Designing for Discoverability: A Poshmark Case Study

Overview

Poshmark, one of the leading fashion resale marketplaces in e-commerce, faced a key limitation in its existing app: it was difficult for shoppers to find and discover new items, with enagement driven almost entirely by direct search. To address this, I led moderated usability testing on a redesigned search experience paired with a new Explore tab, evaluating whether the changes actually improved discoverability and drove deeper engagement within the app.

My Role

Sole researcher and designer; recruited and moderated usability sessions with participants from my personal and academic network.

Duration: May-August 2026

Problem

Poshmark's search experience placed the full burden of discovery on the user. Without the option to go back to saved searches for faster browsing, in-search suggestions, or a way to organically explore through options and browse, shoppers had no way to revisit past searches or stumble into something new. This meant they had to know exactly what they wanted before they could find it.

Research into user complaints echoed this gap, with many specifically calling out the lack of a "saved searches" feature and the inefficiency of the existing filter tools. Several online forum discussions noted that filtering should be more streamlined, requiring fewer steps to reach the categories or brands users are looking for. At the same time, users who preferred to casually "window shop" reported feeling overwhelmed by random suggested listings, unsure of where to even start.

This mattered for two reasons: first, forcing users to re-enter the same searches repeatedly or dig through excessive filter steps created unnecessary friction and slowed down the shopping experience. Second, and more significantly, the absence of structured browsing meant Poshmark was missing out on the kind of unplanned, discovery-driven purchases that are common in online shopping, the moments where a casual browser finds something they weren't even looking for.

Goals & Objectives

The redesign aimed to close the gap between Poshmark's search-only experience and the way people actually like to shop, whether with intention or simply casual browsing. Through moderated usability testing, this project set out to:

• Reduce friction in returning to past searches by evaluating a saved searches feature

• Streamline the filtering process, minimizing the steps needed to reach a specific category or brand

• Better support casual, "window shopping" behavior with structured browsing by introducing an Explore tab that offers more guided direction over random suggestions

• Measure impact on discoverability and engagement, determining whether these changes helped users find more relevant items and spend more time exploring the app

Process