Search suggestion

I search this site quite often for information on various topics, usually when I want information. Run through dozens of different topics and none of them apply, so I create my own topic...only to discover that the linked topics at the bottom answer my question.

Is there any way that the search options could include a similar search to what would come up if you created the topic? Rather than just doing a key-word search?

I don't know how much work it would take to implement something like this, or if it's even possible, but I suspect it is.

When you search, are you on the main forum page? https://permies.com/forums

the search is designed to look at the threads where you are.  So if you are looking for quilting but are in the fruit tree forum, https://permies.com/f/212/fruit-trees , then it will give you results in the fruit tree forum.

Most times I am searching in forums where I think the information might be found, but often on the main page. It happens quite often, and I think it would be a helpful addition to the search function.

I like to use the "Advanced Search" option.

I always use the "All Available Forums"

I also like to search for "Match the exact phrase entered" that way I don't use keywords.

If my search turns up too many replies then I might just search "Message Subject Only".

It only takes a few minutes and usually, I find what I am looking for.

So apparently I am searching wrong. If you were looking for information on using a ferment to create plant nutrients, how would you search? If you were researching forcing bolting on root crops, where would you look? Most recent examples.

I searched a number of different ways, but when I created the post on the plant nutrients, "Bionutrients" and "Fermented Plant Extracts" were two of the topics attached. Both were exactly what I needed, but neither had come up in any of my searches.

The system is obviously doing a different kind of search when it determines which posts should be attached.

I don't know if you are searching "wrong".
Quite often people don't know that there are different search options depending on where they are in the site.

It's sort of a balance.  We like perennial threads.  But also, often new threads have new ways of asking old questions that are more "modern" than 5 years ago.  So Google is going to love that thread more.  An example of me shamelessly milking google love by starting a new thread on a topic we have talked about in many threads before, but using the words that are trending right now: https://permies.com/t/163334/permaculture-home-care-cleaning/purity/stink-removing-perfume-smells-clothes

...

I don't fully know how the design is set up, but basically, it's guiding behaviour.  With help forums, quite often they have "maybe this thread will answer your question" based on the subject line.  It does a sort of search for you because people in help forums are sick of getting the same 4 questions repeated 12 times a day.

On permies, this isn't such a problem.  and if it is, the moderators have tools for merging and sculpting threads to meet our goals for this site.  That's why the similar threads is based on the body of the post and comes up after the post is finished - it guides the behaviour in the way we are trying to encourage.

I don't know if that makes sense, my brain is par-boiled in the heatwave today.  

Lauren, I don't feel you are doing it wrong.  There are just several options on how to make a search.

If I am searching for using a "ferment to create plant nutrients" I would go to the "Advanced Search".

In the first box, I would put "plant nutrients" and check the box for "Match the exact phrase entered". That resulted in 103 suggestions.

Or I might try "ferment nutrients"

I was not happy with those results so I tried that same phrase in "Composting".  I got 39 threads with 59 posts.  Which I liked.

Of the threads you mentioned one was in the "Permaculture Forum" and the other was in "Fermentation and asian natural farming Forums".  I would not have thought to search either of those forums.

I hope this has given you some helpful information.