Results from search box

[TLP1]

Hi,

I'm having issues with the search results returned by the search box element as results that are returned are often not the most relevant.

I can't find info on criteria used for returning search results - looks like just a simple search for any word in search term in a page but I'm not sure how results are prioritised- I was expecting more words from the search term in page closer to top but this doesn't seem to be the case. The most relevant results for searches are often nowhere near the top and I want to do what I can to avoid this. Can anyone clarify how the search works and what can be done to influence the results that are returned?

Thanks!

Thanks!

[TLP1 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your reply Brodie.

So am I right in thinking that the only way I can change the order that search results appear is to change the order that pages are organised on my site? Ideally don't want to do that as it will change all my navigation.

Thanks!

[Brodie]

TLP, the search field pulls up any content on public pages (not password or membership protected),

and pulls them up in order first regarding what order your pages in, and then the search term's appearence 

on the page.

[TLP1 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your reply Brodie.

So am I right in thinking that the only way I can change the order that search results appear is to change the order that pages are organised on my site? Ideally don't want to do that as it will change all my navigation.

Thanks!

[Brodie · Accepted solution]

TLP, that would be the only way. The one workaround I can think of is to hide pages from navigation and create your own navigation bar using linked text, buttons, or images, placing them in the order you want to present regardless of how the pages are stacked in your site editor under your Pages tab.

[Erv1]

Thanks for the clarification. I was unable to use the search bar to pull up any content on my password protected pages or my hidden pges. You just explained why.

[TCC1]

I'm also having problems with the search box which came with my upgrade. It picks out single words (e.g. 'of' , from a search for 'thinking of you' which seems irrelevant, but worse, it is pointing to pages hidden in the navigation. I deleted the page for total security, but it still finds it and allows the searcher entry to the page. I must be doing something wrong but have no idea what !