Every new researcher deserves a straightforward answer about where to take their first steps, and this question from a fellow undergrad gets right to the heart of it. SIGIR-AP is a reasonable choice, but not because it is "easier" or "less competitive" in a way that diminishes its value. It is young, backed by the same parent organization as SIGIR, and that combination creates a genuine opportunity: a venue that is still defining itself, where a fresh perspective can actually stand out. That is not a consolation prize. That is a practical advantage.
What this means for you is that you should stop thinking in terms of "bands" and start thinking in terms of fit. SIGIR-AP, being in its fourth edition, likely has a review culture that is still forming, which can work in your favor if your work is solid but not yet polished to a conference-winner sheen. It is a place where the barrier to entry is lower, not because the bar is low, but because the room is smaller and more open to new voices. You will not be competing against a decade of established reputations. You will be competing against the strength of your own idea, which is exactly the kind of pressure that helps you grow.
Beyond SIGIR-AP, look for regional or workshop-oriented venues that sit under the main conferences. Workshops are often the most welcoming entry points because they are designed for discussion and feedback, not just final results. They give you a chance to present work in progress, get comments from people who actually read your paper, and build connections without the intensity of a full conference rejection cycle. You might also consider conferences in adjacent fields like data management or human-computer interaction, where IR topics are welcome but the reviewer pool is less insular. The key is not to find a "weaker" conference, but to find one where your contribution is a good match for the conversation happening there.
So here is the concrete takeaway: submit to SIGIR-AP if the work is ready, but also plan to submit a shorter version of your idea to a workshop at ECIR or SIGIR next year. That dual approach gives you two things at once, a realistic shot at acceptance and a built-in feedback loop that will make your next submission stronger. Do not wait until you feel ready. The best time to enter the conversation is while you still have something to learn.