As promised in a previous post, I want to take the opportunity to briefly discuss the tool that powers our search functionality - Elasticsearch. It's open source software that provides a wide array of search capabilities with easy implementation options.
We’re currently utilizing the following key features:
- Flexible Search Query Language: There are many settings for search queries that allow us to tweak the search algorithm. We will continue to refine our search algorithm to align with the patterns and search behavior of our users.
- Faceted Navigation (Refinements): Browsing our site by clicking the links on the right allows users to refine their search without the need to re-enter search terms. We've set up our faceted search to only display options that will actually return results so that a user will never encounter a blank page.
- Thesaurus: Even though we can account for the specific terms provided in the business listing, we also need to account for abbreviations, synonyms, and alternate terms. An example would be CPA versus certified public accountant. We use the thesaurus to ensure that businesses tagged with CPA are returned when a user searches for certified public accountant and vice versa. This is another area of the directory that will be refined through frequent usage.
- Spell Correct/Suggested Terms: Users frequently misspell their search terms. With spell correct, we can take your misspelled search and offer up relevant suggestions to ensure you still get to the desired result set or business.
- Geospatial Search: Most users will want to find businesses near a specific location. Geospatial search allows us to restrict a user's search to a specific radius around a point. Users will commonly find businesses near their current location. Additionally, geospatial search can accommodate searches based on an address, city, state, or zip code.
For a website like IABB, returning relevant results quickly is critical. Elasticsearch provides a robust backend that is still flexible and fast enough to get the job done. This platform will enable the site to scale as we continue to expand. Technology is our passion, and we’re making a special effort to ensure our search directory will provide an unparalleled user experience.