HOW IT WORKS
On bol, you can search in different ways. Around 70% of all searches start very specifically in the search bar, using a term such as ‘Windows laptop’. The remaining 30% browse via category navigation, in this case: Computers & Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Laptops > Windows Laptops. Although the route to the results differs, bol’s goal is always the same: to help customers easily navigate the wide range of products and find exactly what they are looking for.

Relevance determines the order
The order of the results is not random; it is determined by an algorithm that looks at a combination of popularity and relevance. When many customers show interest in a product, for example by clicking on it or buying it, this is an important signal for us. The behaviour of all customers combined helps our system determine which products are currently the most popular. The more popular a product is, the more likely it is to be relevant for other customers. This principle applies equally to everyone: whether bol sells the product itself or one of our retail partners does, the item that is the best match for your search at that moment will appear at the top.

Search bar versus category browsing
The exact results you see do differ depending on how you shop. If you navigate laptops via the categories, you will see a list sorted entirely based on popularity. If you use the search bar for something more specific, such as “gaming laptop”, personal relevance takes precedence over general popularity. That particular gaming model may not be the best-selling laptop on bol, but for your specific search, it is the most relevant result.

Sellers can also advertise with ‘sponsored products’. These appear more prominently in the list, provided they are genuinely relevant to your search. These products are always clearly labelled.

HOW WE APPROACH THIS
We continuously improve our algorithms so that the results better match what you are looking for. In doing so, we look at how customers interact with the platform and how we can use those signals to bring the right products to the top more quickly. We also introduce new ways to make shopping easier, such as visual search (Spot & Shop) in the app. This allows you to search using a photo instead of text. In this way, we ensure that, no matter how you search, you can effortlessly find the product that best matches your needs.

In short: By ranking products based on relevance and popularity, we help you navigate a wide range and find exactly what you are looking for.

Curious to learn more? In this article, you’ll read why you sometimes see the same product at different prices on bol.