This is part 5 of a multi part series on how to use Content Types and SharePoint Search to build search solutions. In this series, I am using the case of a Site Directory as the example. If you are looking for the entire series, start with “Stop Using the Property Bag” to understand my point of view. Then read Search Based Site Directory: Part 1, Search Based Site Directory: Part 2, Search Based Site Directory: Part 3, and Search Based Site Directory: Part 4 to build your content type and prepare the Managed Properties for this article. In these posts, I have been moving through my process for delivering search solutions. The articles are a little out of order so I could balance content in each post. The order only matters up to the creation of the Managed Properties, after that it is up to you based on your requirements.
Why Query Rules?
I use query rules to “guide user behavior”. Simply stated, query rules are triggered by keywords and phrases that the user enters in their query. We write “rules” that evaluate the query and then take action on the query by Promoting Content, Augmenting the query and present the results of the augmented query in a Result Block, or change the ranking weight of specific result items.
Have a look at the video and let me know what you think. If you have questions about how to create your own Query Rules let me know.
What did you think of the series? I have a few “tangential” posts planned but this is the last one directly related to this topic.