Ripe supports two sort options on the Search Results Page (SRP), each designed to prioritize bookability, fairness, and destination relevance.

This article focuses on the Random Sort option.

Random Sort (with prioritization)

Random Sort allows properties to be dynamically shuffled within defined buckets. While the order changes on each page load, the logic behind the grouping is fixed:

Sort Logic (when Random is Enabled):

Preferred + Ecommerce + Available
Properties that are Preferred, connected, and available are shown first. Randomized within the group.
Ecommerce + Available
Connected properties that are available but not marked Preferred.
Referral + Lead Rate
Non-connected properties with pricing shown.
Referral + No Rate
Referral properties with no pricing.
Unavailable / Sold Out
Properties without availability, even if Preferred, are shown last.

Real-Time Availability Behavior

Because some third-party systems take longer to return data, a property may be temporarily marked as unavailable at page load. If updated availability arrives after render, the property will be updated in place (status and pricing), without shifting its position on the page. This ensures stability for the traveler.

Setup

Set “Random” as your sort preference in Booking Engine Settings.
Optionally tag properties as “Preferred” to elevate their position.

Why Use Random Sort?

Balanced exposure for suppliers
Prioritization of real-time availability
Traveler-first experience with stable rendering

Manual Sort

In addition to Random Sort, Ripe offers a Manual Sort option that gives you complete control over the display order of properties on your Search Results Page (SRP). This mode is ideal when you want consistency in property visibility—especially for high-priority lodging partners or event host hotels.

Manual Sort Overview

Manual Sort allows admins to define a fixed, top-down order for how properties appear on the SRP. This setting is especially helpful for destinations or events that need to prioritize visibility for specific partners.

Sort Logic (When Manual is Enabled)

Properties appear exactly in the order defined in the admin dashboard.
Properties that are unavailable (sold out or no availability returned) are automatically moved to the bottom of the list—regardless of their manual ranking.
No additional grouping or randomization is applied.

Setup Instructions

Navigate to Booking Engine Settings and set your sort preference to “Manual.”
Go to the Properties tab and drag/drop listings into your preferred order.
For affiliate sites:
- The default sort will mirror the main engine.
- You can override the order within Affiliate Settings by selecting and reordering properties for that specific instance.

Best Use Cases

Prioritizing specific properties (e.g. official host hotels, sponsors, top performers)
Maintaining consistent visibility for suppliers
Simplifying expectations for stakeholders during high-volume event periods

What Manual Sort Does Not Do

It does not re-sort based on availability in real time (though unavailable properties still move to the bottom).
It does not introduce randomization or bucketed logic like Random Sort.

Manual Sort puts you fully in control of the traveler’s browsing experience—perfect for destinations where consistency and curation matter most.