Explore+: Standard vs. Optimized Searches

When using Explore+ in Meltwater, you have two types of searches available: Standard Searches and Optimized Searches. Here's what each one means and how they differ:

Standard Searches

Standard Searches are live searches that run directly on Meltwater’s central media database. They’re fast, flexible, and great for day-to-day content discovery across global news, social media, and online sources.

You can use Standard Searches to:

• View results in Analytics and Insight Pages

• Apply Tags and Custom Categories for basic organization

• Save and access them in your Workspace

Keep in mind:

• Some advanced features are not supported with Standard Searches:

  • Discovery (AI-suggested themes and topics)

  • Custom Fields (advanced metadata tagging)

  • Emerging Terms and AI-powered widgets in Insight Pages

Creating a Standard Search

 Standard searches are created in Explore. Learn more about creating a Standard Search.

Note: To create a search in Explore, you must have admin permissions

Using a Standard Search in Explore+ Analytics

Note: To use a Standard Search in Explore+ Analytics, you must have Administrative or Viewer access in Explore+

1. Click the Explore+ drop-down in the left-hand navigation bar
2. Select Analytics
3. Click the Searches drop-down in the top left-hand corner
4. Select Standard Searches

5. Select your search
6. Click Apply

Notes and limitations 

• One search type per widget: You can only select one type of search per card (standard or optimized). If you try to mix them in a single widget, you’ll see a warning message:
  • “You can only select from one search type. Continuing will clear your Explore search selection.”
• Mix types across widgets, not within: While you can’t combine search types in a single widget, you can absolutely use both types side by side in different widgets on the same Insight Page.

Optimized Searches

Optimized Searches power your organization’s private Explore+ index, meaning your search results are stored and enhanced over time for deeper insights and analysis.

Why it’s powerful:

• Searches are indexed and enriched, enabling richer filtering and reporting

• Supports advanced features like:

  • Custom Fields

  • Discovery

  • Emerging Terms

  • AI-powered Insights widgets in Insight Pages

• Ideal for in-depth media analysis, trend tracking, and long-term reporting

Best for:

Users who want deeper, more customized insights and advanced analytics capabilities.

Learn more about a Private Index:

Using an Optimized Search in Explore+ Analytics

1. Click the Explore+ drop-down in the left-hand navigation bar
2. Select Analytics
3. Click the Searches drop-down in the top left-hand corner
4. Select Optimized Searches
5. Select your search
6. Click Apply