Topic: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

So with the demise of searchtempest I thought it might be helpful to share a few tricks for doing nationwide craigslist searches. If you can build a local search, it is possible to expand that to search all 415 of the craiglist sites and consolidate the results in Google Reader.

Let's assume you are starting with a plain search. Here I am, hopefully trying to find a sub $1000 WRX.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105237AM.png

Once you do your initial search and you have it tuned the way you like, look for the RSS icon down on the right and give it a click. It's important that you get your search the way you want it for one city before you go and expand it across all of them.

Here's that RSS icon, click it!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105248AM.png

Now you should see a slightly different URL in your browser. It doesn't really matter what the browser shows at this point, we just want the text from the URL. What we are going to do is build RSS feeds in Google Reader for each of the 415 Craigslist cities.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105332AM.png

Grab the search string (the part after the sfbay.craigslist.org or whatever is your home CL site.) and put in your clipboard. You have to just get the search criteria and not the whole URL - that's important!! I've highlighted what you want in blue.

Now open up this google spreadsheet to build your import list.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc … 4R1E#gid=0

You will probably need to sign in to google docs and make a copy of it - it's read-only for obvious reasons.

Take your query string and paste it into cell B1 on the first sheet.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105432AM.png

The formula will expand your string and create the necessary XML structure. Click on sheet #2 and you will find the OPML file to import into Google Reader. OPML is a file format for importing and exporting RSS feeds. Do a "download as" an make a local copy.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105458AM.png

Now go to http://google.com/reader and open google reader. Go to the settings (gear icon) and you should find an import/export tab.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m273/chicagozer/rss/ScreenShot2012-12-20atDecember202012105537AM.png

Import that OPML file you just downloaded (it's probably got a tsv extension) and you should now have 415 RSS feeds searching for your stuff.

NOTE: please remember to change the search string - if you don't do this and take the defaults, you will import my WRX search.

Jim

Good Luck Everybody Else Racing. Yes, we have a fan page.

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

So, did you find one ?

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

You mean http://www.searchtempest.com/??

They seem to still be operating. I can't find anything on their website that indicates an end of service is coming.

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

Searchtempest still works, but unfortunately they got rid of their best aggregation features. (Or technically Craigslist banned them)

for example, now if you do a nationwide search, you can't use price ranges.

Good Luck Everybody Else Racing. Yes, we have a fan page.

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

Ah.. Gotcha.

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

you had me panicked there for a minute! I find SearchTempest is the greatest SFW time waster on the whole internet

Constructor/Owner/Driver - Billy Beer Ford Futura

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

chicagozer wrote:

Searchtempest still works, but unfortunately they got rid of their best aggregation features. (Or technically Craigslist banned them)

for example, now if you do a nationwide search, you can't use price ranges.

To clarify since this statement is a bit misleading...

If you select by state (or all 50 states) it is correct you cannot use price ranges. It is still possible to search by distance and use the min/max price ranges.

Bacon, oh bacon
Bacon, bacon, oh bacon
Love in five letters

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

chicagozer wrote:

Searchtempest still works, but unfortunately they got rid of their best aggregation features. (Or technically Craigslist banned them)

for example, now if you do a nationwide search, you can't use price ranges.

Yes, but you can use SearchTempest to create a set of RSS feeds for your search that hits every CL in the country, and the RSS will have price ranges.  By-hand OPML manipulation not required.

The steps for this are insanely easy.
1. Open SearchTempest.
2. Enter your search, including price limits.
3. Hit go.  Decline when they invite you to use AutoTempest.
4. When the results come up, they'll say there are no price ranges.  Don't worry...
5. Click on "Feeds For This Search" in the upper right.  Remember where you save the OPML.
6. Load the OPML in your favorite aggregator.  Enjoy!

#(1)75 (was #74) Dirt Cheap Racing (driver/wrench/cool suit cooler fabricator/accountant/substitute captain) - '88 Mustang turbo-4, in garish stickers over spray chrome!
2011 - Garrapatas (11th / 3rd in B), Heaps in the Heart of Texas (19th / 3rd in B)
2012 and 2013 - Lemons didn't fit into our schedule
2014 - Heaps in the Heart of Texas

Re: Google Reader and nationwide Craigslist searches

So, to the original poster - Thank you.

To the Serachtempest hack posters below him... Thank you.

Nice of everyone to share the secrets to getting back to the awesome features once enjoyed by all on Searchtempest UI.