Using a machine-learning model to generate subsequent orders for previously unobtained items

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps comprising:

• receiving, by an online system from a user device operated by a user, an order for an item;
• sending an instruction message to a picker device operated by a picker, the instruction message causing the picker device to display an instruction to obtain the item from a source;
• receiving, from the picker device, a response message that the picker was unable to obtain the item from the source;
• storing an order failure tag, the order failure tag associated with an account of the user and the item;
• at a later time, after receiving the response message that the picker was unable to obtain the item from the source, applying an item availability model to predict that the item is available, wherein the item availability model comprises a machine-learning model that is trained, using a set of training data from previous orders, to predict whether a particular item is available at a particular source;
• generating a notification to order a set of items for the user based on the prediction that the item is available at the later time, wherein generating the notification comprises one of:
• selecting, for the set of items, the item that is predicted by the item availability model to be available at the later time, or
• selecting, for the set of items, another item based on a similarity of the other item to the item that is predicted by the item availability model to be available at the later time;
• and
• transmitting, to the user device, the notification to order the set of items, causing the user device to display the notification.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors that execute instructions;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions, executable by the one or more processors, for:
• receiving, by an online system from a user device operated by a user, an order for an item;
• sending an instruction message to a picker device operated by a picker, the instruction message causing the picker device to display an instruction to obtain the item from a source;
• receiving, from the picker device, a response message that the picker was unable to obtain the item from the source;
• storing an order failure tag, the order failure tag associated with an account of the user and the item;
• at a later time, after receiving the response message that the picker was unable to obtain the item from the source, applying an item availability model to predict that the item is available, wherein the item availability model comprises a machine-learning model that is trained, using a set of training data from previous orders, to predict whether a particular item is available at a particular source;
• generating a notification to order a set of items for the user based on the prediction that the item is available at the later time, wherein generating the notification comprises one of:
• selecting, for the set of items, the item that is predicted by the item availability model to be available at the later time, or
• selecting, for the set of items, another item based on a similarity of the other item to the item that is predicted by the item availability model to be available at the later time;
• and
• transmitting, to the user device, the notification to order the set of items, causing the user device to display the notification.