Search functionality question

[fbusoni]

Is it possible that a person's browsing history on eBay -- which is saved on eBay's servers -- can influence and thus skew the results of a new and unique search on the platform?

As you know, you can clear your personal eBay cache here:  https://www.ebay.com/mye/myebay/rvi

Just wondering if anyone has done any experimentation with this... in addition, of course, to clearing the cache on your desktop browser, and / or opening a browser that you never normally use and searching with that browser on eBay -- the latter has, for me, produced outstanding results.   Thanks.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@fbusoni For quite a few years now, ebay has repeatedly said that search results (and things like ebay home page results, etc) can differ between users, based in part on the searcher's personal data. My impression is this "personalization" is based in part on the user's search history but also on what I'll call the user's "file". As I recall, an example ebay has given in the past: If a user has only ever bought items with free shipping, ebay is more likely to show that user items with free shipping. I think ebay has also admitted they use off ebay data as well. 

My best guess is: Yes, clearing cache, including ebay cache, will likely provide different search results , but I think ebay will still use whatever "file" is associated with your ID.  (Of course, there are other factors as well when ebay determines what to show in search, not just the personal data of the searcher)

[toysaver]

There are so many things that influence search.   It's even possible AI has a part and your items are purposely excluded from your searches.  It's usually people searching for their own items that are doing the complaining.  

[siamjane8]

Ebay absolutely uses our search history to tailor new search results.....that is why if you are researching items and then try to find them again the next day- they are gone! ebay wont show them again because it figures that you already viewed it and did not buy it.   Its a pain in the butt- if you see something you may want to buy, you must favorite it or good luck finding it again.

     It used to be worse but if you buy something or even just search allot- your results for a completely different type of item will then be interspersed with the old stuff you searched for ..... its just AI run amuck.   If you always buy items with free shipping..... why should i not be shown items with calculated shipping....i am just missing out on possibly the perfect item that i was looking for!   Especially with vintage or unique items.  

When was ebay on top??- when they just showed everybody what they searched for based on the search words they typed in and the words in the title of the listings.   Search was perfectly relevant then and people could find what they were looking for instead of being force-fed promoted listings and AI garbage

[luckythewinner]

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@fbusoni wrote:

Is it possible that a person's browsing history on eBay -- which is saved on eBay's servers -- can influence and thus skew the results of a new and unique search on the platform?

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eBay already tracks what items you have viewed, so of course it is possible they use that information to influence search results.

[redlinear]

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@fbusoni wrote:

Is it possible that a person's browsing history on eBay -- which is saved on eBay's servers -- can influence and thus skew the results of a new and unique search on the platform?

As you know, you can clear your personal eBay cache here:  https://www.ebay.com/mye/myebay/rvi

Just wondering if anyone has done any experimentation with this... in addition, of course, to clearing the cache on your desktop browser, and / or opening a browser that you never normally use and searching with that browser on eBay -- the latter has, for me, produced outstanding results.   Thanks.

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I don't think so.  We have four PC's, each signed in to a different account.  Search results are a mess on each of them.  But, always seem to be extremely similar/same results when compared.