Searching by screen name on rentboy

[Kevin Slater]

It seems that rentboy has finally improved its search-by-screen-name functionality. Now, if you go to advanced search, select a city, and start typing a screen name, it gives you a drop down list to chose from. Cool part is, what with all the creative names and spellings out there, you don't have to start at the beginning. For example "late" brings my name up. This ought to make it a little easier to find specific guys you're looking for.

 

Kevin Slater

[doitb4ugo]

Thanks for the very helpful tip...I always find Rentboy frustrating when looking someone up....but the ads are so much more informative than what is posted on M4RN

[leigh.bess.toad]

I saw that this afternoon. But they must have just put it on. Because earlier today I don't remember it being there. And RB seemed to be done for a brief period this afternoon, when it couldn't manage to go from page 3 to page 4 of escorts in Manhattan -- this seemed to last for about 10-15 minutes.

 

Or did I miss it? But it is a great addition. Thanks for posting this for everyone to see.

[Irtwo]

Speaking of RB, how do they determine the order of listings? Those on the first page have a big advantage. Do they pay extra to be listed first? Is it by looks (it sometimes seems that way)?

[Kevin Slater]

Speaking of RB, how do they determine the order of listings? Those on the first page have a big advantage. Do they pay extra to be listed first? Is it by looks (it sometimes seems that way)?

 

Yes, page one costs quite a bit more, at least in NYC. Ads are rotated within the page, but not to the other pages. Pages two and three are another grouping, and then pages four and beyond are the remainder. The two top slots (who are you calling a slot?) on the first page are auctioned off, ebay style, each month.

 

Kevin Slater

[Irtwo]

Thanks for that informative reply.

[justaguy]

Kevin, thanks for the info. I've always wondered exactly how that was done. Would it be prying to ask how much they charge for the various slots? (It's usually a good idea to find out how much a slot costs )

[Kevin Slater]

Kevin, thanks for the info. I've always wondered exactly how that was done. Would it be prying to ask how much they charge for the various slots? (It's usually a good idea to find out how much a slot costs )

 

In the top-tier cities, platinum ads (those always on the first page) are $300 a month, gold (pages two and three) are $150 I believe, and standard (the back forty) are maybe $60. Once you get a premium ad it's yours to keep, and in NYC at least, platinum and gold ads are always sold out and impossible for new guys to get, which makes it good that the diamond ads (those two slots auctioned off each month) rotate a few fresh faces to the front page.

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest NYCchelsNYC]

Hey there - Just out of curiosity, if you put in search criteria, does it look for those that have premium slots and also meet the search criteria and put them in first, or is just discard the premium slots and return the search criteria in no special order. I know we've swayed a little from the original post (Thanks, Kevin.) and not trying to get technical, but I never just scroll through without putting in at least a few search criteria, so wondering what that does to the positioning.

[Kevin Slater]

It appears that the more expensive ads appear first in search results.

 

Kevin Slater

[atlgaboy]

Kevin - thanks for the insight. One other question comes to mind...any idea how they determine who will be "RB of th Day" on home page? Just curious. Thanks.

[JT Brooklyn]

I've known a few very Successful NYC Working Guys who figured it would be worth it to them when traveling to pay to keep their "Exspensive Page Slot" Blocked until their return.

 

I'm sure at 300 a slot RB gladly would hold it for you. Ya know it takes $$ to make money!

 

Many times when using the Search a name did not come up..BUT after gong thru many pages the guys AD would! Hopefully that now no longer happens.

[Kevin Slater]

Kevin - thanks for the insight. One other question comes to mind...any idea how they determine who will be "RB of th Day" on home page?

 

It used to be based on the number of hits the ad generated the previous day, but they've since changed the algorithm and think that there's a lot more discretion on their part in selecting, partially based on who they think is photo worthy and with an eye toward geographic diversity. Most recently, I've noticed something about that, too, being up for auction.

 

Kevin Slater

[Toulouse]

Hey Kevin, Thanks for this update. I hadn't noticed the Rentboy search enhancement. It definitely makes it much easier to find a particular guy you're looking for. Good for Rentboy!