Using a suitable search term helps you find adverts on suchen.expert that match what you are looking for more quickly. The key is to choose a term that is easy to understand and likely to appear in the adverts. Start with the most important characteristic and then refine your search step by step.
Start with the most important term
First consider what you are actually looking for: an item, a service, a lost item or another specific offering. Use a common term such as ‘bicycle’, ‘help with moving’ or ‘key’. Search results appear once you have entered at least three letters.
A very general term usually returns more results. A more precise phrase can narrow the selection. For example, you can refine ‘bicycle’ to ‘children’s bicycle’. Add only characteristics that really matter to your search and are likely to be mentioned in the advert.
Use terms that advertisers also use
The search is based on the information in the adverts. That is why an everyday term written out in full often works better than an uncommon abbreviation, an internal technical term or highly personal wording. For example, search for ‘washing machine’ rather than an abbreviation that other users may not recognise.
Similar or thematically related results may also appear. A search for ‘bicycle’ may therefore also show bicycle accessories or repair services. This is not an error: the exact selection depends on how the individual adverts were described.
Narrow down your search when there are too many results
If many irrelevant results appear, add another distinctive characteristic. For example, use ‘20-inch children’s bicycle’ instead of ‘bicycle’. Also check that you have selected the correct type and, if necessary, select a suitable category.
Keep in mind where you started your search: on the home page, you search globally across different types and categories. On a search or results page, the search remains limited to the type currently open. A category narrows the results within that type further.
Broaden your search if there are too few results
If no results or only a few appear, first remove some of the extra terms and try a more general term. Also check the spelling and try a commonly used alternative. You can initially simplify ‘blue 28-inch women’s city bike’ to ‘city bike’ or ‘bicycle’.
Also check the type currently open. If the advert you are looking for belongs to a different type, it cannot appear on the current search page. To search across different types, return to the home page or open the appropriate type directly.
Refine your search term in small steps
The following sequence will help you search:
- Enter a clear term written out in full, with at least three letters.
- Check whether the current type matches what you are looking for.
- If there are many results, select a suitable category or add an important characteristic.
- If there are few results, remove unnecessary additions or try a commonly used alternative term.
- Compare the results and change only one part of the search query at a time. This makes it easier to see which input produces better results.
Search term or advert ID?
A search term is suitable when you want to discover and compare several suitable offers. If you already know the full ID of a particular advert, you can search for it directly instead. The article Efficient searching: using search terms and ID numbers explains the differences and the appropriate approach.
