current search does stuff i never asked for

[lemarcheaupuces]

this is the second time i caught this issue.

was looking for a specific item.

had "bracelet" in my search with categories set on "all".

when it was done the category "automatically" switched from "all" to "bracelet".

today was doing a search for cufflinks & Brand name and again set on "all".

when done the page presented to me had "automatically" switched the category to "cufflinks".

it showed about 800 listings.

when i switched back to "all" the page had well over 1000 listings.

that is well over 200 listings a potential buyer might not see unless he catches the switch ebay has imposed in the search.

i always stand up for Ebay.

but this is completely wrong.

no wonder sellers claim they cannot find their listings.

i wonder how many of my items are not being seen because of this?

when i shop on ebay i expect the default search to be "best match".

i never expected the category to switch on me just like that.

and it is not all the time.

i don't know when/how/why this is happening?

[castlemagicmemories]

Categories do switch automatically.  That started some time ago.

What I have found is that it makes search more difficult and does narrow it down as you say.

For example, I search for Snow White dolls, all categories, it switches the category to Disney.  Now I don't want just Disney dolls, I want all categories, so I have to switch it back.

It's assuming something that is not in my mind, or wanted.

[lookng2015]

Cantseeme has been doing this for a while - switching to the categories for search IT thinks are "relevant".

[coolections]

I think if what you say is true that is GREAT news. 200 less items I do not want to see when doing a search and now I only see what I input. Perfect !!!!

[lookng2015]

If you were never shown them how do you KNOW they're not listings you didn't want to see?

It's more that search is now showing you only what IT thinks you need to see. If you're find with that, good for you.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@lookng2015 wrote:
Cantseeme has been doing this for a while - switching to the categories for search IT thinks are "relevant".

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But the thing is...does the buyer think they are relevant?  Others have complained about it as well.

Cantseeme doesn't know as much as the buyer.