I am trying to get started in Rover as a sitter but when a potential client was looking for a sitter in our zipcode, she was given a list of sitters outside the area first-I was listed number8 behind other sitters further away-why is that?

This is truly my number one pet peeve about Rover, the inability for customers to easily search by area. The more savvy people know you can manipulate the map function to drill down to a particular area. There's a little "update" button in the map's upper right-hand corner that changes results as you zoom in on the map.

I continually give my feedback to Rover on all surveys and I think customers should do so as well. Rover may think its algorithm is great, but have they asked their customers what they'd like in a search function? Their search function is not customer-focused, but heavily skewed on things that a customer could care less about.

It's Rover's algorithim and they maintain it is not a problem.

When I search by zipcode only, I show up at number 16. People with fewer reviews and much farther away show up before me. I can only deduce that this is because I am unable to accomodate all requests I receive. Rover encourages you to accept as many requests as you can to boost your search rank, but it's not in our best interest as sitters to accept requests that we simply cannot accomodate.

If you have anyone that can vouch for you, I'd recommend requesting a testimonial. Someone will take a chance on you and get the ball rolling. :)

The pieces that go into Rover's "algorithm" include:

• How quickly you respond to new inquiries and the percent that you respond to within 24 hours (your response rate and time are displayed on your profile)
• The percentage of bookings you acquire out of your inquiries (say you have 5 inquiries but only book 1 of those potential clients - that negatively impacts your search rank)
• The percentage of your clients who receive photos during their dog's stay
• The number of returning clients you have
• Your clients' reviews

Basiclally, more the experience/time/bookings you have = higher rank

You just have to be patient when you first start out with Rover. There is no rhyme or reason to their search algorithm, so I won't discuss it. Just focus on building a great profile - I would add photos of your back yard, house where the dog might be staying, etc. so that potential owners can see where their baby will be living. Advertise using the tools Rover gives you on your dashboard. Look through this forum for other suggestions on advertising and getting the word out. Oh, and keep your calendar up to date. I've read complaints from owners that they contact sitters who show as available but actually are not.

It just takes time, but once you get some reviews and clients, things will probably pick up.

I'm hoping the current client who could not find me today will be able to connect to my profile with the promotional code I sent her a few minutes ago. This client has health emergencies going on with her husband and doesn't need angst from Rover!

It's in the best interests of the dogs to have consistent daycare and boarding too. They are used to me and my pups, know their way around, have familiar smells, know the neighborhood and experience more peace and serenity. Which keeps them healthy and calm til mom and dad are back.

It's understandable that you're frustrated with your listing on Rover. The search algorithm on Rover takes into account several factors when presenting sitters to potential clients, including location, availability, and reviews. There are other factors that can impact your visibility, such as the completeness of your profile, the quality of your photos, and the number of reviews you have. It's also possible that the algorithm prioritizes sitters who have more experience on the platform or who have more completed bookings and positive reviews, even if they are located further away.

To improve your visibility on the platform, it's important to ensure that your profile is complete and up-to-date, with clear and appealing photos. You can also encourage your clients to leave reviews after their bookings to help increase your credibility and visibility on the platform.

Additionally, it's recommended to periodically update your availability on the platform, as the algorithm favors sitters who are actively using the platform and updating their profiles. This can help improve your visibility to potential clients in your area.

However, I have noticed that being active on the Rover community forum can also increase your visibility on the platform and potentially improve your search rankings. This is because forum activity can demonstrate your engagement and dedication to the pet care community, which may make you more appealing to potential clients.

While it can be challenging to get started on Rover, there are many successful sitters who have built thriving businesses on the platform. It may take some time and effort to establish yourself, but with dedication and a commitment to providing quality service to your clients, you can succeed as a Rover sitter.

Good luck!

Patience is a must! It takes some time to develop a clients. It also appears the coverage area you selected is rather narrow, since you are a boarder I recommend you expand it to at least 10+ miles. Havin lower rates than your competition also helps. Good Luck and welcome to Rover