Fast aharepoint 2010

Search relevance optimization includes the overall optimization of search contents and query and results refinements to yield optimized results for the end users.

The search relevance optimization involves end to end optimization of the entire index building and querying process. This includes

1. Content Refinement before Indexing
2. Relevance Ranking Tuning
3. Query Refinement Tuning

The Search relevance includes the following

1. Presentation of results and functionality on the search page
2. Configuration of content available for search
3. Query Latency
4. Sorting and Ranking of Search Results

Important Terms to be understood while understanding the search relevance

• Rank Points
• Dynamic Rank
• Static Rank
• Anchor Text
• Search Item
• Recall
• Index Schema
• Search clickthrough

Rank Points

This is the score provided to an item depending on the importance of each searchable item. The higher the rank score of an application, the higher the items appear in the search results.

Dynamic Rank

The Dynamic rank is the rank generated at the run time during the query time. it is calculated during the query time on the basis of input query phrase and the rank configuration. In FAST 2010, you can have several rank configurations which appear as different sort criterions at the search frontend.

Static Rank

This is based on the boost values that is stored in the predefined managed properties. The static rank is added to items during the indexing time. It is efficient from query performance perspective as it does not add any complexity to the query evaluation.

Since the static rank is attached to the document during the indexing time, it is independent of the query terms and hence it signifies the general importance of the document.

Anchor Text

This is the visible clickable text available in the hyperlink.

Search Item

A search Item is an item in the index which can be searched by the user. it can be a document, a database record or any other information which has been added to the index and is available for searching.

Search Recall

This is the popularity of search keyword in returning the search results. Any search item which returns  a larger set of results than the other one, has a higher Search recall.

Index

This is the database created by after indexing the content and returns an online database against which the search information can be searched.

Search Clickthrough

In FAST 2010, a click on the searched results item, associates the query with that clicked item. once the user clicks on that item, the query gets refined to include the clicked item and is known as search clickthrough.