There are several reasons a category might not show up in search:
- Category type not included in search results: Check what type of category it is: only custom content and topic display categories are indexed for search. Default, blog style, and URL redirect categories aren't currently indexed for search.
Workaround
If you have another category type that you'd like to show up in search, create an article with the same name that is hidden from navigation and redirects to your category URL. This way, the article shows up in search but opening it takes readers to your category. - Category edited to exclude from search results: If it's a custom content category or a topic display category, check the category's Display Settings. If the Exclude from search results box is checked, that prevents the category from showing in search results. Uncheck it and save to get your category back in search.
- Search settings edited to exclude from search results: If it's a custom content category or a topic display category and that Exclude from search results box isn't checked, go to KB settings > Search and synonyms > General settings tab. In the Reader controls section, check if the Exclude category section lists this category or one of its parent categories. If it has, the category can't be shown in search results, and you'd need to remove this category from being excluded or put it in a different parent category to have it show up. Refer to Excluded category for more information.
- If you have a custom content category or topic display category that isn't showing in search and you've tried all of the above steps, contact us for more help figuring out what's going on!
