---
title: Get started with Search & Navigation
slug: cms-12/docs/get-started-with-optimizely-search-and-navigation
createdAt: 2026-08-10T15:56:03.000Z
---

Optimizely Search & Navigation is a cloud-ready extension that lets you build advanced customized search features based on your content model. You can also use [Optimizely Graph](docId\:aM0WpNsNXe_n26IhkX5sG), which uses uses GraphQL to provide powerful search and filtering capabilities. If you use the Optimizely Digital Experience Platform (DXP), Optimizely Search & Navigation is automatically included in your installation. Otherwise, it requires a separate license.

You can use basic query-based search features in Optimizely Content Management System (CMS) based on the [Lucene](http://lucene.apache.org/core/) search engine for non-cloud environments. To use this search functionality, the NuGet packages `EPiServer.Search.Cms` and `EPiServer.Search` must be installed; see [Install and deploy Search Service (Legacy)](docId\:Wi2RIYcCRxZq--MybNAEg). Search in Optimizely Commerce Connect is also based on Lucene.

## Search functions

Optimizely Search & Navigation includes the following functionality:

- [Multi-language stemming](docId\:nRvDDycsooo2dA_3_3g4-)
- [Best Bets](docId\:IyEn_CTfLsWDZ4oMLIknO)
- [Related queries](docId:7r4HSOlhO7WN3tgH3zwHm)
- [Highlighted summaries](docId\:VUFjI6VTgIvmQwNLx2_dj)
- [Autocomplete](docId:1eRFqbNrgBNmFoUTtvb_l)
- [Search in files or attachments](docId\:HlCi4_i5nQRzkn4oiK7SO)
- [Custom weighting of results](docId\:cX_OBfT4KC8a42TOvTrpC)
- [Statistics](docId:1eRFqbNrgBNmFoUTtvb_l)

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
To ensure maximum availability and scaling flexibility, Optimizely Search & Navigation uses *dynamic IP ranges*. If you for example require whitelisting of IP addresses in the firewall, make sure that your firewall supports domain-based whitelisting.
:::

## Architecture

Optimizely Search & Navigation consists of a back-end software service and a front-end facing client used to build the site search functionality. Various integration options for integrating Search & Navigation with Optimizely Content Management System (CMS), Optimizely Commerce Connect, and other platforms are available. Optimizely Search & Navigation is the default search solution when running CMS using the [Optimizely Digital Experience Platform cloud service](docId\:stNTOCwlyabMLz23pwQ7S).

Numerous back-end systems, based on modern infrastructure components, are used behind the scenes for provisioning, indexing, querying, and monitoring the service.

### Provisioning of service account and index

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/ch8Q03nUlozjF4nuTuHk0_9167dba-searchnav-provisioning-mm.png)

### Indexing content

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/7aXAv9tI0H130wG7w1zLF_e2cddc5-searchnav-indexing-mm.png)

### Querying content

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/ifyt3IM81VcA5YdRJDOKK_45c3e3c-searchnav-querying-mm.png)

## Integration

Optimizely Search & Navigation is the foundation for search functionality in CMS and Optimizely Customized Commerce. A .NET-based client API integrates it and interacts with the REST API.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/16b6COuuo-lErQ2DK-SB2_50f7539767b088882a0650cf4ae8725076a58d182fde3de3d4969e0e7d83ad00-sn-request-response.png)

:::hint{type="warning"}
**Important**
Optimizely Search & Navigation does not support direct use of the JSON API, as there is no way to secure the connection without exposing the access key. In general, **do not** implement client-side requests directly to Optimizely Search & Navigation.
:::

```json
"Find": {  
  "DefaultIndex": "your_idex",  
  "ServiceUrl": "service_url",  
  "LanguageMaps": {  
    "nn": "no",  
    "nb": "no"  
  }  
}
```

## Build a resilient solution

Many solutions depend heavily on functionality like search-based landing pages.

### Reliable service

You should count on the reliability specified in your service level agreement (SLA). Nevertheless, as search is a central part of a solution, you should implement a graceful degradation strategy if the Search & Navigation service becomes unavailable.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**
If Optimizely is not hosting Search & Navigation, Optimizely cannot guarantee the connection between an application and the Search & Navigation service.
:::

### Leave the search-generated page sections blank

For example, a page lists the most watched products fetched from Optimizely Search & Navigation. If Optimizely Search & Navigation is down, display a blank list.

- **Advantage** – Simple to implement.
- **Disadvantage** – The site does not display the expected information.

### Implement query caching

See [query caching](docId\:ZN-Q38zT-7OGJyYzlkzf3)

- **Advantages**  – Relatively simple to implement. The site works in many scenarios even if Optimizely Search & Navigation is down.
- **Disadvantage** – Development effort required.

### Use FindPagesWithCriteria as back-up

See [FindPagesWithCriteria](docId:_o-Cg2yKfL0Lmy8MsirE0).

- **Advantage** – The site works even if Optimizely Search & Navigation has issues.
- **Disadvantages** – It takes longer to implement. The site is significantly slower.