---
title: "Search result boosting"
slug: "search-result-boosting"
abstract: "You use search result boosting to score some topics better than others in the index."
---
# Search result boosting
In Sitecore XP, there are two ways to boost search results - query-time boosting and index-time boosting.
## Query-time boosting
Query-time boosting lets you control the contents and ranking of the search results of individual queries at runtime. The context of the user when they invoke the search query provides information that is not available when the index is compiled, and this provides greater opportunities for dynamic interaction. For example, you can amplify or reduce the boosting value of a field when you invoke a search query based on location, visit number, persona, purchase history, and so on. Query-Time boosting is currently only available in the LINQ layer must therefore be implemented by developers.
Here is an example:
| SOLR syntax | LINQ to Sitecore |
| --- | --- |
| `_name:Sitecore^4 CMS` | `.Where(c => c.Name.Equals("Sitecore").Boost(4) \|\| c.Name.Equals("CMS"))` |
This example returns results that have the word *Sitecore* or *CMS*, or both in the item name and the items that have *Sitecore* in the item name are listed higher in the search results than the items that have *CMS* in the name.
> [!note]
> Search engines take the length of a field into consideration. an item named *CMS* could still appear higher in the search results than an item named, for example, *Sitecore is also a marketing automation tool*.
Query-time boosting:
- Is more precise than index-time boosting.
- Can be applied per query.
- Can be changed without having to rebuild the entire index.
## Index-time boosting
> [!important]
> Search result boosting works in Solr version 6.6 or earlier. However, Solr removed support for index-time boosting in Solr 7. As a result, field-level boosting is no longer supported and any boosts that are provided are ignored by Solr.
>
> In Sitecore XP 10.0.0 or later, item-level boosting relies on index-time scoring factors that are indexed in the \_\_boost field and combined with the query score using the `query _val_:__boost` function.
You can boost specific items when they are indexed. These items will get a higher score than other items. You can use boosting, for example, to promote the most popular or the most sold books in a bookshop in a search result.
Field-level boosting
Any boost values that are provided in the configuration are ignored.
Item-level boosting
The `indexing.resolveItemBoost` pipeline resolves item-level boosting. The following processors are enabled in this pipeline:
```xml
/sitecore/content
/sitecore/media library
```
The `ItemLocationFilter` processor ensures that only items in the specified locations are processed by the pipeline. You can extend this list in this way:
```xml
/sitecore/content
/sitecore/media library
/sitecore/custom
```
The `StaticItemBoostResolver` processor reads the boost value of the indexed item.
This value can also be set for all items based on a template using **__Standard Values** fields. To see the **Indexing** section of items, you must select the **Standard Fields** check box on the **View** tab in the **Content Editor**. The **Boost Value** field is in this section.
#### Rule-based boosting
The `LocalRuleBasedItemBoostResolver` and the `GlobalRuleBasedItemBoostResolver` processors provide rule-based boosting for indexed items. These two processors are both executed using the rules engine. They look up boosting rules in different locations:
- The `LocalRuleBasedItemBoostResolver` processor reads rules from the **Boosting rules** field in the **Indexing** section.
The source of the **Boosting rules** field is restricted to the following location where all boosting rules are managed:
*/sitecore/system/Settings/Rules/Indexing and Search/Item Rules*
This set of boosting rules can also be set on the **__Standard Values** level, just as other field values.
- The `GlobalRuleBasedItemBoostResolver` processor processes all boosting rules created under */sitecore/system/Settings/Indexing* and *Search/Rules/Global Rules*.
For performance reasons, use the local boosting rules as much as possible.
##### Create a boosting rule
You can create a boosting rule that is used locally per item, or a global rule. You create global boosting rules as children of the **Global Rules** item; you create local boosting rules as children of the **Item Rules** item.
To create a boosting rule:
1. Navigate to this item in the content tree:
*/sitecore/system/Settings/Rules/Indexing and Search/*
2. To create a new local item rule, right-click on the **Item Rules** item and then click **Insert,****Boosting Rule**:
3. In the **Message** dialog, enter a name for the new rule. For example, you can create a boosting rule that boosts all items in English:
4. Select the new rule and in the **Data** section, click **Edit rule**. The **Rule S****et Editor** opens:
5. Select the conditions for your rule. For example, to create a rule that boosts all items in English, in the **Item Version** section, select the where the item language compares to value condition from the list and then edit the condition as follows:
6. In the **Indexing & Search** section, select the adjust boost by select action:
7. In the Rule description section, click select and adjust the boost value. The boost value can be either a positive or a negative number.