Understanding Search Methods for Exhibitors, Libraries & Seminars – ASP Knowledge Base

When adding Exhibitor, Library, or Seminar widgets in the CMS, you’ll see a dropdown offering three different search options.

Each option controls how users can search or filter content on your website.
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the right one.

🧭 1. Faceted Search (Filter = OR → then AND)

Best for:
✔ Browsing
✔ Large datasets
✔ Visitors who want to explore options

How it works:
Faceted search lets users combine multiple filters (categories, types, sectors, etc.) to narrow results.

Within a single filter group (e.g., “Categories”), selecting multiple values uses OR logic
→ Show me Exhibitors in Retail OR Fashion.
Across different filter groups, the system uses AND logic
→ Show me Exhibitors in Retail OR Fashion AND who are from Germany.

What this means:
Users can explore content by choosing different combinations of filters, making it ideal for directories and large lists.

Best for:
✔ Users looking for exact matches
✔ Precise, multi-keyword searches

How it works:
Visitors type keywords (e.g., “organic skincare”), and results will only include entries that mention all the entered terms.

Example:
Search: red eco-friendly
→ Only results containing both words will appear.

What this means:
This option is strict and returns fewer but more precise results.

Best for:
✔ Broader searches
✔ Users unsure of exact terms
✔ General content discovery

How it works:
Visitors enter keywords, and results will show entries that match any of the words typed.

Example:
Search: red blue green
→ Shows results containing red OR blue OR green.

What this means:
This produces a wider set of results and is more forgiving.