Listing Signals

How badges are distributed

Badges go to the best-value listings in each category. Only sellers with strong community standing qualify. Three inputs combine to determine which listings make the cut:

1. 1
   Primary

   A value-to-price ratio: nominal value (from the category's public calculator) divided by its asking price.

2. 2
   Floor

   The ratio weighted by the seller's community rating so strong sellers outrank weak ones at the same price point. Very low ratings are compressed aggressively, effectively gating those sellers out of the upper tiers.

3. 3
   Tiebreaker

   A small, capped bonus from the seller's level. Nudges similarly-scored listings from longer-tenured sellers higher without letting tenure alone out-rank a stronger listing.

Operational rules

1. 1
   Per category

   igitems calculates tier cutoffs within each category, not across the whole site. The top 3% in one category is not the same absolute score as the top 3% in another. This keeps the badges meaningful when scores cluster low or high.

2. 2
   Refresh

   Thresholds recompute every few hours. As listings enter and leave a category, an existing listing's tier can shift with the distribution.

3. 3
   Pool floor

   Categories need at least 50 qualifying listings before any badge shows. In a very small category, the top 3% might be a single listing, and the badge wouldn't carry the comparative meaning it implies. Badges stay hidden until the percentile cutoffs become informative.

Where the badge appears

The badge sits in the top-left corner of the listing card as an icon-only pill by default. Tap or click it to expand and reveal the tier label (Best Deal, Great Deal, or Smart Deal).