AI-driven experiences
In Sitecore Search, an experience is a visitor interaction that influences their satisfaction and future behavior. AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms analyze visitor data and indexed data to generate results through a headless model that generates engaging search and recommendation experiences.
A Search experience is created with a page and a widget. A widget is a headless configuration of data and functionality that is represented in a browser or application by a UI component. A page is a configuration containing widgets, each page being associated with either a URL or a URL pattern, and in some cases with hard filters.
The following sections describe the preconfigured experiences provided in Search. You can access the preconfigured pages in the Pages section.
Preview search experience
A preview search experience is a user experience where the visitor sees search results in real time as they enter their search terms. In Sitecore Search, this experience uses a preview search widget that displays results in a modal over other UI components.
The following image shows a preview search experience made with a preview search widget.
The preview search experience uses an auto-complete input field to trigger a pop-up that displays search results based on a preview search widget. You can create this experience on any page of any type that has an input field.
The Widgets section includes a preview search widget configured to appear on all pages by default. It has the configuration where Rfk ID represents the widget's ID and Host pages lists the pages that contain the widget.
|
Widget name |
Type |
Variations |
Rfk ID |
Host pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Preview Search |
Preview Search |
1 |
rfkid_6 |
All pages |
You can configure a preview search widget to do any of the following:
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Appear on some or all pages of your website.
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Include an input text field with auto-complete suggestions.
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Receive all the available data for every item in a response.
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Query and display search results instantaneously.
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Suggest search keywords.
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Fetch sorted and personalized results.
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Be rules-driven for optimized search results.
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Work with rules to prioritize and exclude certain items.
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Direct a visitor to more expanded search results page or an item detail page.
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Direct a visitor to any page or URL of choice.
If you want an additional preview search widget, you can create one.
Search results experience
A search results experience is a user experience where the visitor is shown a paginated list of search results, based on their search term. It includes options that allow visitors to filter and sort results as needed.
The following image of a search results experience shows the search results widget filling the entire page. On the left are facets and filters, with results listed on the right. There's a recommendations widget between the search input field and the search results list.
The Widgets section includes a search results widget with the following configuration. The Rfk ID column lists the widget's ID and the Host pages column shows that it only appears on the Search Results Page by default.
|
Widget name |
Type |
Variations |
Rfk ID |
Host pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
[Search Results Page] Search Results |
Search Results |
1 |
rfkid_7 |
Search Results Page |
You can configure a search results widget to do any of the following:
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Optionally include an input text field.
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Receive all the available data for every item in a response.
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Query and display search results using the keyword.
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Display sorting and filtering options as per the configuration.
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Display a list of facets that can be used to generate results.
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Rules-driven for optimized search results.
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Work with rules to prioritize and exclude certain items.
-
Direct a visitor to an item detail page or another specific page.
If you want an additional search results widget, you can create one.
Recommendation experience
In Sitecore Search, a recommendation experience is a user experience where the visitor is shown suggested items according to an AI and machine learning (ML) algorithm (recipe). The server response includes all the data required to display the recommendations in a variety of UI components.
The following image shows an experience made with a recommendation widget, including pagination controls at the bottom of the widget.
Recommendations can be displayed as a grid, in columns or rows, or as part of a carousel. This experience is commonly used on any type of page containing promotions, branding, or user engagement.
The Widgets section includes a number of recommendation widgets for a variety of common use cases as shown in the following table. The Rfk ID column lists the widget's ID and the Host pages column lists the pages that contain the widgets.
|
Widget name |
Type |
Variations |
Rfk ID |
Host pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
[Content Page] You May Also Like |
Recommendation |
1 |
rfkid_32 |
Content Page |
|
[Content Page] May We Suggest |
Recommendation |
1 |
rfkid_31 |
Content Page |
|
[Home Page] Recently Viewed |
Recommendation |
1 |
rfkid_3 |
Home Page |
|
[Home Page] Trending Content |
Recommendation |
1 |
rfkid_2 |
Home Page |
|
[Home Page] Personalized For You |
Recommendation |
1 |
rfkid_1 |
Home Page |
You can configure a recommendation widget to do any of the following:
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Generate and display results using a recipe from a list of Sitecore-supplied recipes listed as Sitecore recipes.
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Gender in headless mode, allowing flexible appearance without adhering to a specific layout or format.
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Receive all the available data for every item in a response.
-
Fetch sorted and personalized results.
-
Be rules-driven for optimized search results.
-
Work with rules to prioritize and exclude certain items.
-
Direct a visitor to any page or URL of choice.
-
Create a custom recipe specific to your domain or using custom attributes. Contact Sitecore Search support.
If none of these sample widgets are suitable for your needs, you can create a new one.