How can I efficiently show the number of total results per channel when retrieving search results?

Question

I have a site with a few channels each with a lot of entries. When retrieving the results from a site search, I’d like to show a paginated list of entries from all sections by default, but then have filters in a sidebar which retrieve only entries from a certain channel, again in a paginated list.

How can I initially show the total number of entries in each channel for a particular search term, without having to actually construct a query for each channel individually which would be really slow?

The behaviour would be identical to the following example where it lists the number of entries for each ‘Material type’ http://explore.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?dscnt=1&tab=website_tab&dstmp=1461161587439&vl(freeText0)=family&fn=search&vid=BLVU1&mode=Basic&fromLogin=true

Answer 1

I would try one of the following solutions:

1. Using Ajax to display the search results and the filter

   Use ajax to display your search results. After loading the search results, you'r using a second Ajax call to get the categories filter. With this solution the visitor see the results quickly and get the filter after. You could try to including caching of the filter to speed up the page. Downside: Depending on requests and amount of content, it needs still a lot of server power.

2. Writing your own Plugin

   Write your own search filter plugin with your logic and optimized SQL to get the filter faster. This solution can be combined with the first one.

3. Using a external Search Engine

   A other solution could be to use a external search engine service like Google Custom Search. Some of them offers filters/logic like you need. Craft CMS Example: On https://straightupcraft.com/craft-plugins/ the search is provided by Algolia (https://www.algolia.com/). On the right side is a simple developer filter, including number of entries. Take also a look at the Algolia Plugin to easy integrate Algolia in Craft CMS -> https://straightupcraft.com/craft-plugins/search-plus-1