Improve Universal Header Search for Books GH3048
Overall we need to better promote books when using the site search in the universal header when the Books global header is being viewed. Here is some data and an idea. There are more ideas in the comments.
** When author name searched their books appear too far down results **
When an author name is typed into the search bar often their books are found waaaay down the page, as is the case with these results when searching Molly Hashimoto and Heather Anderson:
https://www.mountaineers.org/search#SearchableText=molly+hashimoto
https://www.mountaineers.org/search#SearchableText=heather+anderson (Mud Rocks shows up but Thirst isn't even on the first page of results)
I would expect books to be shown at the very top of results, above everything else aside from their profile page.
** Add "Item Type" Select List to Universal Header Search **
As a website visitor, show me a list of content types with checkboxes next to the search box in the universal header so that I may choose the type(s) of content and my search terms in one go.
Notes:
- If viewing the Program global header, default this to "All."
- If viewing the Books global header, default this to "Book."
Jeff Bowman
shared this idea
This was completed as part of the website 4.5 upgrade in February 2024. https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/tech-update-4-5-bulk-roster-updates-practice-sessions-site-search-and-more.
Thank you for your patience and feedback.
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Laura Grange
commented
We are still seeing poor search results. One example, searched for "Mount Rainier" and no books came up. Tested from the books-side tab not logged in and logged in.
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Laura Grange
commented
"Day Hiking Mt. Rainier" the book doesn't show up in results until waaaay down the page. Should be first result.
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Laura Grange
commented
More search issues:
When searching "ATC" no ATC books show up. Would like books about the AT to show up and books published by the ATC to show up at the top of results.
When searching "Wilderness Navigation" the book doesn't show up until waaaay down the page.
When searching "Alpine Lakes Wilderness" the book shows up fourth, which is a lot better than other results, but it should still be first.
When searching "bouldering" the first result is Seattle Bouldering Project. Shouldn't be first result.
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Laura Grange
commented
When an author name is typed into the search bar often their books are found waaaay down the page, as is the case with these results when searching Molly Hashimoto and Heather Anderson:
https://www.mountaineers.org/search#SearchableText=molly+hashimoto
https://www.mountaineers.org/search#SearchableText=heather+anderson (Mud Rocks shows up but Thirst isn't even on the first page of results)
I would expect books to be shown at the very top of results, above everything else aside from their profile page.
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Darryl Booker
commented
Search function in universal header currently searches "universally." Search function on the Books side should only pull results from books. Example: Wilderness Navigation the book shows up as the 27th result - underneath various past events, blog posts, etc. If you search "Heather Anderson" you get her profile first then "Thirst" is the 47th result. This keep us from being able to drive authors and our marketing to our website
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A potentially better and easier to implement alternative is to check the Book, Merchandise, Contact, Blog, and Event by default when a search is initiated in the universal header and the website visitor in viewing the Mountaineers Books global header.
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Helen Cherullo
commented
High priority! Current setup is cumbersome and confusing for books customers, and media inquiries.
