Understanding "include when unsure" behavior
When the AI analyzes a listing, it sometimes can't determine whether a specific criterion is met — usually because the listing doesn't provide enough information. The "Include when unsure" setting controls what happens in these cases.
What "Uncertain" Means
A criterion is marked as uncertain when the AI can't find enough information in the listing to make a definitive yes or no determination.
Examples of uncertain scenarios:
- Your instructions requires "not ground floor" but the listing doesn't mention the floor level
- You want "quiet street" but the listing description says nothing about noise
- You require a balcony of at least 10m² but the listing mentions a balcony without specifying its size
- You want "south-facing" but orientation isn't stated in the listing
Uncertain is different from "no match":
- No match: The information is available and it doesn't meet your criteria (e.g., the listing says "ground floor" and you require "not ground floor")
- Uncertain: The information simply isn't available to make a determination
The Setting
You'll find the "Include when unsure" toggle in your filter's filter instructions section, just below the instructions text area.
- Enabled (ON): If a criterion can't be assessed, the listing is treated as if that criterion matched. The listing can still be forwarded if all other criteria match.
- Disabled (OFF): If a criterion can't be assessed, the listing is treated as if that criterion failed. The listing won't be forwarded unless ALL criteria have definitive matches.
How It Interacts with AND/OR Logic
AND Logic (All criteria must match)
With instructions like:
Forward if ALL:
- Price under €400,000
- At least 3 rooms
- Not ground floor
- Quiet street
| Criterion | Value Found | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Price under €400,000 | €350,000 | ✅ Match |
| At least 3 rooms | 3 rooms | ✅ Match |
| Not ground floor | Not mentioned | ❓ Uncertain |
| Quiet street | Not mentioned | ❓ Uncertain |
- Include when unsure = ON: Listing is forwarded (uncertain criteria are treated as matches)
- Include when unsure = OFF: Listing is NOT forwarded (uncertain criteria are treated as failures)
OR Logic (Any group can match)
With instructions like:
Forward if ANY of:
Group 1: Price/m² under €5,000
Group 2: Has terrace AND south-facing
| Group | Criterion | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Price/m² under €5,000 | ✅ Match |
| Group 2 | Has terrace | ✅ Match |
| Group 2 | South-facing | ❓ Uncertain |
This listing would be forwarded regardless of the uncertain setting, because Group 1 fully matches. The uncertain setting only matters when it would change the overall outcome.
Decision Matrix: When to Enable/Disable
| Scenario | Recommended Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Active search, don't want to miss anything | ON | Better to review a few extra listings than miss a good one |
| Strict investment criteria (yield must be exact) | OFF | Incorrect calculations could lead to bad investments |
| Just started searching, exploring the market | ON | Cast a wide net, refine later |
| Very specific criteria, few listings match anyway | ON | Don't further reduce an already small pool |
| High-volume search (50+ listings/day) | OFF | Reduce noise by requiring complete information |
| Criteria mostly involve objective data (price, rooms) | Either | Most criteria will have definitive answers anyway |
| Criteria involve subjective qualities (light, noise) | ON | These are often not mentioned in listings |
Best Practices
-
Start with ON: When setting up a new filter, enable include when unsure. This gives you a broader view of what's available.
-
Review uncertain results: In your listings dashboard, look at forwarded listings and check which criteria were uncertain. This tells you what information listings in your market typically include (or don't).
-
Adjust your instructions: If many listings have uncertain results for the same criterion, consider:
- Removing that criterion if it's rarely mentioned in listings
- Adding keyword hints (e.g., "quiet street — look for 'calme', 'résidentiel', 'impasse'")
- Making the criterion optional rather than required
-
Switch to OFF when confident: Once you've refined your instructions and are getting too many listings, switch to OFF to tighten the filter.
Impact on Match Counts
Enabling include when unsure typically increases your match rate by 20-40%, depending on how many of your criteria rely on information that listings often omit.
If your match rate is very low (<5%) and your criteria seem reasonable, try enabling include when unsure — many listings might be failing on criteria that simply aren't mentioned.
Related articles: Writing effective instructions · Understanding match results · Using calculations in instructions