you are looking for a specific pattern, include the pattern name as a keyword. If the pattern name is distinct enough, you may be able to drop the EAPG entirely; otherwise leave it if that helps to eliminate unwanted results.

If you are finding yourself having to "wade through" excess results, you have not specified your search narrowly enough. A little time spent adding keywords and changing the category or filter options can save you a lot of time "wading".

[tdebuys]

Hey I didn't come here to play find the item.. I came to buy an item and it can't be found without work that I have no interest in spending.

[tdebuys]

gee excuse me.

[tdebuys]

So being specific doesn't work?  Is that your message?  really?  sad.

[tdebuys]

what a nasty attitude about selling.  but then it's ebay isn't it?

[johnrj1226]

eBay's search engine  has been a disaster since the switched from Goggle to Cassini  in 2013 or  there about.  When I search for things to buy I use a few  precise words - like make model, color  part number where possible and  may get a few results scattered among  some unrelated items.  I find goggle  searching is mo' betta'.

BTW I find that this Khoros spell check system kinda sucks too and despise any "auto fill" system.  Guess  eBay picked the lowest  bidders

[donsdetour]

Well at least you came to the boards to talk about this problem: most users are just plain going elsewhere to purchase these days because of the messed up search that eBay says is not messed up..

Good for business......NOT.

[rond2]

I agree totally with the conclusion that the search function is totally messed up.  In the past I have purchased a LOT of antique and vintage auto parts by browsing on EBAY.  With the numerous changes the the search function and the ill advised wholesale elimination of categories my ability to find (and buy) those same parts has virtually dried up.  Oh, well, it was good while it lasted....