What is federated search?
Federated search is a technique for searching multiple data sources simultaneously, retrieving information from many different content locations with just one query and one search interface. It acts as a centralized site that connects siloed information sources and search engines, allowing users to find distinct pieces of information with the highest relevance precision.
Federated search can be implemented using search-time merging, index-time merging, or a federated search interface approach.
Benefits of federated search
- Manageable website expansion: New content or data locations can be easily integrated into the existing federated search tool, simplifying the process of adding new types of content.
- Enhanced browsability: The federated search user interface can be adapted to showcase each type of content, improving the browsing experience and promoting discoverability
- Increased reliability and security: Managing a single search engine for federated search is easier than maintaining separate search tools for each data set
- More relevant search results: Federated search optimizes relevance for each type of content, drawing from a larger volume of information to provide more accurate and relevant results
Enterprise use case of federated search
Large corporations often have websites serving various purposes and stakeholders, such as investor relations, hiring, brand awareness, and corporate social responsibility. With federated search, visitors may be able to find targeted resources or information on the relevant site, leading to lost opportunities for the company.
By implementing federated search, visitors can enter a keyword and search through all content at once, quickly finding what they need. This approach provides a more positive experience and increases the chances that the visitor will continue interacting with the company, ultimately benefiting the enterprise by reducing lost opportunities and improving user engagement.