How to Use the Internal Search Data Report

At the top of the dashboard, scorecards display key metrics such as the total number of users, sessions, internal searches, link clicks, and click-through rate (CTR). These provide a quick overview of how users are interacting with the search tool and the effectiveness of the search results.

The Internal Search & Click Data table breaks down specific internal search interactions. It includes details like the page path, search term (if available), whether users clicked on a result, and other key performance indicators such as average time on page and click-through rate (CTR). This detailed view helps identify which search queries are generating user engagement and which may need improvement to drive better content interaction.

At the top of the dashboard, filters allow you to customize the data being analyzed. Available filters include:

• Date Range: Focus on specific time periods to identify trends over time.
• Page Path: Filter by individual pages to see how users interact with search on specific sections of the site.
• Department Site Selector: Narrow the data by specific departments or sections of your site.
• Internal Search Query: Focus on specific search terms to see how they are performing in terms of engagement and click-through rates.

These filters allow for more refined analysis, helping you understand specific behaviors and trends in user search activity.

• Insight: High engagement with specific search queries indicates strong user interest in certain topics or areas of your site.
• Action: Use this data to enhance content related to popular search terms such as academic programs, admissions information, financial aid, or campus resources. This could involve updating or expanding program descriptions, improving navigation to key sections like application portals or program requirements, or highlighting related resources such as student success stories, scholarships, or career pathways. Ensuring a streamlined user experience will help prospective students, current students, and faculty find relevant information quickly and efficiently.

• Insight: Low click-through rates (CTR) on certain search queries suggest that users are not finding the expected information from search results.
• Action: Revise or expand content on pages associated with frequently searched but low-engagement terms, such as academic programs, admissions processes, or campus services. Ensure that these pages are easy to navigate and that the search results accurately reflect user intent by refining metadata, improving search tags, and optimizing the internal search algorithm. This can help users find relevant information on programs, application steps, or student resources more efficiently.

• Insight: Frequently recurring search terms that do not lead to clicks or user engagement indicate unmet user needs.
• Action: Review search terms that show high interest but low engagement to ensure relevant academic program pages, admissions information, or student resources are easily accessible. Consider updating academic program descriptions, course offerings, or faculty profiles to address student interests, or create specific guides or resource pages to help prospective students, current students, or faculty find the information they are seeking more effectively.

• Insight: Over time, trends in internal search queries can provide insights into changing user interests or seasonal patterns.
• Action: Use trend data to align your content strategy with current user behavior. If certain search queries increase during specific periods, ensure your content is updated and easily accessible during those times.

• Insight: Repeated searches for terms that do not have corresponding content on your site can reveal content gaps.
• Action: Leverage this data to develop new content that addresses these underserved topics. Focus on building out resources or pages that directly answer users’ queries, such as new program descriptions, application guides, or faculty profiles, to improve the overall search experience and ensure that users can find the information they seek.