keywords for internnal search

proper usage

[seashell]

The search function on my organization's website is pretty much useless because of keyword abuse. I just want to clarify a few points before trying to overhaul it.

As far as I know, if I have these as keywords:
"mountain bike, dirt bike, antique bike"
and someone does a search on "mountain" it will pull up the bike web page correct?

Would this have the same result as the above keywords:
"bike, mountain, dirt, antique"

Will this fix the problem of unrelated results:
"[mountain bike], [dirt bike], [antique bike]"

[ritualcoffee]

Since it is an internal site search - do you know the specifics of its algorithm?

For example - I know my site's search weight on all the meta tags, whether it likes commas or not, etc.

[Macguru]

Hi seashell,

It all depends on how the internal search engine is set. I guess it will be easier and less time consuming to play with the search engine config files. I know of just a couple of internal search engines, but I believe most are very flexible.

Wich one is it? Did you read it's documentation?

[seashell]

I don't know. I'm an intern, they don't let me in on that stuff. I was hoping for a cut and dry solution. I guess if it comes down to it, I can try different variations and see what the results are...

I guess this question remains:
Is this valid syntax:
"[mountain bike], [dirt bike], [antique bike]"

So someone will have to type in "mountain bike" in the search to get results.

[Macguru]

My advice is to talk with "they" before you touch anything. ;)

[ritualcoffee]

you have plenty of valid reasons for needing to know the algorithm to fix the listings! Pull together examples of the engine returing results that are unacceptable, explain why, and tell them what you need from them to correct the situation.

[seashell]

Thanks for the advice. I'll start working my magic now!