Using the Simple Search

What is it

The Simple Search is the broadest search within MemberClicks.  It is most frequently used to provide members with a quick and simple way to search for each other from within the member's only community.  It can also be used to provide public site visitors with the ability to search a directory of individual members or vendor members.

Using the Simple Search

The Simple Search provides a few different options for end users to find profiles within the directory.

This is where users enter their search criteria or terms.  Search results will include all profiles that have this information anywhere inside the profile, even it is part of a larger word.  If a user enters "Ben" in the search terms, he or she will see all the profiles that have the text "ben" anywhere in their profile.  Profiles that are displayed might have a name of Reuben or Benson, or they might be from Steubenville, PA or live on Benjamin Drive.

If you enter multiple words you can specify if you want the search results to include all the words or any of the words.  If you choose "ANY of these words", the results will include all the profiles that contain any of the items you type in.  For example, searching on "Benson Drive" and selecting the "ANY of these words" option will return profiles which contain either "Benson" and/or "Drive."  If "ALL of these words" option is chosen, then the system will find only the profiles which contain both "Benson" and "Drive" somewhere in the profile.

Here you have a drop down containing all the saved searches within your MemberClicks product.  Users can access a saved search by selecting one from the drop down list and clicking Search.  Please note, a saved search cannot be used in combination with other search terms entered above.

Depending on the users group permissions, the Simple Search page will include links to the other search options available to him or her.  In the image above, the user has the following page permissions: Simple Search, Narrow Search, View All and Advanced Search.  In addition to the other search pages, the user will also see available search filters.  The additional options a user will see can be adjusted by navigating to Database > Group Management > Page Permissions.

Quick Tips

1. Although the Simple Search is the broadest way for members and site visitors to search the directory, it still is subject to the group permissions configured in Attribute Security.  For example, let's say the public has permission to view the Contact Name field of the Professional Member group, but the public does not have permission to view the Address 1 field.  When a public user searches for "Benjamin," the search will return profiles with "Benjamin" in the Contact Name field, but it will not return profiles which have "Benjamin Drive" in the Address 1 field.

Continuing the example above, let's assume the Student Member group has permission to view both the Contact Name field and the Address 1 field fo the Professional Member group, when a Student Member searches for "Benjamin" his or her results will include both profiles which have "Benjamin" in the Contact Name field and those which have "Benjamin Drive" in the Address 1 field.

2. Because the Simple Search is frequently used by members to find each other, it's best used when added as a menu item in the members only section or as a link on the members only landing page.