In this look at Zillow.com, I investigate the search and metadata functionalities of this well known real estate website. This investigation of Zillows functionality will encompasses a review of the website’s search offerings, the role of search in the sites navigation and how search results are displayed, the utilization of facets and polyhierarchy in searching, the presence of controlled vocabularies and thesauri within the site’s search capabilities and any potential barriers to successful searches. Additionally, I will explore the diverse array of metadata used by Zillow which encompass both personal and site-wide elements. And my look at Zillow will conclude with suggestions, if any, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the website’s search and metadata features.
There are three types of searches offered by Zillow. They are a basic search, where users can search for properties based on location, such as city, ZIP code, neighborhood, or address. An advanced search that allows users to refine their property search based on criteria like price range, property type (e.g., houses, apartments, condos), number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and more. And a visual map search, where users can explore property listings on an interactive map that allows them to see available properties in specific user defined areas.
The primary feature of Zillow and its navigation is search. Whether it’s using the basic search to find the address of a property your interested in or using the advanced search to filter the results to be more specific to your exact needs, “…searching for your home with Zillow is … as easy as sending a text to that friend who really loves to help. She asks what you’re looking for, and you say, ‘a three-bedroom house in Dallas with a pool and hardwood floors.’ And within seconds, she compiles and sends you a list of options she knows you’ll love (Zillow, n.d.).”
The results of your search on Zillow for that “three-bedroom house in Dallas with a pool” are presented differently on the desktop and on mobile devices. On the desktop your search results are presented on an interactive map alongside a list view with property details on the right side of the page. On mobile devices, Zillow has optimized its search results for smaller screens by having the listings displayed in a responsive, single column vertically-scrollable format.
Zillow uses faceted elements to enhance these search results. Through its use of filtering options such as by neighborhood, city, state or specific region for the basic search. Or through the use of the advanced search to filter by property type, including options like houses, apartments, condos, townhouses, or land. Along with options for searching by number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and even price range which gives users the ability to search within their budget constraints. While location facets provide even more granularity in search results by focusing results on a specific area. Additionally, polyhierarchy enriches categorization (Laubheimer , P., 2018, May 13), allowing properties to exist in multiple hierarchies simultaneously, such as belonging to “Single-Family Homes” and “Detached Homes.” It also enables properties to be classified based on features and multiple listing types, offering a flexible and comprehensive approach to property classification and search refinement. Thus we are able to get better, more accurate search results when searching for our example home, a “three-bedroom house in Dallas with a pool.”
When searching, “(v)ocabulary control comes in many shapes and sizes (Rosenfeld, et. all, n.d.).” In the case of Zillow you will find that they most likely use lists of equivalent terms in the form of synonym rings. Not everyone is going to use the same terms to describe what they are looking for. In the example of a “three-bedroom house in Dallas with a pool,” people may use other terms for house such as home, flat, or pad. According to Thesaurus.com there are over 70 synonyms alone for the word “house” (Thesaurus.com. n.d.), all of which need to be accounted for by Zillow to make their search effective in returning accurate results.
However all of this information does come with some potential drawbacks that could present barriers to accurate search results. Inaccurate or outdated property listings could lead to wasted time and frustration for users. Listings that are incomplete or are missing essential information or photos can also lead to potential difficulty for users. And the wide variety of search filters offered come with their own set of challenges as some people could find so many options to be overwhelming.
Zillow uses metadata extensively in its property listings to enhance the depth and quality of its search results. Metadata on Zillow listings include a wide range of details from basic property attributes such as: address, city, state, number of bedrooms and bathrooms to more nuanced and detailed information such as property history, tax records, neighborhood data and nearby school ratings. This metadata improves the quality of not only listing descriptions but also helps users make informed decisions regarding a potential home purchase.
Personalized metadata is also incorporated, if you create an account and log in, you can save your favorite properties, manage home tour appointments, and track your search history. Zillow also collects other metadata about its users, such as your name and email address when creating an account and may also collect information such as IP location, pages viewed, time spent on the site, etc. to help improve its search and listing results.
The ways in which Zillow may be able to improve its already extensive metadata collection and search results would be to improve its data accuracy and to add additional user generated content. Improving data accuracy to reduce the number of outdated and stale listings will help to ensure that property information is accurate and up-to-date. And introducing new user generated content such as including additional property information like recent renovations, neighborhood insights, and local amenities will add to the quality of the existing metadata for listings. These improvements will provide Zillows users with even more information regarding the home they are interested in purchasing.
In my examination of Zillow.com, I have delved into the intricacies of the website’s search and metadata functionalities, aiming to shed light on their significance and usability within the context of a real estate platform. Through an exploration of the website’s search offerings, navigation, facets, polyhierarchy, controlled vocabularies, and potential search barriers, I have provided valuable insights into the platform’s strengths and areas for improvement. Furthermore, my look at Zillow’s diverse array of metadata, encompassed both personal and site-wide elements. In conclusion, I have found that Zillow’s search and metadata features elevate the user experience and the platform’s overall effectiveness.
References
77 synonyms & antonyms for House. Thesaurus.com. (n.d.). https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/house
How to find a house on zillow with advanced search techniques | Zillow. (n.d.). https://www.zillow.com/learn/zillow-advanced-search/
Laubheimer , P. (2018, May 13). Polyhierarchies Improve Findability for Ambiguous IA Categories. Nielsen Norman Group. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/polyhierarchy/
Rosenfeld, L., Morville, P., & Arango, J. (n.d.). Information Architecture, 4th edition, Chapter 10, O’Reilly Online Learning. https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/information-architecture-4th/9781491913529/ch10.html