Minimum Match sets how many of the words a visitor types a page must contain to count as a word match. A lower setting finds more pages. A higher one finds fewer pages that match the search more closely.
The choices
- Flexible, the default: Show more results.
- Balanced: Most words must match.
- Strict: Almost all words must match.
- Custom: your own rule, described below.
How many words a page needs, by the number of words in the search:
| Words | Flexible | Balanced | Strict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 | all | all | all |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| 10 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Any of the words will do. A search for red leather office chair swivel wheels (6 words) finds pages with any 3 of them on Flexible, 4 on Balanced and 5 on Strict.
Minimum Match decides only which pages match the words. With Search Mode set to Union, a page close in meaning can still appear with fewer of the words.
Change it
- Open Search Tuning in the settings of your index.
- Under Minimum Match, click Flexible, Balanced or Strict. It is saved at once.
- To go back to Flexible, click Reset next to Minimum Match.
Your own rule
Click Custom, type the rule and click Apply. It can be:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
3 | At least 3 words must match, whatever the length of the search |
-2 | All the words but 2 must match |
75% | At least 75% of the words must match |
-25% | Up to 25% of the words can be missing |
2<90% 5<75% | Up to 2 words: all must match. More than 2: 90%. More than 5: 75% |
Percentages are rounded down: 75% of 6 words is 4 words. Only digits, %, <, - and spaces are accepted. The i button next to Minimum Match shows the same rules in the panel.