Test Search allows you to run search queries and preview how results are returned based on your Search configuration. This is a great way to test configuration changes without switching over to your frontend experience.

Test Search is not a preview of your actual Search frontend build. It shows the results returned by the backend that will be passed to the frontend via the Search API. You'll still need to build a separate frontend to display results with branding and styling.

Navigate to Test Search

Once you select a Search experience, Test Search is available in two places:

• Test Search screen: Lands you directly on a full-screen Test Search.

  

• Configuration screens: All screens under the Configuration section show Test Search in the right panel, except the IP Filtering screen.

  

For configuration screens where Test Search is a side panel, collapse it by clicking the arrow when you need more space.

View Results Returned

Vertical Tabs: Toggle between universal search and vertical search tabs to visualize how an end user sees results for a given query. Learn more in the Yext Search Overview unit.

Direct Answers and Featured Snippets: Direct answers and featured snippets are returned in Test Search, making it easier to test and debug queries. Learn more in the Direct Answers unit.

Advanced Search Tier Feature: Direct answers and featured snippets are only available on the Advanced Search tier. See the Search Tiers reference doc for details.

See Configurations Applied

Testing Versions: Use the dropdown within Test Search to select a configuration label (Latest or Production) and run your search. Learn more about configuration labels in Create and Manage a Search Configuration.

Prompts and Popular Queries: When you click into the search bar, Test Search shows the configured prompts. As you type, it adds popular queries. Learn more in Query Suggestions.

Inferred Filters: Test Search displays which inferred filters have been applied to a query. Hover over the tooltip to see what field and value filters were applied. Learn more in the Searchable and Display Fields docs.

Advanced Search Tier Feature: Inferred filters are only available on the Advanced Search tier. See the Search Tiers doc for details.

Facets: Test Search supports facets in vertical search, allowing you to see applicable facets and apply them to results to gauge their impact. Note that this is only available in the full-screen Test Search on the home screen. Learn more in the Facets and Filters doc.

Simulate User Search

Configure additional settings to better simulate user behavior. Navigate to the Test Search screen and click the settings icon. These settings are only available in the dedicated Test Search screen.

Free-form search vs. filter search: Toggle between the two search types to better simulate the user experience. Filter search is a key feature for locators built on static filters.

Setting a search location: Change your Test Search location to simulate location-based queries (e.g., "locations near me"), simplifying debugging for administrators not in the brand's primary service area.

Passing a context object: Pass a context object to simulate targeted search results and debug query rules. This client-side context labels users with specific attributes, allowing you to use query rules to adjust results accordingly.

Edit and Debug Results

View Search Logs: After running a test search, click the dropdown next to the Edit Results button and select Debug Query to view that query's search log page, where you can see search factors and more.

View API Responses: Click the dropdown and select View Code to view the raw API request and response information. 

Edit Results: Click the Edit Results button to open the Search Merchandiser, where you can reorder entities, reorder verticals, and change featured snippets.