Search: Provide additional ranking boost for content that matches more of the search terms #4362

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OVERLORD · 2026-02-05T08:40:22+03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 08:40:22 +03:00

Originally created by @hieste on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023).

Describe the Bug

You wrote in your docu:

"Normal word searches across the name and description or body of your content. When mulitple terms are searched only one term has to match your content but content containing both terms will be higher in the results."

Also on your demo site:

In the Page on the first Position there is no word Magnam in the content or tag...
First Position should be:

But this functionality do not work like expected. If you search for 3 Terms the result gets worser... So it is very hard to find the right content, because search string is always connected with "OR" and not "AND"....

Steps to Reproduce

Search with 2 Terms, like:
demo magna

Expected Behaviour

Content containing both terms should be on the highest Position. Also if you use 3 or more terms...

Screenshots or Additional Context

No response

Browser Details

Chrome

Exact BookStack Version

23.10.4

Originally created by @hieste on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023). ### Describe the Bug You wrote in your docu: "Normal word searches across the name and description or body of your content. When mulitple terms are searched only one term has to match your content but content containing **both terms will be higher in the results.**" Also on your demo site: ![image](https://github.com/BookStackApp/BookStack/assets/30119314/4fc8c340-750d-41cc-8ae9-9376a43e2110) In the Page on the first Position there is no word Magnam in the content or tag... First Position should be: ![image](https://github.com/BookStackApp/BookStack/assets/30119314/e49ce9d6-fdb6-4cb4-b531-4c19be67a677) But this functionality do not work like expected. If you search for 3 Terms the result gets worser... So it is very hard to find the right content, because search string is always connected with "OR" and not "AND".... ### Steps to Reproduce 1. Search with 2 Terms, like: demo magna ### Expected Behaviour Content containing both terms should be on the highest Position. Also if you use 3 or more terms... ### Screenshots or Additional Context _No response_ ### Browser Details Chrome ### Exact BookStack Version 23.10.4

OVERLORD added the 🛠️ Enhancement 🔨 Feature Request 🏭 Back-End labels 2026-02-05 08:40:22 +03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 08:40:26 +03:00

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023):

Hi @hieste,
The wording in the docs leaves out a lot of additional complexity which can affect rankings.
Content containing both terms will rank higher than other page where just one term is used in the same way, but frequency and location can also have a large impact on ranking.

I agree that it would be ideal though if we could specifically provide a score/rank boost for content that has more of the searched terms.
I'll update the title to reflect that request, and re-label this since it's really an request for enhancement to the existing system rather than a break in existing functionality.

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023): Hi @hieste, The wording in the docs leaves out a lot of additional complexity which can affect rankings. Content containing both terms will rank higher than other page where just one term is used in the same way, but frequency and location can also have a large impact on ranking. I agree that it would be ideal though if we could specifically provide a score/rank boost for content that has more of the searched terms. I'll update the title to reflect that request, and re-label this since it's really an request for enhancement to the existing system rather than a break in existing functionality.

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 08:40:31 +03:00

@hieste commented on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023):

Hello Dan,

thank you for your thoughts. I think with this addition/change the search within Bookstack is extremely improved in an instance with many pages.

Great work.

Thanks a lot...
Stefan

@hieste commented on GitHub (Dec 15, 2023): Hello Dan, thank you for your thoughts. I think with this addition/change the search within Bookstack is extremely improved in an instance with many pages. Great work. Thanks a lot... Stefan

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Reference: starred/BookStack#4362