Introduction

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with the auto-expanding menu on Zillow's map view? If you’ve inadvertently hovered over the search bar and had the menu expand, you’re not alone. This common issue can disrupt your browsing experience, making it challenging to navigate. In this article, we will explore why this irritating behavior occurs and how you can resolve it using a Tampermonkey script.

Understanding the Issue

Zillow's interface includes a hover-sensitive menu that automatically expands when the mouse hovers over it. This feature is intended to make navigation smoother, but it can become annoying if you accidentally trigger the menu while trying to interact with nearby elements. The menu contains options like "Buy", "Rent", "Sell", "Get a mortgage", and "Find an agent", which all come into play when you hover over the search bar. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidental interactions, distracting you from your intended actions on the page.

Creating a Solution with Tampermonkey

To tackle the issue of the auto-expanding menu, we can develop a custom Tampermonkey script that hides this menu unless manually activated. This way, you’ll have better control over your browsing experience on Zillow.

Step 1: Install Tampermonkey

First, ensure you have the Tampermonkey browser extension installed on your web browser. This extension allows you to run custom scripts on designated web pages.

Step 2: Set Up Your Script

  1. Click on the Tampermonkey icon in your browser to open the dashboard.
  2. Select "Add a new script" to create your custom script.

Here's a refined version of the script you're working with:

// ==UserScript==
// @name         Hide Expanding Menu Bar
// @namespace    http://tampermonkey.net/
// @version      0.1
// @require      https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js
// @description  Hides Zillow auto-expanding menu
// @author       mikmak
// @match        https://www.zillow.com/*
// @grant        GM_addStyle
// ==/UserScript==

const $ = window.$;

function hideExpandingMenu() {
  $('.data-zg-section[data-testid="main"]').hide();
}

$(document).ready(function() {
  hideExpandingMenu();
});

Step 3: Explanation of the Code

  • Script Metadata: This part (// ==UserScript== ... // ==/UserScript==) provides the basic information about the script, like its name and version.
  • jQuery Requirement: The script includes jQuery, which allows us to use concise DOM manipulation methods.
  • Functionality: The function hideExpandingMenu targets the main section of the Zillow page based on the appropriate data attributes and hides it when the document is ready.

Final Thoughts

After you create and save the script, navigate to Zillow. You should notice that the previously auto-expanding menu is now hidden, allowing you to interact with the search box freely. If you still want to access the menu, consider providing a manual trigger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I edit an existing Tampermonkey script?

To edit a Tampermonkey script, click its name on the Tampermonkey dashboard. You can make changes directly in the editor and save them once you are done.

Q2: Can I disable the script temporarily?

Yes, you can toggle the script on or off directly from the Tampermonkey dashboard without deleting it.

Q3: Will this script work on other websites besides Zillow?

This specific script is designed for Zillow's unique structure, but similar techniques can be applied to other websites by modifying the selectors accordingly.

By following these steps, you can have a more pleasant and less interrupted experience while using Zillow. Remember, tailored scripts can significantly enhance your browsing by removing unwanted features while retaining essential functionality.