A good search starts with two decisions: where to search, and which term describes what you are looking for as clearly as possible. On suchen.expert, the search scope depends on whether you start the search from the home page or within a type you have already opened. By keeping this distinction in mind, you can use search terms, categories and other filters more effectively.
First decide what you want to find
Before entering anything, take a moment to consider what you are looking for. Is it a lost or found item, an advert in the Marketplace, a service or content from another type? This classification determines whether a broad search from the home page is appropriate or whether you should open a specific type directly.
If you do not yet know which type contains a suitable advert, start on the home page. The global search started there can include content from different types and categories. If you already know which area you want, first open the appropriate type and then search within it.
Take note of the current search scope
On a search or results page, the search covers only the type that is currently open. For example, if you are in the ‘Lost’ type, only content from ‘Lost’ is included. Even if you remove a category or another filter, the search remains restricted to this type.
If you want to search a different type, first open that type and enter the search term there again. To search across different types again, return to the home page. You can find a detailed comparison in Global search vs. results search – the difference explained simply.
Start with a clear search term
Start with the term that best describes the item, service or subject you are looking for. A specific term is usually more helpful than a long sentence. You can add further details if the first term produces too many results.
One useful sequence is:
- Start with the most important term, such as ‘key’, ‘bicycle’ or ‘moving assistance’.
- Add only details that genuinely distinguish what you are looking for, such as the brand, model, colour or type of service.
- Check the results before adding more words.
- If necessary, try another commonly used term or a simpler spelling.
Very general terms can produce many different results. By contrast, wording that is too long or unusually specific can exclude suitable adverts if their authors used different words. You can find further guidance on wording in Using search terms effectively – get better results on Suchen Expert.
Use categories and other filters step by step
A category narrows the results within the type that is currently open. You should therefore choose a category only after opening the correct type. Other available filters can refine the results further. It is best to apply only one additional restriction at a time and then check how the results change.
If no suitable results appear, first remove the restriction you applied most recently or choose a broader or more suitable category. Removing a category broadens the search only within the current type. It does not turn a results search into a global search.
The article Improve search results: Selecting the right type and category explains in more detail how to coordinate the type and category.
Example: searching for a lost key
If you have lost a key, it may be useful to search in the ‘Found’ type because someone may have posted the item there as found. Open ‘Found’ and first search for ‘key’. If necessary, then narrow the results using a suitable category and other distinctive details.
Conversely, if you have found a key and are looking for a matching lost-item report, open ‘Lost’ and run the search there again. Because each results search considers only the type that is currently open, you must open and search different types separately. A search from the home page is suitable if you want a broader overview first.
Example: finding an advert in the Marketplace
If you are looking for a particular product, first open ‘Marketplace’ and enter a clear product name. For ‘BMW’, for example, adding the model or model range can help if too many different results appear. A suitable category can narrow the selection further. The search always remains restricted to the Marketplace.
If no suitable results appear
Follow these steps in order:
- Check whether you are searching in the correct type.
- Remove a category that may be too narrow or the filter you applied most recently.
- Shorten the search term to the most important term.
- Check the spelling and, if necessary, try a common alternative term.
- Start a global search from the home page if you are unsure which type is appropriate.
These steps change the search scope in a way that is easy to follow. However, whether a suitable result is available depends on the content currently published and the information in the adverts.
