Is the search function messed up? I searched an item 3 times before it showed up!

[krys888]

Curious about the drop in sales, I did several test searches of items I know that others have, as well as items I have, and none showed up in the first two searches, but finally did on the third search. And I used the same exact search terms. Is the ebay algorithm thingy not showing all the available items to buyers? If that is the case, it would certainly explain the significant drop in sales since September (that’s when I also started having gobs of problems with the ipad app update, interestingly). 

[gracieallen01]

It would seem that ebay is forever tinkering with the search function to have it show you what it thinks you REALLY want to see - and what ebay wants to show you.  It isn't set up for the seller to search - but for the buyer.  Perhaps, between the relevancy to the actual search wording and the popularity/worthiness of the seller and other minor details, such as obligations to advertisers and various clients, the reasoning of the TOS statement about 'some items may not show up in any search', is understandable.  As far as the apps, well, it would appear that those have always had problems - some versions more than others.  Prehaps someday they will get it right for all platforms/formats.

[krys888]

And I did my test searches on both my ipad and my friend’s laptop to make sure I was getting a real test... You’d think the high commissions would be enough pay to play, but I guess they want more and more and more and more... and more and more... and more and more... ick.

[dhbookds]

what was the search?

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

eBay is narrowing search categories on searches so you can use the same words in different orders and sometimes it will search all categories and sometimes sneakily narrow it to one. If that cat is not where your item is you lose. 

This smart search is killing the buyer experience and by extension it is limiting sales. They have changed the search to work best for less savvy  buyers who don't shop here often.  It’s terriblefor everyone else.

[guybemis]

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@krys888 wrote:

Curious about the drop in sales, I did several test searches of items I know that others have, as well as items I have, and none showed up in the first two searches, but finally did on the third search. And I used the same exact search terms. Is the ebay algorithm thingy not showing all the available items to buyers? If that is the case, it would certainly explain the significant drop in sales since September (that’s when I also started having gobs of problems with the ipad app update, interestingly). 

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I had one weird search problem. I seached for a product that I had ordered about a year ago. I got zero results, which seemed weird. So I went to my Purchase History, and found the item. I clicked on: This Item Has Been Relisted, and there it was, same seller, same item. Then I went and searched for it again and the item suddenly showed up in the serch results. What the hell? From my experience the seach funtion does seem buggy, but it is not completly as uselss as some prople seem to idicate. Some times you have to be persistant and just keep searching. Maybe add or remove a word from the search.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I don’t think it’s buggy. I think eBay has intentionally changed options to narrow choices for people.

We used to have a popular saying in programming, It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.

[krys888]

Silkstone Barbie The Interview

[krys888]

Problem is most buyers don’t know that and shouldn’t have to do that... Its like the number of clicks thing where the more clicks it takes, the fewer people will go that far.

[krys888]

Like the fly in the soup, ha!

[dhbookds]

I got 10 results, plus associated listings on first try........  I don't know why it would be different than your results.........

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Silkstone+Barbie+The+Interview+&_s...

[gizzme]

I am having the same problem with a new set of Mikasa Cheers Balloon goblets. I searched four times at various times, and my listing does NOT show up. Today, it shows two views. My big question is....if we are paying a subscription fee for a store, and our listings do not show up, what, exactly are we paying for? 

[krys888]

Oh, sorry I should’ve been more specific. I was looking to see if a specific seller’s Interview Silkstone came up. It didn’t the first two times, but did the third time. Yes, the dolls come up, but not all the same ones each time. That’s what I was looking for.

[ersatz_sobriquet]

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@the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth wrote:

I don’t think it’s buggy. I think eBay has intentionally changed options to narrow choices for people.

We used to have a popular saying in programming, It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.

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Yep, and when ebay first started doing this I started making my searches have a boolean neg with some word completely unrelated. search "tablecloth -sneakers" and then I could outwit the category system.

Scored a very rare gorgeous tablecloth with matching napkins for $9.99 opening bid.

[krys888]

Exactly! There’s a similar thread going in the Seller Hub; we’re asking your exact question in that one: What are we paying for?