Strip non-alpha/numeric characters from search criteria

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Tagged: non-alpha/numeric characters, search

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October 9, 2018 at 10:59 am #449125

Shane
Buyer

Post count: 149

Hi there,

Just a quick query to see if it can be implemented that non-alpha/numeric characters can be stripped from search?

Basically, I have some listings that say (for example)
Shane’s Place
others
Shanes Place (no apostrophe).

It would be very useful and less complicated if GD could show results for both as it currently sees these as two different search terms.

No need to go beyond the most common non-alpha/numeric characters like apostrophes and hyphens.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Shane

October 9, 2018 at 12:12 pm #449146

Alex Rollin
Moderator

Post count: 27815

Hello,

I will flag your question for the developers in case they have a workaround for that.

October 10, 2018 at 2:39 pm #449245

Stiofan O’Connor
Site Admin

Post count: 22956

Hi Shane,

This has been asked a few times, and the answer is not easy.
If the place is called “Shane’s” place and we strip those characters then it will 100% not find it as the query will be looking to match it with the apostrophe.

I always recommend that if a listing has an apostrophe that u add a tag with the name without it.

This problem is compounded by apple a few months ago when they decided to change the type of apostrophe they use on their keyboard, so even if u try to search with one it still won’t find it as its a different type of apostrophe.

If i knew of a solution that would work for everyone then i would implement it.

Thanks,

Stiofan

October 11, 2018 at 1:36 pm #449326

Nick Gardener
Expired Member

Post count: 101

I think this is related: I find that apostrophes are breaking my search, giving a 403:

https://sembledev.wpengine.com/search-page/?geodir_search=1&stype=gd_place&s=maker%27s&snear=&spost_category%5B%5D=&svolunteers%5B%5D=&sgeo_lat=&sgeo_lon=

October 12, 2018 at 12:34 am #449394

Shane
Buyer

Post count: 149

Thanks for your explanation Stiofan.

I had not thought of using tags to address this issue as I assumed the search only looked at place names as entered.

I take it that it does search tags as well?

Thanks again

Shane

October 12, 2018 at 8:02 am #449405

Alex Rollin
Moderator

Post count: 27815

Yes, title, description, categories and tags are all searched and weighted.

October 12, 2018 at 2:10 pm #449456

Stiofan O’Connor
Site Admin

Post count: 22956

@nick, i don’t see any issue with ur link, if you have a different problem please open a new topic.

Thanks,

Stiofan

October 13, 2018 at 2:10 pm #449553

Shane
Buyer

Post count: 149

Hi Alex,

Just a quick question.

I have added the tags and they are displaying in the search autocomplete, however, when I click them they are not searching like the actual Place Names do,ie.,

Shane’s Place >> (Place – searchable)
Alex’s Place >> (Place – searchable)
Stiofan’s Place >> (Place – searchable)
Shanes Place (Tag – Not searchable)

What am I missing?
Thankss again.

October 13, 2018 at 2:26 pm #449555

Alex Rollin
Moderator

Post count: 27815

URL?

October 13, 2018 at 2:40 pm #449557

Shane
Buyer

Post count: 149

This reply has been marked as private.

October 13, 2018 at 4:05 pm #449570

Alex Rollin
Moderator

Post count: 27815

This reply has been marked as private.
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