Filters can be used to give a better discovery experience to your users. As your listing offering grows, filters can help users narrow down results and find what they need.
Filters return listings that match the searched-for options. Exact filter behavior depends on the type of information or listing field that the filter is based on.
Filters based on categories
Filters based on categories are enabled in Console > Build > Listings > Listing search.
Filtering by category works differently than filtering by other types of fields. First, since categories are nested, filtering by a top-level category will include all listings belonging to that top-level category and any subcategory or subcategory of the subcategory. On the other hand, filtering by a subcategory of a subcategory only returns listings assigned to it.
In addition, enabling a category filter affects what other filters are available to the user. This is enabled when a listing field (or multiple) is limited to a particular category. Only listing fields limited to a category appear when the filtering by this category. Removing the category filter makes all listing field filters available again.
As an example, imagine a clothing marketplace with categories "Jackets" and "Pants". The "Jackets" category is limited to a size listing field with options S, M, L, XL, and XXL. "Pants" category is limited to length listing field instead with options like 28”, 29”, 30”, 31”, and 32”. Filtering by "Jacket" means that options to filter by length, which are limited to the "Pants" category, disappear.
Finally, category filters always appear first on the search page. The exact location of the filter depends on your listing page layout.
Filters based on default listing fields
Filters based on default listing fields are enabled in Console > Build > Listings > Listing search.
Default listing fields are defined by the transaction settings of your Listing type. Availability and price information added in default listing fields can be filtered.
Availability filtering returns listings with availability during the searched-for time period. You can configure if the searched-for time period needs to be fully available or partially available. You can also configure if users can search within one day or across multiple days.
Price filtering returns listings within the searched-for range of values. You can configure this range.
Though location is a default listing field option, location search works a bit differently. Location searches return all results ordered by distance to the searched-for point or area. Learn more about location search.
Filters based on custom listing fields
Filters based on custom listing fields are built when creating your custom listing fields in Console > Build > Listings > Listing fields.
Custom listing fields are configured by you. There are different listing field types. The field type affects filtering behavior.
Filters based on Free text fields
Keyword search or filtering can work on "Free text" listing field if you enable it when creating the field. Keyword search or filtering takes into consideration the title and description alongside any enabled Free text fields.
Filters based on Number fields
Filtering based on "Number" listing field displays listings that have the number within the selection made in the filter.
Filters based on "Select one" listing field
Filtering based on "Select one" listing field displays listings that meet any of the selected options. In other words, the listing will appear when it satisfies any of filtered for options.
This is called an "or" type filter: if a user selects both "red" and "blue" options, the filter will display listings available in either red or blue.
Filters based on "Select multiple" listing field
Filtering based on "Select multiple" listing field displays listings that meet all of the selected options. Only listings matching all selected options are returned.
This is called an "and" type filter: if a user selects both "red" and "blue" options, the filter will display listings available in both red and blue.
How filters are placed on the search page
Your search page layout determines where filters are placed on your search page.
Map view has less prominent filters, as more of the screen is taken up by the map. Grid view, on the other hand, shows all filters in a scrollable sidebar to the left of the search results.
In addition to layout, filter placement is determined by filter type. Category filters, when enabled, are first, followed by primary filters, default field filters, and then secondary filters. Primary and secondary filters are designated when creating filters based on custom listing fields.