Helping users make successful queries (Search Server 2008)

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Applies To: Microsoft Search Server 2008

 

Topic Last Modified: 2009-07-16

Some features in Microsoft Search Server 2008 that can be used to enhance the end-user experience are search scopes — properties assigned to content, stored during indexing, and mapped to managed properties made available for searches; and keywords defined by the search services administrator, with their definitions, synonyms, and Best Bet sites.

This topic provides links to articles that describe the features that can enhance the search experience in Search Server 2008, while also providing information about its usage and how Search Server 2008 employs these features.

Features enhancing the search end-user experience

The subsequent sections describe the different features in Search Server 2008 that can help in getting better search results, with links to topics for more help.

For more information, see Manage settings to improve search results (Search Server 2008).

Configure Web Part properties

Search Server 2008 includes a number of Web Parts that allow users to perform actions such as performing queries and viewing search results. Each Web Part has properties that are unique to that Web Part as well as properties that are common to many Web Parts, which include properties that affect the appearance of the Web Part.

For more information, see Configure Web Part properties (Search Server 2008)

Provide scopes

Scopes are properties assigned to content, stored during indexing, and mapped to managed properties made available for searches. The search services administrator defines the default scopes that can be used by the entire site collection. Site collection administrators add and modify scopes, add scope display groups, and choose and arrange scopes within them.

For more information on scopes, see Define scopes for searches (Search Server 2008).

Define pages to influence ranking of search results

Authoritative pages are sites that link to the most relevant information. You can specify authoritative pages from the most valuable links to the least valuable. Search Server 2008 uses this list of authoritative pages to calculate the rank of every page in the content index.

For more information, see Configure authoritative pages (Search Server 2008).

Add keywords with Best Bets

Site collection administrators define keywords with Best Bets for use on their sites. Keywords provide definitions for common terms used within your organization. Each keyword also can include a list of synonyms and the Web addresses (URLs) for several Best Bets sites with related content.

When a query includes a keyword or any of its synonyms, the definition for that keyword and its Best Bet sites, if any, are typically displayed prominently on the search results page, above the core search results. Keywords can be used to provide a working glossary of names and terms used within your organization. When configured with synonyms and Best Bets, keywords can also enhance search results by guiding users to recommended resources.

Best Bets can link to recommended Web sites, data stores, and documents that help to explain a keyword and expand upon its meaning. When a user includes a keyword or one of its synonyms in a query, the search results page features links to its associated Best Bets above the core results. You can use Best Bets to promote recommended sites and authoritative pages.

For more information on adding keywords with Best Bets, see Add keyword terms with Best Bets (Search Server 2008).

Server name mappings

Server name mapping override how search results are displayed and how users access content after you create a content index.

For more information on server name mappings, see Manage server name mappings (Search Server 2008).

Metadata properties

Content creators assign property values to their content, including document titles, file names, and author. Web site owners manage shared libraries and lists that can also assign further properties to content. For example, libraries can provide defined content types that require content creators to assign values to properties in order to check in a document. Custom columns within document lists also assign property values to content.

For more information about using metadata properties, see Manage metadata property mappings (Search Server 2008).

Query processing

Search Server 2008 with Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes the following two query-related Stsadm operations:

Results highlighting

The April 2009 cumulative update for Search Server 2008 includes the following two Stsadm operations: