The August 20, 2026 Site Search release includes a new Optimizely connector, plus more precise controls for crawler transformations, ranking boosts, and Smart Match Assist.
Highlights
Here are the most important customer-facing changes in this release.
- Optimizely SaaS Connector: Create an Optimizely SaaS app and follow the connector setup path to keep published content synchronized with your search index.
- Ranking Boost Numeric Inputs: Enter precise ranking values directly, including supported decimal and negative Field Value boosts.
Added
Optimizely SaaS Connector
You can now select Optimizely SaaS as the Platform and SaaS as the Version when you create an app. The app includes a Connector page with instructions for installing the SearchStax Optimizely Connector. Once installed, published content is automatically synchronized so your search index stays up to date. See Configure the Optimizely Connector for setup instructions.
Updated
Ranking Boost Numeric Inputs
Ranking Boost controls now use numeric inputs instead of sliders, so you can enter precise values directly. Decimal values are supported. Field Value boosts accept values from -10 to 100, while Search Field and Function boosts accept values from 0 to 100.
The new inputs show your existing ranking values. If you don't change them, they produce the same search results as before.
Up to Five Crawler Transformations
You can now add up to five transformations to each crawler custom field, instead of three. The Add Transformation control remains available until five transformations are configured, and existing fields with three or fewer transformations continue to work without modification. Transformations still run in the order you configure them.
Control Smart Match Assist
Smart Match Assist now has an Enable Smart Match Assist toggle on its configuration page. Smart Match Assist is disabled by default for new apps, while existing apps that are enabled retain their enabled state. You can enable or disable the feature for an app. Changes take effect after you publish the configuration.
When Smart Match Assist is disabled for an app, recommendations aren't generated or displayed, previously accepted recommendations aren't applied, and automatic Smart Match Assist email notifications aren't sent for that app. When you copy an app, the new app keeps the same Smart Match Assist setting.