Why are search results not sorted by distance from the location searched?

The ability to search by distance is something I have complained to Rover about since becoming a sitter probably 10 years ago.

However, you do have the ability to manipulate the map in order to get this result. Cumbersome and awkward but it is possible.

I encourage you to contact Rover at [Edit: Rover’s contact options have changed. Visit the Rover Help Center at https://support.rover.com/ to find the phone number, help articles, or chat with the team] to complain about the need to use distance as the primary way of searching for a sitter. It has never made any sense to me, especially for where I live.

Can't answer your second question.