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Methods to Implement Federated Search in Zendesk

Explore the two methods for implementing federated search in Zendesk: the API and search crawler, and their use cases.

What are the methods to implement federated search in Zendesk?

You can implement federated search in Zendesk using two methods: the Federated Search API and the search crawler. The API allows developers to integrate external content by building a middleware layer, while the search crawler can be configured without developer resources through the Guide's search settings.

Both methods can be used simultaneously, but if you delete a source or type via the API, any crawler updating records for that source or type will stop working. This flexibility allows you to choose the best approach based on your resources and needs.


More related questions

What is Zendesk Help Center Federated Search?

Federated Search in Zendesk Help Center allows users to see search results from external sources alongside internal help center content. This means that when users search in your help center, they can find information not only from your help center…

How does the Zendesk search crawler work?

The Zendesk search crawler indexes external content to make it searchable in your help center. It requires a sitemap of the pages you want to crawl, and these pages must be public. Once set up, the crawler runs every 12 to 24 hours, indexing…

What are the known limitations of Zendesk federated search?

Zendesk federated search has a few limitations. External content search results appear in help center searches and the knowledge section of the context panel but not in other Guide search-powered interfaces like Instant Search. Additionally, the…

Can I use both the Federated Search API and search crawler together?

Yes, you can use both the Federated Search API and the search crawler together in Zendesk. This allows you to leverage the strengths of both methods, such as using the API for authenticated content and the crawler for public content. However, be…

How can I define external content sources and types in Zendesk?

In Zendesk, you can define external content sources and types using either the Federated Search API or during the search crawler setup. These definitions help filter search results by source and type, making it easier for users to find relevant…

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