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Search rewriting is a way of modifying search queries so that they more accurately reflect the intentions of your customers. You can create a misspelling search rewrite, for example, to correct a spelling mistake that commonly occurs when searching for a particular product. The misspelled query will then produce the same results as a correctly spelled search. There are four rewrite types:
  • Head/Tail - improves poorly performing searches.
  • Misspelling detection - corrects common spelling mistakes.
  • Phrase detection - identifies products with matching phrases.
  • Synonym detection - includes alternative words with the same meaning.
You can create query rewrite rules in Predictive Merchandiser. This is similar to using the Rules Editor to create query rewrite rules, except there are additional options in Predictive Merchandiser.
  1. In Fusion, navigate to Relevance > Rules > Merchandiser.
  2. Enter a search term or phrase in the search bar.
  3. Click Start Task.
  4. Hover your cursor next to the query. A + button will appear: Add query rewrite
  5. Click the + button. A list of query rewrites options will appear: Head/Tail, Misspelling, Phrase, Synonym, and Remove Words.

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Head/Tail

You can create a Head/Tail rewrite to improve search results using methods other than correcting for misspellings or synonym expansion. When a poorly defined search term is identified, the original term is replaced by an improved search term.For example, a search for iphone case yellow could be improved by using the search term iphone case yellow +color:"yellow" (in this case making use of the color field in the data).Most Head/Tail rewrites are typically created automatically via machine learning. However, if desired, custom rewrites can be manually created using the following steps.
  1. From the list of query rewrite options, select Head/Tail. A form will appear: Create head/tail query rewrite This form contains the following fields:
    ParameterDescriptionExample Value
    Tail QueryThe tail query itself.iphone case yellow
    Improved QueryThe query that will replace the tail query phrase.iphone case yellow +color:"yellow"
    TagsOptional metadata tags that can be used to identify and organize rewrites.blackfridaysale
  2. Enter one or more improved search terms in the Improved Query field.
  3. Click the Save button.
The search is re-run using the improved search term, and a Search box information panel drops down to show that the new query rewrite has fired:Head/tail rewrite results

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Misspelling

You can create a misspelling query rewrite to detect and correct common spelling mistakes. When a customer enters a search term containing a known misspelling, the incorrect spelling is replaced with the spelling correction.For example, if your customers frequently misspell or mistype the word sweater as sweatre, you can set up a query rewrite to automatically correct it.
  1. From the list of query rewrite options, select Misspelling. A form will appear: Create misspelling query rewrite This form contains the following fields:
    ParameterDescriptionExample Value
    Misspelled TermThe phrase itself.sweatre
    Corrected TermThe term that will replace the misspelled term.sweater
    ActionAction to perform.
    ConfidenceConfidence score from the phrase job. A confidence level of 1 represents 100% confidence. For rules created automatically via machine learning, the confidence level will reflect the output from the machine learning model.1
    TagsOptional metadata tags that can be used to identify and organize rewrites.blackfridaysale
  2. Enter one or more spelling corrections in the Corrected Term field.
  3. Click the Save button.
The search is re-run using the corrected spelling, and a Search box information panel drops down to show that the new query rewrite has fired:Misspelling rewrite results

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Phrase

You can use query rewriting to identify phrases used in search terms so that products with matching phrases are boosted in the search results. This is helpful when users do not use quotation marks to identify phrases in their search terms.For example, without phrase detection a search for the words remote control would show results for both remote and control. With phrase detection, this search would correctly boost results for "remote control".
  1. From the list of query rewrite options, select Phrase. A form will appear: Create phrase query rewrite This form contains the following fields:
    ParameterDescriptionExample Value
    Surface FormThe phrase itself.remote control
    Word CountIndicates how many words are included in the phrase.2
    ConfidenceConfidence score from the phrase job. A confidence level of 1 represents 100% confidence. For rules created automatically via machine learning, the confidence level will reflect the output from the machine learning model.1
    TagsOptional metadata tags that can be used to identify and organize rewrites.blackfridaysale
    Phrase CountDenotes how many times this phrase was found in the source. This value is automatically set via machine learning. It does not need to be set manually.5
    Boost FactorThe factor to use to boost this phrase in matching queries.2.0
    Slop FactorPhrase slop, or the distance between the terms of the query while still considering it a phrase match.10
  2. Enter the number of words in the phrase in the Word Count field.
  3. Click the Save button.
The search is re-run, with your search words identified as a phrase, and a Search box information panel drops down to show that the new query rewrite has fired:Phrase rewrite results

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Synonym

You can specify synonyms for a specified search term so that alternative words with the same meaning are automatically used in the search query. When a customer enters a search term with a synonym match, the alternative words are used instead of, or in addition to, the original search term.For example, the search term sweater could have the synonyms pullover and jumper.
  1. From the list of query rewrite options, select Synonym. A form will appear: Create synonym query rewrite This form contains the following fields:
    ParameterDescriptionExample Value
    Surface FormThe term that has synonyms.sweater
    DirectionWith a oneway search, the original search term is replaced by the synonym. In the example above, sweater would be replaced by the alternative words pullover and jumper. With a symmetric search, the search query is expanded to include the original term and the synonyms, resulting in a greater number of potential hits. In the example above, this time the query would include sweater, pullover, and jumper.symmetric
    Synonym MappingsSynonyms for the surface form.pullover, jumper
    ConfidenceConfidence score from the phrase job. A confidence level of 1 represents 100% confidence. For rules created automatically via machine learning, the confidence level will reflect the output from the machine learning model.1
    TagsOptional metadata tags that can be used to identify and organize rewrites.blackfridaysale
    CountHow many times this term occurred in the signal data when it was discovered. This value is optional when a rewrite is being defined manually.5
  2. Choose whether the direction is oneway or symmetric.
  3. Enter one or more alternative words in the Synonym Mappings field.
  4. Click the Save button.
The search is re-run using the synonyms, and a Search box information panel drops down to show that the new query rewrite has fired:Synonym rewrite results

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Remove Words

The Remove Words feature is available in Fusion 5.4 and later.
You can create a Remove Words query rewrite to remove words from a query. This query rewrite is helpful when a word in the search query does not add value to the search results.For example, you can rewrite a search query for case study examples to remove examples and then display results for case study.
  1. From the list of query rewrite options, select Remove Words. A form appears: Create synonym query rewrite This form contains the following fields:
    ParameterDescriptionExample Value
    Phrase to removeThe words to remove from the trigger phrase.examples
    Trigger phrasesThe query that prompts the removal of the phrase. The trigger phrase is not necessarily a complete query. If the query contains the trigger phrase, then Fusion removes the phrase in the Phrase to Remove field.case study examples
  2. Enter a phrase to remove and a trigger phrase. Note that the phrase to remove is auto-populated with the query.
  3. Click Save.
The search is re-run, and a Search box information panel drops down to show that the new query rewrite has fired:Remove words rewrite results

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Learn more

LucidAcademyLucidworks offers free training to help you get started.The Course for Predictive Merchandiser: Rewrites Manager focuses on using search rewrites to boost conversions and create better customer experiences by improving your relevancy:
Predictive Merchandiser: Rewrites ManagerPlay Button
Visit the LucidAcademy to see the full training catalog.
In Predictive Merchandiser you can create search rewrites manually. You can also edit, test, review and publish the search rewrites that are generated automatically in Fusion from signals data.
LucidAcademyLucidworks offers free training to help you get started.The Course for Predictive Merchandiser: Rewrites Manager focuses on using search rewrites to boost conversions and create better customer experiences by improving your relevancy:
Predictive Merchandiser: Rewrites ManagerPlay Button
Visit the LucidAcademy to see the full training catalog.