Search Results

[CarrieAcosta]

Hi all,

We're using HTML5 output and I have a lot of complaints about the search functionality. Are there any suggestions on improving search results for HTML5 since it's using Windows search? Is there any information on the methodology used so that I can try to add data to the topics to improve the relevancy?

Thanks,

Carrie

[Mike Kelley]

The biggest thing to remember is that prior to Flare 11, all HTML5 output searches performed an "OR" search by default. If you're using Flare 10 or lower, that could be part of the issue. By now, everyone is trained to expect Google-type search results and Google defaults to an "AND" search.

If you're using Flare 11, there are some ways to optimize searching. Here's MadCap's documentation Optimizing Search:
http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare11/Content/Search/Optimizing_Search/Optimizing_Search.htm

You'll especially want to look at the Ranking Search Results link. This article has some good tips for how to optimize search rankings and importance.

Other than that, all I can recommend is that you train your readers on how to perform more relevant searches. Our current landing page into our help is a topic on how to improve search results:

searchHints1.png

searchHints2.png

When users actually perform a search result, I inject a DIV (via Dave Lee's Toolbar script method) into the search page that has a few useful search tips (ignore the duplicated bullet, this was an image from testing):

searchResultTips.png

[NorthEast]

When users actually perform a search result, I inject a DIV (via Dave Lee's Toolbar script method) into the search page that has a few useful search tips (ignore the duplicated bullet, this was an image from testing):

If you've got v11, then you don't need scripts to do this - just add this content in a normal topic, then insert the Search Results proxy where you want the results to display.


(Note - there's a bug which affects topics that include the search results proxy, and also use a master page. You will need to put your search results topic in the same folder as your master pages. The results display fine, but any links (hyperlinks, images, etc.) from that topic will have incorrect relative URLs, unless that topic is also in the master page folder.)

[Mike Kelley]

If you've got v11, then you don't need scripts to do this - just add this content in a normal topic, then insert the Search Results proxy where you want the results to display.


(Note - there's a bug which affects topics that include the search results proxy, and also use a master page. You will need to put your search results topic in the same folder as your master pages. The results display fine, but any links (hyperlinks, images, etc.) from that topic will have incorrect relative URLs, unless that topic is also in the master page folder.)

That's good to know, Dave. Thanks!

[techwriter31]

Not sure if this pertains to your issue, but I found a bug when using the Flare 11 TopNav skin with the "Server-based Output" option in the HTML5 target file (and the server configured to use ASP.NET, etc.). In this configuration, each time I searched for any term via the published website, the search results returned every file in the output! Tech support confirmed the bug and I ended up disabling the "Server-based Output" option in the target file.