Why is search so shit on the app?

[14down]

If I want to search for certain buzzwords say it's easier for me to exit the app, Google it with the word mumsnet at the end and then click on the results which then directs to the app rather than search on the app.

If I search on the app I'm guaranteed to get posts entirely from 2016 or 2013 from
The chat forum that have been deleted 🤦‍♀️ why?!!

I know how you feel. All search results are in random order. Some you click on and nothing shows up. It's rubbish. I'd rather search google and follow the link back which is terrible but when you're desperate...

I have the same - 2016 results only. It's unusable. Raised it a while ago, no response.

Totally agree. I do the same thing and exit the app if I want to search anything.

Ditto 🙄

The search function is worse than useless! @MNHQ

I find the android app terrible, you bookmark a thread but unless it's in your watdhed list it never bookmarks, you read a thread you've watched and book marked and you can't really read anything before the bookmark because it goes nuts and shows a few responses then gets itself all tangled up in a loop. It's crap. Never had any of these issues on my Apple phone.

And I 100% agree about the search function.

It's not just the app. Even the desktop site. If they can't make a proper search function they should just get rid of it. It's very frustrating

Totally agree that they should just get rid of the function if it's not fit for purpose

@14down

If I want to search for certain buzzwords say it's easier for me to exit the app, Google it with the word mumsnet at the end and then click on the results which then directs to the app rather than search on the app.

If I search on the app I'm guaranteed to get posts entirely from 2016 or 2013 from
The chat forum that have been deleted 🤦‍♀️ why?!!

It's shit on the web page too with the 2016 results and stuff

Hi - thanks for these comments and sorry for any frustration! We're taking a look at this feature so that we can improve it over the coming months.

@soniamumsnet

Hi - thanks for these comments and sorry for any frustration! We're taking a look at this feature so that we can improve it over the coming months.

There was a Beta test last December, and KatieCMumsnet commented in January this year saying there had been improvements due to the feedback. One of the improvements was apparently

Better results - the results should be more recent and relevant

Seems like nothing has actually changed.

Thread here for anyone interested

Beta test search function thread

Also I couldn't find the thread through MN search, like others on the thread have said I had to google to find it.

Yes they do seem to really like 2016, a most recent feature would help.

Hi @AaronPurr just dropping in to say that we're working on app search features. Any feedback on search is appreciated and will be passed on.

@soniamumsnet

Hi *@AaronPurr* just dropping in to say that we're working on app search features. Any feedback on search is appreciated and will be passed on.

You had some really great feedback on the thread I linked to, and on this thread.

I agree and I am sure it's why there are so many duplicate threads, for example, What's the best waterproof coat in S&B.

If you search best waterproof coat you get threads from 2016 in relationships or AIBU.

So being able to search topic and set date parameters would be useful.

Thanks @IamEarthymama

It would be great if you could filter the results by date too so the most recent are at the top. I don’t mind getting results from previous years but would prefer to see the most recent. If I remember correctly I used to be able to do this but not anymore