11. How to Use Filters to Browse Stories on the Wishes App (Mobile)

Welcome to the Wishes App! This guide will help you navigate the story browsing and filtering process, enabling you to discover and support fundraisers that resonate with your interests. Follow the steps below to efficiently find and donate to the stories that matter most to you.

Browsing and Filtering Stories

As a Donor, utilizing filters effectively ensures you find the causes you want to support quickly and easily. Whether you're searching for specific stories or exploring new fundraisers, the Wishes App provides intuitive tools to enhance your browsing experience.

Step 1: Access the Filters Menu

• Action: Open the Wishes App on your device and log in to your account.
• Description: Once logged in, you will see the home screen displaying a list of active stories and fundraisers.
• Action: Navigate to the "Browse Stories" section by tapping on the appropriate menu option, typically located at the bottom of the screen.
• Action: Locate and tap the "Filters" button to access the filtering options.
• Description: The "Filters" button is usually positioned near the top or within the browsing interface for easy access.

Step 2: Understanding Filter Options

The Wishes App offers multiple filtering options to help you refine your search for stories. These options include Tags, Geo-Location, "Only Favorite", and Sub-Categories. Below is a detailed explanation of each filter type:

1. Using Tags for Better Filtration

• Action: In the "Filters" menu, select the "Tags" option.
• Description: Tags help categorize stories based on specific themes or needs, making it easier to find stories that align with your interests.
• Available Tags: Examples include emergency, memorial, medical, housing, school, animals, business, faith, family, home, arts, sport, nonprofit, and volunteer.
• Action: You can select multiple tags by tapping on each desired tag.
• Action: To expedite your search, use the "Search Tags" field to type keywords and find relevant tags faster.
• Note: Stories that match all selected tags will be displayed in the search results.

2. Using Geo-Location to Find Nearby Stories

• Action: In the "Filters" menu, select the "Geo-Location" option.
• Description: Filtering by geo-location prioritizes stories that are geographically close to you, enhancing the relevance of the stories you browse.
• Action: Tap the "Show Nearby First" button.
• Action: When prompted, allow the app to access your device's location services.
• Description: Upon granting permission, the filter will be applied, and nearby stories will appear at the top of your list.
• Note: You can combine geo-location with other filters like Tags and Sub-Categories to further refine your search. However, "Only Favorite" cannot be used simultaneously with geo-location.

3. Using "Only Favorite" to View Saved Stories

• Action: In the "Filters" menu, select the "Only Favorite" option.
• Description: This filter displays only the stories you have marked as favorites, allowing you to quickly access and support the causes you are passionate about.
• Action: Tap the "Only Favorite" button to activate the filter.
• Note: "Only Favorite" works independently of other filters. When this filter is active, you cannot use Tags, Geo-Location, or Sub-Categories simultaneously.
• Visual Cue: The "Only Favorite" filter will be displayed as selected, indicating its active status.

4. Using Sub-Categories for Specific Interests

• Action: In the "Filters" menu, select the "Sub-Categories" option.
• Description: Sub-categories provide a more granular level of filtering within broader categories, helping you find stories that meet specific criteria.
• Available Categories and Sub-Categories:
  • Health: Insurance, Health, Memorial
  • Emergency: Hotel, Airfare, General Merchandise, Animals/Vet
  • Life Essentials: Restaurant, Gasoline, Home Improvement, Kids Toys, Education, Groceries
  • Services: Internet, Shipping, Rideshare, Business, Charity
• Action: You can select one sub-category from the list of available options.
• Description: Selecting a sub-category refines your search to stories that specifically match the chosen sub-category.

Step 3: Applying Filters

• Action: After selecting your desired filters (Tags, Geo-Location, "Only Favorite", and/or Sub-Categories), tap the "Apply Filters" button to activate them.
• Description: The app will refresh the list of stories based on the selected filters, displaying only the stories that match your criteria.
• Visual Cue: The number of filters applied will be indicated (e.g., "Filters Applied: 3"), providing a clear overview of your current filter settings.

Step 4: Viewing Filtered Results

Depending on the filters you have applied, the stories displayed will vary:

Case 1: Using Tags, Geo-Location, and Sub-Categories

• Scenario: You have applied multiple tags, enabled geo-location, and selected a sub-category.
• Result: The app displays stories that:
  • Match all selected tags
  • Are geographically close to your current location
  • Belong to the selected sub-category
• Example: Stories tagged with "medical" and "health", located nearby, and within the "Insurance" sub-category will appear at the top of your list.

Case 2: Using "Only Favorite"

• Scenario: You have selected the "Only Favorite" filter.
• Result: The app displays only the stories you have previously marked as favorites, regardless of tags, geo-location, or sub-categories.
• Note: Since "Only Favorite" cannot be combined with other filters, you will see a simplified list focusing solely on your favorite stories.

Step 5: Donating to a Filtered Story

• Action: Browse through the filtered list of stories.
• Action: Tap on the "Donate" button associated with any story you wish to support.
• Description: This will take you to the donation page for that specific story, where you can enter your donation amount and complete the payment process.

Additional Features and Tips

1. Combining Multiple Filters for Precision

• Tip: Utilize multiple filters such as Tags, Geo-Location, and Sub-Categories to narrow down your search and find stories that precisely match your interests.
• Benefit: Combining filters enhances the relevance of the stories you view, making your donation process more efficient and targeted.

2. Managing Your Favorites

• Action: When viewing a story, tap the "Heart" or "Favorite" icon to save it to your favorites.
• Description: Favoriting stories allows you to easily access and support them later using the "Only Favorite" filter.
• Benefit: This feature helps you keep track of causes you are passionate about and revisit them as needed.

3. Clearing Filters

• Action: To remove all applied filters, tap the "Clear Filters" button within the "Filters" menu.
• Description: This action will reset all filters, displaying the full list of available stories.
• Benefit: Clearing filters allows you to start a new search without any previous constraints, ensuring a fresh browsing experience.

4. Saving Common Filter Combinations

• Tip: If you frequently use specific filter combinations, consider saving them for quicker access in the future.
• Action: While the Wishes App may not have a built-in feature for saving filter presets, you can manually note down your preferred filter settings for easy reference.
• Benefit: This practice saves time and streamlines your browsing process, allowing you to find your desired stories more efficiently.

5. Staying Updated with New Stories

• Action: Regularly check the "Newest Stories" filter to discover the latest fundraisers.
• Description: Supporting new stories early can help organizers reach their goals faster.
• Benefit: Being among the first to donate can make a significant difference in the success of a fundraiser.

Troubleshooting Filter Issues

Issue 1: Filters Not Applying Correctly

• Possible Causes:
  1. App glitches or temporary bugs.
  2. Internet connectivity issues.
  3. Incorrect filter selection.
• Solutions:
  1. Refresh the App:
     • Action: Pull down on the "Browse Stories" page to refresh the list.
  2. Check Internet Connection:
     • Action: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
  3. Reapply Filters:
     • Action: Go back to the "Filters" menu and reselect your desired filters.
  4. Update the App:
     • Action: Make sure you are using the latest version of the Wishes App available in your app store.
  5. Restart the App:
     • Action: Close and reopen the Wishes App to resolve temporary issues.
  6. Contact Support:
     • Action: If filters still do not apply correctly, reach out to our support team at support@wishes.com for assistance.

Issue 2: "Only Favorite" Not Working as Expected

• Possible Causes:
  1. Attempting to combine "Only Favorite" with other filters.
  2. Stories not marked as favorites.
• Solutions:
  1. Understand Filter Limitations:
     • Action: Remember that "Only Favorite" cannot be used in conjunction with other filters like Tags, Geo-Location, or Sub-Categories.
  2. Mark Stories as Favorites:
     • Action: Ensure that the stories you want to view under "Only Favorite" are marked as favorites by tapping the "Heart" icon.
  3. Reapply "Only Favorite":
     • Action: Go back to the "Filters" menu, select "Only Favorite", and apply the filter again.
  4. Clear and Reapply Filters:
     • Action: If issues persist, clear all filters and reapply "Only Favorite" exclusively.
  5. Contact Support:
     • Action: If "Only Favorite" continues to malfunction, contact our support team for further assistance.

Issue 3: Tags Not Displaying Correctly

• Possible Causes:
  1. Typographical errors in tag search.
  2. Limited availability of certain tags.
• Solutions:
  1. Use Accurate Keywords:
     • Action: Ensure that you are typing the correct spelling of tags in the "Search Tags" field.
  2. Use Broader Keywords:
     • Action: If specific tags are not found, try using broader or related keywords to locate similar tags.
  3. Refresh the App:
     • Action: Refresh the "Browse Stories" page to update the list of available tags.
  4. Request New Tags:
     • Action: If a desired tag is missing, contact our support team to suggest new tags for future updates.
  5. Contact Support:
     • Action: For persistent issues with tags, reach out to our support team at support@wishes.com.

Issue 4: Sub-Categories Not Filtering Correctly

• Possible Causes:
  1. Selecting multiple sub-categories (only one is allowed).
  2. App glitches affecting sub-category filtering.
• Solutions:
  1. Select Only One Sub-Category:
     • Action: Ensure that you are selecting only one sub-category from the list.
  2. Reapply Sub-Categories:
     • Action: Go back to the "Filters" menu, deselect any previously selected sub-categories, and select a new one.
  3. Update the App:
     • Action: Make sure you are using the latest version of the Wishes App.
  4. Restart the App:
     • Action: Close and reopen the app to reset sub-category selections.
  5. Contact Support:
     • Action: If sub-categories still do not filter correctly, contact our support team for assistance.

Issue 5: Filters Not Resetting Properly

• Possible Causes:
  1. App glitches preventing filter reset.
  2. User not clearing all filters before applying new ones.
• Solutions:
  1. Clear All Filters:
     • Action: In the "Filters" menu, tap the "Clear Filters" button to remove all applied filters.
  2. Reapply Desired Filters:
     • Action: After clearing, select the new filters you wish to apply.
  3. Refresh the App:
     • Action: Pull down on the "Browse Stories" page to refresh the list.
  4. Restart the App:
     • Action: Close and reopen the Wishes App to ensure all filters are reset.
  5. Contact Support:
     • Action: If filters still do not reset correctly, reach out to our support team at support@wishes.com.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions or need help during the story browsing and filtering process, please contact our support team at support@wishes.com.

We're here to help you find and support the causes that matter most to you with Wishes!

Next Steps: Enhancing Your Browsing Experience

After successfully utilizing filters to browse stories, you can take additional actions to maximize your engagement and support:

• Donate to a Story: Contribute to the causes you care about by donating directly through the app.
• Save Favorite Stories: Mark stories as favorites to easily access them later using the "Only Favorite" filter.
• Share Stories: Promote stories on your social media channels to help them reach a wider audience.
• Track Your Donations: Monitor your donation history and manage your contributions from your profile.
• Engage with Story Creators: Leave encouraging comments or messages to build a supportive community around the story.