If you’ve recently searched on the AAP website, www.aap.org, you may have noticed that the search page looks and responds differently, and there’s a good chance you found what you were looking for.
Thanks to feedback from members, the website search architecture reflects how users look for information. You can expect continuous refinements to the search page as adjustments are made based on user comments and search term analytics.
Members are urged to visit the search page, https://services.aap.org, and offer comments on their search experience by clicking the Provide feedback tab on the right. The Quick Start Guide (below) will help navigate the context dropdown, filters and advanced search functions — tools to narrow searches for optimal results.
Eventually, members will be able to search across all AAP content, including AAP policy, HealthyChildren.org, AAP News, journals and publications.
Initial feedback on the new search has been positive, based on user testing during the recent Annual Leadership Forum.
“The search engine is phenomenally better than it was before,” said Katherine Williamson, M.D., FAAP, of Newport Coast, Calif.
David M. Kanter, M.D., M.B.A., FAAP, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., commented, “The look of the search is a lot cleaner.”
Improvements to AAP.org reflect the early efforts of the Academy’s Digital Transformation Initiative (DTI), AAP leadership’s commitment to overhaul the organization’s digital platforms and communications to meet members’ educational and informational needs.
Members should anticipate continuous improvements to the search function and across the digital platforms. In addition to the website search, work also is underway on the My Account pages and CME Transcripts.
Members can monitor progress on the DTI at www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-facts/Pages/Digital-Transformation.aspx.
AAP.org Search Quick Start Guide
1.Change the context of your search.
Using the context dropdown within the search bar on the results page, you can narrow the area in which you're searching .The default will be set to "All AAP."
2. Select a suggested result.
When you perform a search, there will often be a "Did you mean ..." result below the search bar which can offer similar or related searches performed by other users based on your query.
3. Try advanced search tips.
Using Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT, and quotations will include or exclude specific words or phrases. AND, OR and NOT must always be entered in all caps.
4. Sort your results.
Results will automatically be returned as "Most Relevant." You can also sort results chronologically and alphabetically.
5. Filter your results.
The filters in the left sidebar change based on which context you're searching, so you may not find the filters you're looking for in the current search context. Filters will also dynamically change depending on your previous selections.
6. Use the Feedback widget.
Not finding what you're looking for or need additional filters? Let us know by sending your thoughts through the "Provide Feedback" tab on the right side of the page.
Spread the word!
The search application is constantly learning from users' interactions. The more people who use it, the more accurate and relevant the results will be.
