Should default search order by changed from 'Relevance' to 'Most Recent'?

[mclemore]

Currently the default search order on the forums is set to 'relevance', in which the system attempts to list the most interesting results first.

We are considering changing it to 'most recent'.

Regardless of the default setting, users can always click on 'Search' at the top right of the page, and then 'Advanced Search' and choose to search and sort by 'Most recent', 'Relevance', or 'Word Count'.

BTW: I also just added a Latest Poll widget on the home page/main menu of the forums, in the right hand side, below the latest posts section.

UPDATE: I'M TESTING/WORKING ON POLL FEATURES THIS WEEKEND A BIT. PLEASE VOTE ON THIS POLL, BUT PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO THE THREAD BELOW.

Update: Go ahead and respond here if you want.

 

[rod90]

I always go to advance search anyway. The most recent search or having it chosen by relevance would probably not get me to my desired answer either way.

 

[mclemore]

I've kept the poll open, but did just change the default sort order from 'most relevant' to 'newest'.

As of today,

17 members (22.1%) stated they don't care what the default sort order is
44 members (57.1%) stated they would prefer newest posts on top
16 members (20.8%) stated they like the 'most relevant' system.

 

[jawhn]

IMHO, newest is bestest. "Relevant" has always just been a pipe dream.

 

[r3v]

Will save so many clicks from having to dig down to sort by date. Thanks for this.

 

[Tripredacus]

Let user choose which method to use. By default, set it to recent.

 

[bobbyb13]

Since relevance is inherently subjective (or maybe just difficult to get a system to sort well?) I think default to newest is probably best.
Especially if you can go to "advanced" and change it.

 

[jcar302]

Me personally all i care about for this matter is the for sale section.
That area by default should be by most recent. I look through it to see what things cost and sell for, it's a pain when it's out of order.

 

[greedycrisp]

Would love a user selectable default but it just a few more clicks each time so no biggie

 

[MikeHartman]

Yes, I currently use advanced search just for this reason.

 

[Infa Red]

All in all, IDC. But - For sales, I'd want recent. But for anything else, relevance is more logical, as time has nothing to do with anything when I am searching for information I want. I want the information and I don't care *when* it was said. This is why IMO letting the user choose on the fly is best. "Sort by". Default should be Relevance IMO as it helps in more searches as I pointed out above. Searching in Sales should default to most recent.

 

[LyonsArcade]

Personally I think 'most relevant' is about useless, because you're relying on the software to determine what it thinks is most relevant, which may not be what you think is most relevant. If it just returned them in recent order I think it would be more useful.

 

[ChanceKJ]

the "Search" and "Advanced Search" buttons should also swap places. I can't tell you how many billion times I accidentally click/tap on Advanced by accident because it's naturally more intuitive compared to EVERY OTHER Accept/Reject user interface ever. lol,

 

[ReWrite]

Personally I think 'most relevant' is about useless, because you're relying on the software to determine what it thinks is most relevant, which may not be what you think is most relevant. If it just returned them in recent order I think it would be more useful.

You can change between the two in your preferences.

the "Search" and "Advanced Search" buttons should also swap places. I can't tell you how many billion times I accidentally click/tap on Advanced by accident because it's naturally more intuitive compared to EVERY OTHER Accept/Reject user interface ever. lol,

Oh man, this so many times.