vB Search results lacking

[Kaos]

Has anyone else noticed that when you try to "search" on a vB forum anymore the results are awful? I, having been here as a member a little while, know certain questions I've asked and gotten good answers too ages ago. When I come back to do a search to try to find the answers versus asking it again, I can never find it unless I go through page after page, even if you give exact keyword search of the thread title in quotes, the results never work.

Definitely annoying for me, but may also be bad for those that actually take the time to search for other answers, prior to posting repeat questions, and get no where. just an FYI

[Colleen]

I wonder if it can be adjusted somehow to be better.

[Red Hot Mama]

Has anyone else noticed that when you try to "search" on a vB forum anymore the results are awful? I, having been here as a member a little while, know certain questions I've asked and gotten good answers too ages ago. When I come back to do a search to try to find the answers versus asking it again, I can never find it unless I go through page after page, even if you give exact keyword search of the thread title in quotes, the results never work.

Definitely annoying for me, but may also be bad for those that actually take the time to search for other answers, prior to posting repeat questions, and get no where. just an FYI

Are you saying that you have seen this problem on other vB forums or is it just here?? Maybe it's a problem with the current vB version.

[i13]

Best is to search this way on google

"site:webtalkforums.com vb search results" you can do this with for any site indexed on google. Can't beat google in search tech.

[Zap]

I've noticed too, Kim and it isn't just here. It's on every vB forum I've done a search on.
It always with some particular word that I know was used a few months ago and searches for it turn up blank.

[Colleen]

Kim, I've changed some of our search settings and re-indexed, can you let me know if it helps at all?

[seovb]

You've gotta know how to use the system. Everyone is so used to going into google and typing what they want and getting the result and ideally every search system should be like this but its not.

To get the most from your vBulletin search experience you really need to drill down what you're searching for the most you can.

I always try to search in certain sections only first with thread titles. 8 out of 10 times I find what im looking for on the first page.

For example, dont go to the search box and do a quick search for "blogs" that word is going to appear in tons of posts and area's. Narrow that down to a certain section such as "Blogging"

It would be nice to have a google like search engine, but it's just not going to happen on most forums code structure. Instead learn to use the tools given to you! I aan't count how many times someone will say "I've searched but couldn't find it" only to go type in one keyword, narrow down to a section and find what they were looking for in 15 seconds.

[Zap]

You've gotta know how to use the system. Everyone is so used to going into google and typing what they want and getting the result and ideally every search system should be like this but its not.

To get the most from your vBulletin search experience you really need to drill down what you're searching for the most you can.

I always try to search in certain sections only first with thread titles. 8 out of 10 times I find what im looking for on the first page.

For example, dont go to the search box and do a quick search for "blogs" that word is going to appear in tons of posts and area's. Narrow that down to a certain section such as "Blogging"

It would be nice to have a google like search engine, but it's just not going to happen on most forums code structure. Instead learn to use the tools given to you! I aan't count how many times someone will say "I've searched but couldn't find it" only to go type in one keyword, narrow down to a section and find what they were looking for in 15 seconds.

I don't think you quite understand.
This is not a case of people not knowing how to search.
This is a case of items that should show in the results that do not show.

Example: I have searched for a unique word that I know was used a few months back. No results. But if I go and find the thread by other means, there's the word, plain as day.
So I ask you, what good is a search engine that can't find things?

[loco]

I almost always search within the "title" when I do searches on vBulletin boards.

[Kaos]

Well, it still gave me crap results. Definitely not just this site, other vB I hang on have same issue, but you all have exploded so much with members that maybe its even harder to find my little posts from way back when :P
I appreciate your help though C, and glad you have the same results Zap! Atleast its not just me...I DO know how to search :P j/k

[Zap]

I appreciate your help though C, and glad you have the same results Zap! Atleast its not just me...I DO know how to search :P j/k

Not just you, Kim. vB search sucks! :P

[grim]

I usually find what I am looking for

[Zap]

I usually find what I am looking for

I just did a search for the word "usually".
Can you believe it isn't anywhere in this forum?

[grim]

I just did a search for the word "usually".
Can you believe it isn't anywhere in this forum?

Or is it that it's too common of a word?

[Zap]

Or is it that it's too common of a word?

Too common???
I don't think there's any such thing in the context of searching. It just means you find more of them.
That would be like opening an encyclopedia and not being able to find the word "and" because it's too common.


Besides...
Google doesn't seem to have trouble with it...
usually site:www.webtalkforums.com - Google Search

[grim]

Too common???
I don't think there's any such thing in the context of searching. It just means you find more of them.
That would be like opening an encyclopedia and not being able to find the word "and" because it's too common.


Besides...
Google doesn't seem to have trouble with it...
usually site:www.webtalkforums.com - Google Search

Yes but VB's search engine is not Google. It's possible that VB does not allow too common of words for security purposes, server loads, etc.

[Zap]

Yes but VB's search engine is not Google.

You can say that again.

It's possible that VB does not allow too common of words for security purposes, server loads, etc.

Then I stand by my statement. vB search sucks. :P

[seovb]

I usually find what I am looking for

I never have a problem either using the method i outlined for how to use vbulletin search