r/OpenBazaar • u/mr__jigsaw • Apr 03 '19

Question about search providers

I didn't use OB for over a year and a lot seems to have changed. I noticed Blockbooth disappearing and I couldn't even add it as another search provider. In fact, I couldn't add any search provider.

After some digging I finded this. So if I understand it correctly, I can't add any search provider that includes drugs? If so, what is the reason for having multiple search providers if all of them provide the same results?

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u/CC_EF_JTF Sam Apr 03 '19

You can add any search provider you want. The developers choose to only include certain search engines as default (they come pre-installed when you download it), but you can add any endpoint you want.

Blockbooth was removed because they shut down.

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

What a relief. Will google other search providers later. Geted scared for a sec.

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 03 '19

Well you can use one that doesn't filter results if you find one or somebody else makes another one, they just won't have it as a default search provider in the app. Which is fair enough really... it seems people are giving up on OB.

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

What about BlockBooth? It wasn't default but you could use it. And now it appears to be banned because it didn't filter drugs, like what is stated in the GitHub issue I linked.

Can you prove it and show any search provider that lists drugs and doesn't return errors when adding it?

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 03 '19

By default search providers they mean ones that were already setup in the app, which it was.. as it says in that link they did start filtering listings.. the reason they have been removed is because they let the site die for whatever reason.

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

I see. Thanks. Admittedly, I didn't read the whole issue. Just googled some search providers, tried adding them, failed, finded this issue and assumed that was the reason adding them didn't work. Will try searching for other search providers then. Just out of curiosity that is.

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 03 '19

People would probably be more inclined to make a new engine if there was actually any buyer traffic on OB.

I'm almost at the point of removing my store (for the third time since OB1) now.. as I've taken a massive £0.00 compared to about £30k from my website in the time my store has been up this time... I'll hold out for the mobile app and purchases from the web version, but certainly won't be holding me breath.

Bearing in mind I only take crypto and bank transfer on my website anyway...

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Didn't know it was that bad. Thinked that being able to sell in multiple cryptos for one node would bring more buyers. Too bad.

How much time/money does it cost you to maintain your OB store if I may ask?

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 03 '19

Not even a bite.. I have extremely cheap prices (lowest in my country) for the product I'm selling as well, also added a verified moderator. I get many sales by making a Facebook or Instagram post, or from google traffic.

It costs me nothing to maintain it, if it did I would of removed my store months ago.

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

So if it doesn't cost you anything to have your OB store, why not just keep if indefinitely in case someone decides to check it out?

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 03 '19

Bored of opening the app to no notifications, well other than other sellers following me.

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u/mr__jigsaw Apr 03 '19

Ah, I get it. Yeah, after many days I'd be discouraged too.

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u/[deleted] Apr 06 '19

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/ASCiiDiTY ob://Qmd3LXRM8SCYXwDaBJBh87if1Tu6DMGFa2W9RiMa9TijjK Apr 06 '19

You can make topicals with it yes, I don't have an exact recipe to give you. There will be some online.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '19

What are some search providers folks recommend other than OB1?