Craigslist: Now sorting by relevance

[edro]

What the hell Craig?!?!

Why would you start sorting by relevance by default.
Relevant to what?!

Edit:
Found this on their forums:

relevance sort is the default for searches performed directly from the homepage.

chronological sort is the default for searches performed from the search form at the top of a particular category's listing page.

you can always select which sort you want with the buttons on the upper right side of the results

https://forums.craigslist.org/?ID=240260951

 

[dud]

What the hell Craig?!?!

Why would you start sorting by relevance by default.
Relevant to what?!

This may kill CL for me. Haven't found anything "relevant" to buy in about 5 years. Before that it was great ... and my wallet was often empty.

 

[ImpulsE69]

If you miss that it did this, it's a bit confusing at first....but really they have a button right above that says "newest" which solves the problem.

 

[edro]

If you miss that it did this, it's a bit confusing at first....but really they have a button right above that says "newest" which solves the problem.

Yeah, but that takes an extra click. And that's not the point.
The point is, WHY would they assume people want relevance as default?
And how does it determine relevance anyway?

Newest First is the default that EVERYONE on craigslist cares about.
They want the latest postings for the best deals.

 

[Gilligansdingy]

Yeah, but that takes an extra click. And that's not the point.
The point is, WHY would they assume people want relevance as default?
And how does it determine relevance anyway?

Newest First is the default that EVERYONE on craigslist cares about.
They want the latest postings for the best deals.

Amen!

 

[Midwayman]

Its especially fun when there are a million people selling the same thing and you have to play the guess the keyword game to get your listing to the top.

 

[Carson Dyle]

I'm not seeing this at all. Searches and browsing are by default both ordered by 'newest' on my local Craigslist.

 

[Rakehellion]

Yeah, but that takes an extra click. And that's not the point.
The point is, WHY would they assume people want relevance as default?
And how does it determine relevance anyway?

Newest First is the default that EVERYONE on craigslist cares about.
They want the latest postings for the best deals.

It's probably an attempt to filter out spam.

 

[Berliner]

Might also be an attempt to stop frequent relisting.

 

[jimmydon]

Once again Craigslist proves it has no clue and no interest in what it's users like. Relevant to what?

 

[Soundmanred]

I'm not seeing this at all. Searches and browsing are by default both ordered by 'newest' on my local Craigslist.

Same here. Must be a test market situation.

Edit: Looked at the Columbus, Ohio CL and I'm still not seeing any kind of "sort by relevance".

 

[OCGuy]

Hmmm....I was wondering why the transsexual escort ads were suddenly at the top of all my results.....

 

[OCGuy]

Once again Craigslist proves it has no clue and no interest in what it's users like. Relevant to what?

Backpage rep?

 

[Schfifty Five]

eBay does this too where they sort by most relevant instead of time ending soonest.

 

[edro]

See the top right hand side? Relevant is selected by default...
The SECOND listing is from a month ago!

 

[Carson Dyle]

When I go to that exact page on the Columbus site and do the same search, it comes up in 'newest' order for me.

 

[Leros]

Same here. Must be a test market situation.

Edit: Looked at the Columbus, Ohio CL and I'm still not seeing any kind of "sort by relevance".

The test is probably randomized by user, not market. Try clearing your cookies and going back. Depending on what percentage of users they're putting into the test, it might take you several times to get into the test group.

 

[edro]

I go to http://columbus.craigslist.org/ and type "computer" in the search box, then hit enter.
Relevant is selected by default for me.

 

[edro]

Found this on their forums:

relevance sort is the default for searches performed directly from the homepage.

chronological sort is the default for searches performed from the search form at the top of a particular category's listing page.

you can always select which sort you want with the buttons on the upper right side of the results

https://forums.craigslist.org/?ID=240260951

 

[Carson Dyle]

Ah... I've never even noticed, let alone used that search box.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Nah..this has changed recently because I search the same way I always have, and it never used to come up with "relevant" by default.

 

[Leros]

Found this on their forums:

https://forums.craigslist.org/?ID=240260951

Interesting. That seems like a confusing design choice.

I'd say they should either:
1) Default the same everywhere
2) Remember your last setting and use that

 

[Soundmanred]

Hmm, it does it through the search on the main page here too.
I always just browse, so I would have never noticed this.

 

[ghost_willis]

Very pointless, I'm not gonna buy something thats still on craigslist a month later

 

[jacon4]

This "relevant" search CL thingy just started here in Charlotte NC. I post on the skilled trades category and the top dozen or so ads are all resellers, HomeAdvisor being the one doing it here. I asked CL in the help forum if they are selling ad space now as i might be interested but all they do is change the subject and never answer the question.