“Boosts” can be a loaded topic among Solr users. The basic idea is to raise the relevancy score of a document in some circumstance. The details of Solr boosting can be a “black hole” where engineers disappear for hours or days. This blog post is an example.
SearchStax Site Search simplifies this picture by offering two kinds of boost features: Ranking boosts and Rule boosts. Both are multipliers applied to partial relevance scores during matching.
- Ranking: Site Search can apply a boost multiplier to the partial relevance score contributed by a field. It can also calculate a partial relevance score from a formula and then apply a multiplier.
- Rules: Site Search rules are activated by a trigger phrase found in the query. If the phrase is present, the rule can apply a Ranking multiplier to a field, or calculate a relevance score from a formula and boost it.
The critical difference is the “trigger phrase.” Rule boosts are inactive until the appropriate trigger appears in a query.
All boost multipliers are “1” by default. Ranking boosts can be set by a UI slider over the range 1-100. Rule boosts have similar sliders but for the range 1-50. In practice, one must experiment with boost values to see how much amplification is desired.
When you set boost values in Site Search, remember to scroll down the screen and Publish them.
Questions?
Do not hesitate to contact the SearchStax Support Desk.