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Tech Update: Changes to Search and Categories are Live!
Article Header Image
Story by kfarrell, TechUpdates
Published on May 5, 2008 in Etsy News 		Photo by Mina180

Today, we launched some exciting changes to Etsy's search engine. These changes were requested by the community and we think they help improve the shopping experience on Etsy.

We've separated item search into three new searches: Handmade, Vintage, and Supplies. The default is Handmade, with Vintage and Supplies available in the drop-down. You can also select "All items" to search Handmade, Supplies, and Vintage all at once.

Consequently, it is critical that sellers categorize and tag their items correctly in order to place them within the proper search. Last week, we posted some information that will help you with that process. You can read the initial heads up here  — Tech Updates: Upcoming Changes to Search and Categories — and its companion, follow-up article here —  Upcoming Changes to Search: Your Questions Answered.

Thank you for helping us with these site improvements!  You can also sign up for Etsy News Email Alerts to have breaking news delivered to your inbox.



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18 comments     Login to add your own!
pawandclawdesigns says:

LOVE IT!

great job guys!


5/5/08 at 4:26p.m.
pookeh says:

wahoo! this is most excellent news. and looky, my owl necklace. that was a pleasant surprise, thx. xoxoxo


5/5/08 at 4:37p.m.
pdxbeanies says:

Hooray!


5/5/08 at 4:38p.m.
LapinNoir says:

Thanks guys!


5/5/08 at 4:40p.m.
bunny says:

thank you for all of your hard work!
:D


5/5/08 at 4:41p.m.
sidquilts says:

ALL RIGHT! This is what etsy should be. Thank you.


5/5/08 at 6:36p.m.
SamanthaSprite says:

This is fantastic! It's already easy to search women's dresses, for instance, without having to negotiate around loads of patterns. I'm really pleased with the change.


5/5/08 at 11:36p.m.
birdie1 says:

There seems to be a problem with your server today possibly related to this?? - I keep losing my listings!! Error message says Internal Etsy Server Error.


5/6/08 at 11:37a.m.
Etsy Admin Vanessa says:

If you're getting errors you should let the engineers know in the Bugs Forum! http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?...


5/6/08 at 2:37p.m.
pinkee says:

I believe the new search feature is a good thing;
but I have a few questions.

Search drop-down menu shows:

>Handmade Items: tags, titles (default)
>Handmade Items: tags, titles, descriptions
>Supplies: tags, titles
>Vintage: tags, titles
>All Items: tags, titles
>Sellers: Usernames
>Materials

1. Why isn't there the option to search *descriptions* when looking for Vintage & Supplies?

2. Why isn't there an option for
*All Items: tags, titles, descriptions*?

This narrow search option for Vintage & Supply items means:
sellers of these items need to include all vital search terms in their titles and in the 13 available tags ---
which has the potential to result in ridiculously long listing titles.

When tagged properly & in accordance with the rules of the site, Commercial Supplies are limited to 12 descriptive tags because the first 2 must always be *Supplies* & *Commercial.*

Why the inequity?
(schOOLLOcker)

There are many incorrect tags allowing supplies to be posted in handmade. How will these be handles?


5/7/08 at 7:51p.m.
schOOLLOcker says:

pinkee is referencing this thread with a lot of very thoughtful replies:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php...


5/7/08 at 10:08p.m.
faro says:

I second the posts above from Pinkee and SchoolLocker.

Why the inequity?


5/8/08 at 12:24p.m.
takethetrain says:

Hmm.. with changes like these, I think it is time for Etsy to consider an "Advanced Search" feature!

Then we can make things *far* less confusing by employing this technologically advanced form feature of the future: CHECKBOXES!!!

Seriously, guys... :)


5/10/08 at 11:34a.m.
Etsy Admin Vanessa says:

We do need advanced search!


5/10/08 at 12:48p.m.
takethetrain says:

I hate to say it, but you could actually use Ebay has a source of inspiration for this. The search on their main page is very, very simple, which is what makes it successful!

Even as a quick mod, I'd recommend making "All" the default option, rather than "Handmade." It took me a second to realize I wasn't finding vintage items when I was doing a search yesterday, because I didn't bother to read what was in the dropdown menu. (Before now, I never had to!) (PS: I'm a web developer!)


5/11/08 at 4:40p.m.
ccce says:

An Email communication should have been sent regarding these changes to allow people to comment before the changes were made.

Relying on everyone using the Storque and forums should not have been the way such an important change was implelented.


5/12/08 at 10:46a.m.
Etsy Admin Vanessa says:

We are going to, ccce. We are just trying to time it with some other important news regarding policy, so that we get our important messages consolidated into one important email. We think this will be more effective communication in the end.


5/12/08 at 10:51a.m.
Justpickedvintage says:

Please consider the issues brought up in the aforementioned thread. Vintage and Supply sellers are seeing a noticable drop in views and sales.


5/12/08 at 12:04p.m.
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