Open about ranking
How search works
Which solutions you see, in what order, and why. These are the exact factors and points our search uses today, for buyers and sellers alike.
1. Which solutions can appear
Live and reviewed
Every gig is checked by Busyzero before it goes live.
From an approved seller
Sellers are vetted when they apply; blocked accounts are hidden.
The seller is available
Gigs of sellers who set themselves to away are hidden until they're back.
There is room for your order
Each seller sets how many orders a gig can run at once. A fully booked gig returns when an order finishes.
It matches your search and filters
Category, tools, budget, delivery time, industry and seller level.
2. The order: “Recommended”
Each solution gets points. The highest total comes first; with equal points, the newest gig goes first.
| Factor | Points | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Match with your search wordsOnly when you search. Words in the title and outcome count most, then tags and the tools it works with, then the description. The heaviest factor, so you see what you asked for first. | relevance × 3 | Only when you search. Words in the title and outcome count most, then tags and the tools it works with, then the description. The heaviest factor, so you see what you asked for first. |
| RatingThe average rating, once a gig has at least 3 reviews. A 5.0 gives 3 points. | 0.6 per star | The average rating, once a gig has at least 3 reviews. A 5.0 gives 3 points. |
| Completed ordersGrows with the seller's completed orders and is full at 50. | up to 1 | Grows with the seller's completed orders and is full at 50. |
| Seller levelLevels are earned with completed orders, earnings, time on Busyzero, ratings and a success score, and checked once a month. Elite is by invitation. | Rising 0.1 · Proven 0.2 · Expert 0.3 · Top Rated 0.4 · Elite 0.5 | Levels are earned with completed orders, earnings, time on Busyzero, ratings and a success score, and checked once a month. Elite is by invitation. |
| New gigDuring the first 30 days after a gig goes live, so new sellers get a fair chance to be found. | 0.5 | During the first 30 days after a gig goes live, so new sellers get a fair chance to be found. |
| Busyzero's choiceGiven by Busyzero for quality and results. Never for payment. | 0.5 | Given by Busyzero for quality and results. Never for payment. |
Example
A gig with a 4.8 rating from 12 reviews, from a Proven seller with 20 completed orders, live for more than 30 days: 2.88 (rating) + 0.4 (orders) + 0.2 (level) = 3.48 points, plus the match with your search words.
3. Other ways to sort
You can also sort by lowest price, fastest delivery, best rating (gigs with at least 3 reviews) or newest. Then only that one factor decides.
4. Promoted solutions
Sellers can pay to show a gig in separate places above the results, on the first page only. They are always labelled “Promoted”, only appear when they match your search and filters, take turns at random, and there are at most 3 at a time (3 places per category). Promotion never changes the order of the results, and no other payment influences where a gig appears.
Busyzero's own solutions
Busyzero also sells some solutions itself. They are always labelled “By Busyzero” and are ranked by exactly the same rules and points as every other seller's. They are never Busyzero's choice, never promoted and get no other advantage in search. The only difference: Busyzero's own account may list more gigs at once than the level limits allow other sellers (100 instead of the limit for its level), so buyers find a broad offer from the start.
5. For sellers
Every seller sees, per gig, whether it shows in search, what keeps it out if it doesn't, and its points on each factor, with tips to rank higher. We announce changes to these factors or points at least 15 days before they apply.