Search Refinement Guide

Overview

Search refinement in Sila TrueTrends allows you to dynamically adjust and improve your search results through iterative term management and smart suggestions. This guide covers techniques for refining searches to find exactly what you need.

Dynamic Search Terms

Adding Search Terms

How to Add Terms

After initial search:

1. Review results
2. Enter additional keyword
3. Results update automatically

When to Add Terms

• Results too broad
• Missing specific aspect
• Want related concepts
• Following suggestions
• Exploring connections

Editing Search Terms

Edit Existing Terms

1. Click pencil icon on term
2. Modify the text
3. Press Enter or checkmark
4. Cancel with X if needed
5. Results refresh

Why Edit Terms

• Fix typos
• Try variations
• Broaden/narrow term
• Test synonyms
• Adjust specificity

Removing Search Terms

How to Remove

1. Click X on term bubble
2. Term disappears
3. Results update
4. Can re-add anytime

Strategic Removal

• Eliminate noise
• Focus results
• Test term impact
• Simplify search
• Clear irrelevant

Search Term Management

Term Relationships

Understanding Term Logic

• Multiple terms: OR relationship
• More terms: Broader results
• Fewer terms: Focused results
• Related terms: Better context
• Specific terms: Precise matches

Term Combinations

Effective combinations:

• Core term + modifiers
• Category + attribute
• Problem + solution
• Trend + demographic
• Time + topic

Term Optimization

Finding Better Terms

1. Review top results

   • Note common words
   • Identify patterns
   • Find terminology

2. Check related topics

   • Sidebar suggestions
   • Bottom recommendations
   • Category terms

3. Use trend language

   • Industry terms
   • Consumer phrases
   • Technical names

Term Refinement Process

1. Start with initial term
2. Review results
3. Add clarifying term
4. Remove broad term
5. Continue until optimal

Related Topics Feature

Understanding Related Topics

What Are Related Topics?

• System-suggested terms
• Based on current search
• Contextually relevant
• Data-driven recommendations
• Click to explore

Types of Relations

• Synonyms: Alternative terms
• Categories: Broader groups
• Attributes: Characteristics
• Trends: Connected patterns
• Demographics: User groups

Using Related Topics

Quick Exploration

1. Review related topics list
2. Click interesting term
3. Adds to current search
4. Or replaces search
5. Discover connections

Strategic Use

• Find missing angles
• Discover terminology
• Broaden perspective
• Validate assumptions
• Uncover opportunities

Keyword Distribution Analysis

Understanding the Distribution

What It Shows

• Term frequency in results
• Relevance weighting
• Topic clustering
• Semantic connections
• Coverage gaps

Reading the Data

• High frequency: Core topics
• Medium frequency: Related
• Low frequency: Peripheral
• Missing: Opportunities
• Clusters: Connections

Using Distribution Insights

Refine Based on Distribution

1. Identify dominant terms
2. Add underrepresented
3. Remove overrepresented
4. Balance coverage
5. Fill gaps

Distribution Patterns

• Even: Broad topic
• Peaked: Specific focus
• Multi-peak: Subtopics
• Long tail: Diverse
• Sparse: Narrow

Refinement Strategies

Progressive Refinement

The Funnel Approach

1. Start broad: General term
2. Add context: Industry/category
3. Specify details: Attributes
4. Target audience: Demographics
5. Final focus: Specific need

Example Progression

1. "products"
2. "products functional"
3. "products functional energy"
4. "products functional energy natural"
5. "products functional energy natural millennials"

Lateral Refinement

Exploring Sideways

Instead of narrowing:

1. Replace terms with related
2. Try parallel concepts
3. Explore alternatives
4. Test synonyms
5. Discover connections

When to Use

• Stuck with results
• Need fresh perspective
• Exploring options
• Competitive research
• Innovation scouting

Comparative Refinement

Split Testing Terms

1. Save current search
2. Try alternative terms
3. Compare results
4. Note differences
5. Choose best approach

Comparison Method

• Search A vs Search B
• Term set 1 vs set 2
• Broad vs specific
• Technical vs consumer
• Past vs present

Smart Suggestions

Suggestion Types

Auto-Suggestions

Appear while typing:

• Common completions
• Popular searches
• Recent searches
• Trending terms
• Spell corrections

Contextual Suggestions

Based on current search:

• Related concepts
• Narrower terms
• Broader categories
• Trending related
• Missing elements

Following Suggestions

Best Practices

Try top suggestions Note recurring terms Explore unexpected Test combinations Learn from patterns

When to Ignore

Unrelated to goal Too broad/narrow Duplicate concepts Wrong industry Outdated terms

Refinement Patterns

For Different Goals

Market Research

1. Industry term
2. Add demographics
3. Add geography
4. Add time frame
5. Add competitors

Trend Discovery

1. Broad category
2. Add "emerging"
3. Add time filter
4. Remove mature terms
5. Focus on growth

Problem Solving

1. Problem statement
2. Add solutions
3. Add constraints
4. Add stakeholders
5. Focus on feasible

Innovation Scouting

1. Technology term
2. Add applications
3. Add industries
4. Remove conventional
5. Focus on novel

Advanced Refinement

Semantic Refinement

Using Meaning

• Understand intent
• Use context clues
• Apply domain knowledge
• Consider connotations
• Think conceptually

Semantic Strategies

• Hypernyms (broader)
• Hyponyms (narrower)
• Meronyms (parts)
• Holonyms (wholes)
• Synonyms (similar)

Iterative Refinement

The Cycle

1. Search
2. Analyze
3. Refine
4. Search again
5. Repeat until satisfied

Learning Loop

• Note what works
• Remember failures
• Build term library
• Document patterns
• Share insights

Troubleshooting Refinement

Terms Not Helping

Solutions

1. Remove and try alternatives
2. Check spelling/variations
3. Use simpler terms
4. Try industry language
5. Reset and restart

Conflicting Terms

Identify Conflicts

• Opposing concepts
• Different industries
• Time mismatches
• Geographic conflicts
• Demographic clashes

Resolution

1. Remove conflicting term
2. Use one at a time
3. Create separate searches
4. Find middle ground
5. Clarify intent

Over-Refinement

Signs

• Too few results
• Missing obvious matches
• Over-specific
• No flexibility
• Dead ends

Solutions

1. Remove restrictions
2. Broaden terms
3. Use fewer terms
4. Increase threshold
5. Start fresh

Mobile Refinement

Touch Controls

• Tap to add terms
• Swipe to remove
• Long press to edit
• Pinch to see all
• Drag to reorder

Mobile Tips

• Use voice input
• Save term sets
• Use suggestions
• Keep terms visible
• Quick clear option

Related Guides

• Basic Search
• Advanced Filtering
• Chat-Based Search
• Trends Analysis