Faceted Search concepts
Understanding the data flow makes configuration easier: a context selects candidates, facets narrow them, and the result template displays the indexed objects that remain.
Context
A context is the stable identity of a query. Archive contexts are discovered from WordPress. A Custom query context corresponds to a saved query from Settings → POM Theme → Content model → Database queries.
Every facet ID belongs to one context. Copy the generated ID from Edit context and use that exact value in Faceted Search Facet.
Source and facet type
The Source answers “which stored value should be filtered?” The Type answers “how should visitors choose it?”
For example, a resource_topic taxonomy can be presented as Checkboxes, Dropdown, Hierarchy, or Searchable select. Changing the interface does not change the meaning of the underlying data.
Index
The index contains the values used to count and filter candidates. It also carries result-card content chosen under Indexed native fields and Indexed metas.
Taxonomies are indexed automatically for configured facets. Custom meta used only by a result card must be declared separately under Indexed metas. Mark a meta as Gallery only when the field contains a gallery that the result template must render.
Results instance
The Listings (Feed) element creates the live result container. Its Query type and selected custom query determine the matching context. Set Use with faceted search? to Yes.
Controls placed near that result container share its state. In manual mode, changes stay pending until Faceted Search Submit is activated.
URL state
POM writes selected values as pf_<facet-id>. Extra controls use parameters such as pf_sort, pf_per_page, and pf_page. Exclude-mode selections also write pfm_<facet-id>=exclude.
Do not hand-author these parameters. Configure the interface, make a selection, and copy the URL generated by the page.
A reliable planning order
- Decide which WordPress query owns the results.
- List the fields that visitors understand.
- Normalize those fields in content before building filters.
- Choose the source for each field.
- Choose the smallest suitable visual type.
- Decide what each result card needs.
- Index, compose the page, and verify combinations.
Continue with Choose the content and query source or Connect facets to content fields.