SharePoint Online Classic Search vs Modern Search

In this blog post I will try to share the difference between Classic and Moder search in SharePoint online. Search administrators can customize the classic search experience but can do much on modern search as there are not separate search settings for the modern search experience. But certain of the classic search settings also apply to the modern search experience.

Classic sites have classic search boxes and modern sites have modern search boxes. If you believe that modern search gives your users the best experience, influence your organization to start using modern sites.

  Classic Search Modern Search
Search locations Search Center
Publishing sites
Classic team sites  
Hub sites
Modern team sites
Communication sites
SharePoint home page  
Search result Same search resultPersonal search result
Search experience Submit query to see search results Search results show up before typing and update as you type
Search result page Customizable Non-Customizable
Search settings Crawl site content Search
Schema Result source
Remove a search result
Promoted result
Site level search settings
Custom search results (display template, search web parts, query rules) 
Crawl site content
Search schema (except sortable, refinable, company name extraction)
Result source (Tenant level)
Remove search results
Promoted result (only when search across all of Share­Point)

I personally do no prefer customization on Search if there is no specific business need but if there are requirements to customize the search experience as per the business needs and user experience. If you are going to migrate from classic site to modern site then your search customizations will be impacted because as I mentioned earlier in the blog post, classic site has a classic search box and you’ve set up the search box to redirect to a custom Search Center to show results that are filtered and formatted for organization-specific content types. The modern site has a modern search box and you can’t customize the modern search experience. If you don’t need to customize search, we recommend using modern sites.

Adnan, a distinguished professional, boasts an impressive track record as a Microsoft MVP, having achieved this prestigious recognition for the eighth consecutive year since 2015. With an extensive career spanning over 18 years, Adnan has honed his expertise in various domains, notably excelling in SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, the .Net Platform, and Microsoft BI. Presently, he holds the esteemed position of Senior Microsoft Consultant at Olive + Goose. Notably, Adnan served as the MCT Regional Lead for the Pakistan Chapter from 2012 to 2017, showcasing his leadership and commitment to fostering growth within the tech community. His journey in the realm of SharePoint spans 14 years, during which he has undertaken diverse projects involving both intranet and internet solutions for both private and government sectors. His impact has transcended geographical boundaries, leaving a mark on projects in the United States and the Gulf region, often collaborating with Fortune 500 companies. Beyond his roles, Adnan is a dedicated educator, sharing his insights and knowledge as a trainer. He also passionately advocates for technology, frequently engaging with the community through speaking engagements in various forums. His multifaceted contributions exemplify his dedication to the tech field and his role in driving its evolution.

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