Isn't this cool? (A new way to search craigslist)
If we examine the search term below, I'll explain it...
site:craigslist.org/zip canoe -"has been flagged" -dog -cat -pet -kittens -kitten -cats
The 'site:'<websiteURL> keyword tells Google's engine to search just indexes of the websiteURL you choose.
In this example, we are focusing in all free item listings therefore 'craigslist.org/zip' is the websiteURL we choose.
next word is the word or terms we seek, in this case, I want a: canoe
lastly...
-"has been flagged" -dog -cat -pet -kittens -kitten -cats
the - (minus) symbol tells the engine to ignore these terms.
using multiple terms surrounded by quotes will tell the engine
to treat those as a group of words or exact phrase.
so no posts containing: "has been flagged"
also no posts containing: dog cat pet kittens kitten cats
LASTLY the magic of searching all craigslist cities at once is because we are searching ; site:craigslist.org/zip if we want to search all of STL St. Louis, MO we will search using ; site:stlouis.craigslist.org/zip
The last example:
site:stlouis.craigslist.org/zip canoe -"has been flagged" -dog -cat -pet -kittens -kitten -cats
= please , show me all posts for free canoes in the st. louis craigslist.
perfect!
Well, that's all, I'm leaving to go pick up my new toy.
click 'answer' to let us all know if this is cool or not!
Good Answers (2)
Thank you for this useful posting. If you are a freelancer like me, yet another variation is to perform JOB SEARCHES by city, or as you suggest, across cities following a similar template using the Google search box:
Search web/info design on keyword php -
site:lasvegas.craigslist.org/web php
Search accounting+finance on keyword tax -
site:lasvegas.craigslist.org/acc tax
There have been several miniapps built using this search principle, namely; CL Buddy (search for d/l sites) and CraigsListBuddy.com. The latter program reliably sends the listing to an email account. I use the latter FREE program; I have no experience with the former one. I do not have any business relationships with EITHER app or programmer.
Links:
Arturo S
Research Student, University of York
Best Answers in: Telecommunications (2), Computer Networking (1), Information Security (1), Web Development (1)
Fantastic!
If you want to have more fun try Google Custome Engine, google search with REST or even Yahoo! BOSS. I have not time to try it now but I bet that you could build a nice app.
Arturo
More Answers (4)
Jim H
CEO at mavSolve inc., Results focused management consultant
Best Answers in: Change Management (2), Mergers and Acquisitions (1), Manufacturing (1)
Very cool! Thanks.
very cool. Could you not add macros to even possibly beef it up more?
Great!
Cool. Thanks for sharing this
