AJ's search algorithm is not sustainable. The Popular Files list is going stale.

How about this solution:

Let visitors decide on the search algorithm + offer 4 new algorithms:

  • Random (calling it “Surprise Me” is off-putting, I can’t explain why)
  • Leaning toward newer stuff (unlike sort by date ascending, it still gives a chronological mix. It’s a tug of love between what AJ’s directors want you to see vs. what’s strictly new)
  • Leaning toward classics (like above, but … instead of AJ Directors’ Choices vs. Latest, it’s AJ vs. time honoured classics, even if they’re not high sellers)
  • Leaning toward Safe Bets (= AJ Directors’ Choices vs. Songs that are indexed by some sort of {price tier + sales + YouTube cameos + middle age category for amount of time it’s been around on AJ} quotient)

For each of the 4 categories above, visitor can additionally do the usual sorting witihn the results (sort by age, sort by sales, sort by price)

For this to have real meaning, l’d suggest adding “Best Offer”. So, the visitor has a copelling, no, overpowering reason to use one of these 3 gourmet search methods (new? OK, sort by no. of sales. OK if it’s a high seller, and new, then don’t bother making silly offers. Old? No sales? Submit a Best Offer, you’re doing the author a favour).

Argue.

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