While I think better search would be great for users, I'm convinced Reddit doesn't actually want better search.
Good search means I can easily find an old post with the answer to my questions. Bad search means I end up going to a subreddit and posting the same question that's been asked 15 times. Even if it's removed by the mods, it'll likely get one or two comments and votes before it does.
What really gets me is people who don't seem to understand how to search for information online. If you go to something like /r/wearethemusicmakers (a sub for music making, mostly based around computers and software) you'll see people asking questions like "what is an audio interface and why do I need one?"
You can type that question into google verbatim and find dozens of high production value Youtube videos explaining exactly what an audio interface is. Yet a shocking number of people opt to type this question into Reddit and then wait 8 hours for other users to post answers.
Are people really this incompetent at finding information online nowadays?
> Are people really this incompetent at finding information online nowadays?
I've thought for a bit about the question, and I don't think so.
Rather I think people don't understand how forums work, these questions are often from first-time posters or people that frequent the site very rarely, and still haven't learned asking simple questions a Google or forum search away is bad etiquette, makes for bad reading and will annoy the heck out of the regulars.
In their newbie eyes, the forum is the place where you ask your questions, provided they are relevant, but without considering how inane or oft-repeated they are.
> You can type that question into google verbatim and find dozens of high production value Youtube videos explaining exactly what an audio interface is.
Watching video is inefficient, I can read much quicker. I would search forums (such as Reddit) for an answer, but if I did not find one, I would post a question before I searched YouTube.
YouTube also has annoying product plug ins and ads and I have no idea what people are selling. I assume there is a lower proportion of advertisers to honest people just answering questions on YouTube, although I believe this has changed now due to the popularity of Reddit.
Not incompetent, they just don't think of the Internet as a place to get information. Most people, from what I observed, view Internet as a place to buy stuff, be entertained, and perhaps to talk to people.
The idea that you could get first-hand information for free, instead of relying on second-hand information from others, simply does not enter the picture for them.
On the other hand, asking that question would open very useful discussion, and create a place for clear helpful introduction.
The contextual information you can get to introduce you to a topic is where Reddit really shines. Some subs do this with a wiki, but the redesign tends to hide it.
The only problem is trying to have that question asked few enough times that people don't get tired of answering.
While I think better search would be great for users, I'm convinced Reddit doesn't actually want better search.
Good search means I can easily find an old post with the answer to my questions. Bad search means I end up going to a subreddit and posting the same question that's been asked 15 times. Even if it's removed by the mods, it'll likely get one or two comments and votes before it does.
Bad search drives more engagement.