Automatic Part Search: We Search the Web So You Don't Have To
Finding the right car part can be a grind. You know the drill: search one shop, then another, open twenty tabs, compare prices, check stock - and half the listings turn out to be for a different model year. We built an AI-powered search that takes some of that pain away.
Starting today, hank automatically searches the web for your part after you post a request.
How It Works
There's nothing you need to do differently. Just post a part request like you normally would:
- Create your part request - pick your car, describe the part, add a part number if you have one
- We do the rest - our AI searches across auto parts shops and marketplaces on the web
- Check your email - you'll get a report with any matching listings we found
That's it. Your part request stays visible to sellers on hank as usual - the automatic search is an extra layer on top.
What You Get
The email report shows you the listings we found, with the most relevant ones first. Each result includes:
- The shop name and a link to go straight to the listing
- Price, when available
- Stock status - so you know if it's actually available or just a catalog entry
An AI evaluates and ranks each result by how useful it is: in-stock listings with a price come first, followed by partial matches and catalog pages.
The whole process runs in the background. Depending on demand, your report typically arrives within about 15 minutes. You'll also get an email if we couldn't find anything - so you're never left wondering whether the search ran or not.
Tip: Set Your Language and Region
The search uses your settings to figure out where to look. Your notification language is especially important - it tells us which language to search in. And if you've set your shipping country and preferred region on your profile, we'll prioritize shops that are actually relevant to you. A small thing, but it makes a real difference in result quality.
It Complements Sellers, Not Replaces Them
We want to be clear: this feature doesn't replace the sellers on hank. Your part request is still visible to all dealers and private sellers, and they can still send you offers as before.
Think of it as a heads-up: "Hey, while you're waiting for offers, here are some listings we found online that might be what you're looking for." Sometimes a quick link to the right shop saves you days of waiting.
This Is a Beta
Automatic part search is still in beta. We're rolling it out to all users, but the results won't always be perfect - sometimes the AI picks up irrelevant listings, or misses the exact part you need. That's expected at this stage.
After you receive a report, we'll follow up and ask how useful the results were. Your feedback directly shapes how we improve the search - so don't hold back.
Opt Out Anytime
Not interested in the automated search emails? No problem. Head to your notification settings and toggle off "Automated part search results". Your part requests will still work normally - you just won't get the extra search results by email.
Happy hanking!
Robert - hank team
