Weird, unpredictable, infuriating and selfish.
Search is VERY, shall we say, variable? As you suggest, search for the same item two days running produces different results - an iSpot mood-thing.
It used, up a month ago, really favour (was extremely biased to) Southern African Observations - not so now.
I couldn’t use your incomplete link to rock-pool-inhabitant- but I suspect it’s the same result of this one https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/uk-and-ireland/view/observation/752735/common-goose-barnacle - NO mention of “gooseneck”. So we are left wondering why it’s in results. My guess is that it might be by association (as you write “'other observations’ strap”) - but it shouldn’t be. Nevertheless a Goose Barnacle is also a Gooseneck Barnacle, “quotes” or not.
My search for your ‘rock-pool-inhabitant-’ no quotes, does the biz - excellent result
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3196 but where is the “specific” reference to ‘gooseneck’? No-where.
I have found Search a little more friendly over recent weeks, but often needing to go to Taxonomy first, then associated Observations. But you are quite right - it’s a Box of weirdness!
It is in the list here New year 'solutions?