---
sourceDocument: Zurich ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/platform-administration

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Zing generates search results in four phases

# Zing generates search results in four phases {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read

Generate search results by dividing documents among shards, searching shard documents, scoring shard documents, and merging scores into an index.  
Zing generates search results in four phases:

1. Divide searchable documents among index shards.
2. Search and filter shard documents.
3. Score shard documents.
4. Merge shard document scores into an index.
{#c_SearchProcess__ol_ovr_1sv_kq}

## Phase 1: Divide searchable documents among index shards

When a search is executed, the system equally divides all searchable documents among 10 index shards. Each shard has a unique list of documents.

To maximize search efficiency, the system creates 10 query threads to simultaneously search each index shard.  
Figure 1. Divide documents among index shards

## Phase 2: Search and filter shard documents

Each query thread searches through its list of shard documents to identify documents that match the search criteria. For example, if you search for "<kbd class="ph userinput">wifi network</kbd>," the system returns all documents containing both "`wifi`" and "`network`" in no particular order.  
Note:  
A multiple word search is equivalent to multiple single word searches connected by an AND operator. For example, \[contains\]\[wifi\]\[AND\]\[contains\]\[network\].

The query thread assigns each matching document a numeric value (a document ID) to uniquely identify it. All other documents are ignored.

## Phase 3: Score shard documents

The query thread [scores](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cqrO8HZZUovi1FTpbJMVfQ "The Zing search engine computes document scores based on the frequency, sequence, and weight of search terms in the document.") each matching shard document.  
Figure 2. Query threads search, filter, and score shard documents

## Phase 4: Merge and sort shard document scores

The system merges the document scores into a single index and sorts the documents from highest to lowest document score. The documents with the highest document score are most relevant to the search query.  
Figure 3. Merge and sort shard document scores
**Related concepts**   

* [Available search options](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/PpTkvbh2xsxpCqGqiV8sCw "Zing offers users several search interfaces and search operators to conduct text searches.")
* [Global search finds records from multiple tables](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/0~Y~WuKbZ5jof3zO_NPSSw "Search multiple record types from a single search field.")
* [Zing filters search results with access controls](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yo~xsxZe9LRiEF5bH_ICyw "Zing filters search results to only display records the user can access.")
* [Zing computes document scores using three components](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/cqrO8HZZUovi1FTpbJMVfQ "The Zing search engine computes document scores based on the frequency, sequence, and weight of search terms in the document.")
* [Zing indexes words](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/NAl9YpUEiJzNoQczDFC9qA "Index documents by dividing them into words. Depending on the languages your instance supports, a word may be a single character such as a Chinese or Japanese pictogram or a sequence of characters separated by spaces such as with Latin, Arabic, and Pinyin languages.")
* [Zing can include attachments in search results](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oXXdLVzB2Yp7G2pIaggEEw "Search content from attachments on indexed tables. Display attachments for search results from the Knowledge [kb_knowledge] table.")
* [Zing removes stop words from queries](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/jWJRTyQrsYi~5qJ5VLX8SQ "Remove common words from search queries that don't produce meaningful results.")
* [Zing matches derived words with stemming](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/OtFhLj5MRUgPDgrjN7aGKg "Convert any multiple-character search keyword to its stem form to find derived versions of the word.")
* [Zing can expand search results with synonyms](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Fg7~Ex710hROeHhsaHzZhw "Expand search results to include additional search terms.")
* [Zing displays search suggestions as users enter search terms](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/QyIXIWg6Dxa4_xzYPGeLFA "Display possible search query completions as users enter search terms.")  
**Related reference**   

* [Features of Zing text indexing and search engine](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/vU~x~UbL5xXQbtnAZzt2TA "Enable and configure Zing text indexing and search engine features.")
* [Installed with Zing](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LPCjYyVdDqvuE6BRBnQANA "Several types of components are installed with Zing.")