Something weird in search. Is it broken?

[glasser]

So, I posted two items this week (not a big-time seller prefer selling fewer higher priced items). In both cases when searching by a critical key word, neither appeared in a sort by newly listed. I often double check once listed just in case there is an error or something and can always find them this way.  I know can be some time lag, although I have never experienced it. Plus, in one of the searches, which I have been doing for over 20 years, it is unusual to have more than 10 new items a day so not like it's a mega category.

And not just me. I had been looking at apiece that was an auction an only been posted for about 10 hours. Forgot to watch it so no problem I'll just go by newly listed.  Didn't appear that way. Was able to eventually find it.

What is going on???

[eburtonlab]

If I wanted and searched for something, I should see the match no matter what category

That may be what you want, but that is not how eBay's search actually works by default. At least, not all the time for every keyword.

For any given search, there are probably some users that will be annoyed by too few results, and some users that will be discouraged by too many results. eBay cannot possibly satisfy everyone with the same default search, so eBay must make trade-offs when deciding how the search behaves.

eBay seems to think that steering some particular keyword searches into specific categories serves to increase total sales overall. Whether you or I approve or not, or wish things were different, eBay has a great deal of search and sales data at its disposal to make such calculations, and some incentive to correct things if sales suffer as a result. That is not to say that every possible search works well or that there are not some unintended or perverse search results -- I can provide some examples if you want.

If you want all literal matches with no substitutions or category changes, try putting one of your search keywords in quotes.

[eburtonlab]

Is that even visible to buyers using a mobile app? when results are from only a certain category?

eBay app users have to use the filter menu to check the category of the search results.

For example, try a search for cash register using the eBay app. In my location I see 4600+ results in the Point of Sale & Money Handling category by default.

If I change to "All categories" I see 15,000+ results.

[ittybitnot]

eBay app users have to use the filter menu to check the category of the search results.

@eburtonlab 

Thank you. 

[collectfest]

Yes, eBays search, at time is absolutely broken. I search how I want; I am the buyer. eBay knows. Not going to give examples over and over again. It IS broken. Acceptance of a problem can lead to fixing it.  

Good luck with your searches, if you cannot find it here, we can learn to find it elsewhere. 

[glasser]

In tried on the app same result new listings not showing.

[glasser]

While this is true only to an extent. When you sort by newly listed, my experience up until today, has always been a pure chronological sort. For collectors this has always been one of the most useful sorts since if you are looking to catch new stuff as it posted this really helps.

[glasser]

OK, but I am talking straight out word search with no category. Categories searches are worthless now, at least in my area, since they are so broad.  Used to be category searches maintained some value. No not at all. No matter the algorithm, if you request newly listed via a keyword you should get a pure return of newly listed. This has worked up until the last few days so something has changed.

[the_fancy_fox]

---

@inhawaii wrote:

Please give us an example of item(s) that are not coming up in a ebay search.

---

We did this already…

When I get back to doing my auto parts next week I’ll post some more.  

[the_fancy_fox]

---

@glasser wrote:

So, I posted two items this week (not a big-time seller prefer selling fewer higher priced items). In both cases when searching by a critical key word, neither appeared in a sort by newly listed. I often double check once listed just in case there is an error or something and can always find them this way.  I know can be some time lag, although I have never experienced it. Plus, in one of the searches, which I have been doing for over 20 years, it is unusual to have more than 10 new items a day so not like it's a mega category.

And not just me. I had been looking at apiece that was an auction an only been posted for about 10 hours. Forgot to watch it so no problem I'll just go by newly listed.  Didn't appear that way. Was able to eventually find it.

What is going on???

---

What I am finding is some categories are more broken than others. Auto parts for example, is pretty bad. 

[glasser]

sheila@ebay nicole@ebay

I thought this only pertained to me when I first posted but others seem to experiencing. Can we find out why newly listed is in fact not showing newly listed. 

[eburtonlab]

When you sort by newly listed, my experience up until today, has always been a pure chronological sort.

Not too long ago eBay changed the way that the "Newly Listed" sort works. Items that are relisted now sort by the original listing date rather than the relist date. Items listed for the first time (or manually relisted so the item gets a new item number) are still sorted by the date listed.

I suspect the change was not something that was entirely planned or intended, as eBay did not bother to explain or announce the change. But when pressed, eBay folks indicate that the sort is currently working as intended, and that users searching do not want to see relisted items at the top of the "Newly Listed" sort.

It would be less confusing if eBay used a different term to describe relists (perhaps "newly relisted" rather than "newly listed") and if eBay offered users the option to sort either by original listing date or relist date.

See here:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Share-eBay-Technical-Issues/Relist-Date-BUG-in-search-results-by-Time-...

[coolections]

@bashort   Typed Eaton 200 amp bypass meter and yours is #4 of 13. Nothing hidden. Good luck !!!

[eburtonlab]

Categories searches are worthless now

Broad categories may be less useful for simply browsing through, but the technique of limiting your keyword search results to one particular category can be an incredibly powerful tool. That is often the difference between searching for a widget and finding actual widgets, as opposed to finding widget parts, widget accessories, widget plans, widget books, or widget pictures. Without being able to limit your results to one particular category you would have a hard time removing all those extraneous items from your search results, as all those listings have widget as a keyword.

Keyword, category, filter options, sort options: all are useful tools, particularly when used in coordination. Using a category along with filter options can accomplish much of what some of the older specific categories accomplished, and in some cases you can accomplish much more.

[inhawaii]

---

@the_fancy_fox wrote:

---

@inhawaii wrote:

Please give us an example of item(s) that are not coming up in a ebay search.

---

We did this already…

When I get back to doing my auto parts next week I’ll post some more.  

---

 You did?  I have yet to see ONE that wasn't searchable.

I'm just asking for one, not a whole list. 

I'll be anxiously awaiting your return.

[pjcdn2005]

@coolections I agree that often when sellers have said their listings are hidden, others on the board have been able to find them.  But it does seem that lately I am seeing more examples of listings that do appear to be missing.  For example, I searched for  @glasser listing ‘Loetz’ (without quotes) and was unable to find it under newly listed or price plus shipping lowest.  Do you see it?