How the Better Search Algorithm Works

Better Search provides a powerful search experience by leveraging MySQL Full-Text search. The algorithm prioritises relevance, ensuring users get the most appropriate search results. This article explains how Better Search processes search queries, ranks posts, and calculates relevance.

Overview of the Search Algorithm

1. Fulltext Search:
   Better Search uses MySQL’s FULLTEXT search capabilities to identify matching content. This allows for features like:
   • Phrase Search: Exact matches for terms enclosed in quotes (e.g., "custom templates").
   • Boolean Operators: Support for advanced queries using + (must include), - (must exclude), and wildcard * operators when “Boolean mode” is activated.
2. Result Scoring:
   The MySQL engine calculates a score for each post based on how closely the content matches the search terms. Posts with higher scores are more relevant to the query.
3. Ranking by Relevance:
   Posts are sorted in descending order of score, ensuring the most relevant results appear at the top of the list.

Calculating Relevance

When Seamless Mode is disabled (i.e., the advanced search template is used), Better Search displays a relevance percentage to each result:

• The post with the highest score is assigned 100% relevance.
• Other posts are assigned a percentage based on their score relative to the highest score.

For example, if the highest score is 50 and another post scores 25, its relevance will be 50%.

This percentage is displayed in the search results when using the advanced template.

Additional Features of the Algorithm

• Customisable Templates: The search results template can be tailored to show relevance scores, excerpts, and other metadata.
• Compatibility with WordPress Themes: Works seamlessly with both classic and block themes.
• Dynamic Switching: When search terms are below 3 characters, the algorithm dynamically switches between full-text search and LIKE-based fallback.

Better Search combines accuracy and flexibility, making it a robust solution for enhancing WordPress search functionality.