Did search technology stall and get outsmarted by the spammers? I'm confused how big tech search from Amazon and Google is so bad. I'm waiting for some startup to challenge Google as their progress has stopped

I think it's on purpose, I think they don't want you to be able to search but instead buy the ones they are "recommending" to you.

Spammers are part of the equation. But I think Amazon's business model is a big contributor as well. We'd have less of a problem if the entire Amazon store were actual Amazon listings, instead of randos being allowed to put up co-mingled garbage and gaming the search/review systems with no consequence.

Search technology got outsmarted by their own executives. The goal is no longer to present the best results for the user. It's to present the most profitable results.

Google's results are filled with just as much spam, fake listing sites that just link to Amazon, and junk products

I agree, searching for products on Amazon and actually finding what you're looking for is a pain, then you still have to try and figure out if it's a quality product or if it's from a reliable seller.

I shop on NewEgg these days when I can because their power search is much better for the things it is actually implemented well for. For the things it isn't implemented well for you're not really any better off though.

P.S.: If anyone can direct me to a reliable brand for 3-6ft USB 3 A-to-A M-to-M and M-to-F cables that can actually handle SuperSpeed without dropping half the packets, I'd be obliged.

> If anyone can direct me to a reliable brand for 3-6ft USB 3 A-to-A M-to-M and M-to-F cables that can actually handle SuperSpeed without dropping half the packets, I'd be obliged.

I'm not certain M-M is allowed under USB spec (someone else can chime in), which is why you might be having trouble finding that from reliable brands.

The HDMI capture device I'm using has shipped with an A-to-A M-to-M cable. Even if that is the reason I can't find it, I still need an M-to-F to extend this thing and I can't find that either, except from brands that either don't work at all at SS speeds or drop half the packets (like Amazon Basics cables).

I'd look at Plugable, they tend to do quality accessories. (And US-based, and technically savvy - they actually provide firmware updates for their USB docks.)

Almost all USB cables are M-to-M just not A on both ends. Why would it be specifically disallowed for A?

To prevent people creating loops where they plug a device with two female USB-A ports into itself, or plugging two different devices with USB-A female ports into each other. (Which is liable to damage one or both of the devices.)

There’s an electronics.stackexchange post on it which also covers why male USB-C to male USB-C cables are a thing: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/444283/why-i...

For cables, I'd recommend Monoprice...

I also find B&H Photo surprisingly good for computer stuff.

I have noticed this as well. I have sometimes searched for the exact product name only for Amazon to return no or unrelated results, when Google finds it just fine.