Random Thoughts...

[Adam Howard]

The searching algorithm works based on newest dates. And it doesn't look for exact matches when you type Spiders XML. It searches for a combination of "Spiders" and "XML". Searching for "Spiders XML" brought the results right up. It's more user error than search algorithm error.

It is the error between development and end users.

The average user, who is not tech aware / geek smart, is going to search using something as "Spiders" or "web spiders".

The algorithm is not compliant to the general end user.

 

[Jeremy]

The algorithm is more than compliant with the general end user. Search engines have severely different algorithms and prioritize titles / SEO > content. Forum users care about content, which is what this search algorithm focuses on. If you are looking and searching by titles, this little box (which, if I might say so myself, is quite user friendly) will change the algorithm:

And doing "Spiders XML" with that box gives me these results...

 

[DRE]

*looks up pebkac

 

[Adam Howard]

The algorithm is more than compliant with the general end user. Search engines have severely different algorithms and prioritize titles / SEO > content. Forum users care about content, which is what this search algorithm focuses on. If you are looking and searching by titles, this little box (which, if I might say so myself, is quite user friendly) will change the algorithm:

View attachment 49860

And doing "Spiders XML" with that box gives me these results...

But it doesn't always work. Which is my point.

Seriously, if you have that box checked....

What possible end user issue can there be?

Forum searches really should mimic more toward search engines, because modern search engines also value content, just as a forum user would.

But more to the point, the growing majority of people who visit a forum for the first time are not forum users and these are the people you should be drawing in.

 

[Lisa]

But more to the point, the growing majority of people who visit a forum for the first time are not forum users and these are the people you should be drawing in.

Pretty sure the majority of people who visit a forum for the first time can read though From there, it's a simple step to seeing how the search works.

 

[Adam Howard]

Pretty sure the majority of people who visit a forum for the first time can read though From there, it's a simple step to seeing how the search works.

Question.... How often do you use Google to search this site or any other forum?

Be honest.... I've read dozens of people who have said or quoted links from Google to here (or other forums).

Next question....

Why is that?

I mean if there is a default search inside every forum... Why do people depend on search pages such as Google to search forums?!

 

[Paul B]

Question.... How often do you use Google to search this site or any other forum?

Be honest.

Never.

 

[Lisa]

Question.... How often do you use Google to search this site or any other forum?

Be honest.... I've read dozens of people who have said or quoted links from Google to here (or other forums).

Never. I use Google to find a forum or other information.

Next question....

Why is that?

Because I use the search function on the forum.

I mean if there is a default search inside every forum... Why do people depend on search pages such as Google to search forums?!

I don't.

 

[Adam Howard]

Never.

You would be the minority (the old majority)

The coming generation of web users and even some old school .... Use search pages to bring up relative information.

And as for the younger generations, it either works as expected or it doesn't work at all.

 

[Jeremy]

I never use Google or another search engine to search this forum or any forum I've visited (apart from those that replaced search with Google). I only pull up Google when there is no site search.

But it doesn't always work. Which is my point.

Seriously, if you have that box checked....

View attachment 49863


What possible end user issue can there be?

Forum searches really should mimic more toward search engines, because modern search engines also value content, just as a forum user would.

But more to the point, the growing majority of people who visit a forum for the first time are not forum users and these are the people you should be drawing in.

Give me one solid example where you can't find something by searching the title with that checked.



I've found hundreds of very old threads by giving a single search term on this forum. The algorithm utilized here by ES and the default search work perfectly fine.

 

[Lisa]

And as for the younger generations, it either works as expected or it doesn't work at all.

Which it does... as has been proved countless times so far today... so, what was your point again?

 

[Adam Howard]

Which it does... as has been proved countless times so far today... so, what was your point again?

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/coloring-this-has-me-scratching-my-head.50839/#post-543877

Find this exact post in search... Without going through search by user or your recent post history.

I can find it on Google by just quoting part of your post. Can you do the same here?

This is how the younger generation expects it to work... ie... similar to a search page. If it doesn't, it doesn't work. Period.

Is that arrogant? yes.
Is that maybe ignorant? yes.
Is that lazy? yes.

Doesn't change the fact that is what is expected from the younger generations who live on Google, Bing, or social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

The non forum user... The person who if I told them I ran a forum, would look at me and ask, "what is a forum?".

The non forum user who you'd very much like to convert to a forum user (or at least I would).

 

[Adam Howard]

Give me one solid example where you can't find something by searching the title with that checked.

I already did.

 

[SneakyDave]

The goat escaped!

 

[Sheldon]

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/coloring-this-has-me-scratching-my-head.50839/#post-543877

Find this exact post in search... Without going through search by user or your recent post history.

I can find it on Google by just quoting part of your post. Can you do the same here?

This is how the younger generation expects it to work... ie... similar to a search page. If it doesn't, it doesn't work. Period.

Is that arrogant? yes.
Is that maybe ignorant? yes.
Is that lazy? yes.

Doesn't change the fact that is what is expected from the younger generations who live on Google, Bing, or social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

The non forum user... The person who if I told them I ran a forum, would look at me and ask, "what is a forum?".

The non forum user who you'd very much like to convert to a forum user (or at least I would).

http://xenforo.com/community/forums/suggestions-bigger-features.9/

 

[Lisa]

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/coloring-this-has-me-scratching-my-head.50839/#post-543877

Find this exact post in search... Without going through search by user or your recent post history.

I can find it on Google by just quoting part of your post. Can you do the same here?

This is how the younger generation expects it to work... ie... similar to a search page. If it doesn't, it doesn't work. Period.

Is that arrogant? yes.
Is that maybe ignorant? yes.
Is that lazy? yes.

Doesn't change the fact that is what is expected from the younger generations who live on Google, Bing, or social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

The non forum user... The person who if I told them I ran a forum, would look at me and ask, "what is a forum?".

The non forum user who you'd very much like to convert to a forum user (or at least I would).

wasn't difficult.... On my very first attempt:-

 

[Jeremy]

I already did.

No, you really haven't. Every example you have given I have found via "Search titles only".

 

[SneakyDave]

http://xenforo.com/community/forums/suggestions-bigger-features.9/

Probably a duplicate of this, "No Thanks"
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/improve-search-algorithms.31514/

Also, "Not a bug":
http://xenforo.com/community/threads/search-problem-from-forum-home-no-results-found.46821

 

[Adam Howard]

No, you really haven't. Every example you have given I have found via "Search titles only".

I'm assuming someone rebuilt the search. Because it wasn't working before.

The problem about proving anything online is 1 of 2 things

• Timing
• Control of content

 

[Mike]

I'm assuming someone rebuilt the search. Because it wasn't working before.

Nothing was changed from our end.