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Search and Discovery
Elasticsearch and AEM unified search across web and video for a national sporting body
A unified, accessible search layer across AEM pages and YouTube and Brightcove video, delivered on time in a 14-week program with zero critical defects.
The numbers
Where it started
- The digital estate lacked enterprise-grade search
- Content across AEM pages, YouTube and Brightcove was not discoverable from one experience
- Fans, players, clubs and officials could not surface relevant content
- Search had to perform under the high-traffic demands of the major event calendar
How it was delivered
- 1
Ask
Keyword search with filtering, sorting and pagination, integrated with AEM's content model.
- 2
Build
Elasticsearch integration, data services and reusable AEM components.
- 3
Automate
AEM workflows and launchers for real-time index management and tagging.
- 4
Hand over
Client team managing content and search operations independently.
Scope and deliverables
- Enterprise Elasticsearch integrated with AEM as the single search layer
- Custom reusable AEM components: search bar, results listing, category, date and tag filters
- Data integration services pushing YouTube and Brightcove video into Elasticsearch indexes
- Automated AEM workflows and launchers for real-time index management and content tagging
- Responsive, WCAG 2.1 AA accessible search UI
How the pieces connect
Simplified view of the main platform and the systems it connects to.
Outcomes
- Web and video content discoverable from one experience
- Accessible search UI delivered on time
- All components, workflows and launchers operational at go-live with zero critical defects
- The client independently managing content and search after handover
Platforms and tools
What I would carry forward
Multi-source indexing needs a governed data layer; without workflow automation, index integrity degrades quickly
Content tagging discipline is foundational: relevance is only as good as the taxonomy applied in AEM
Decoupling search from AEM Oak's native query model delivers the performance needed for event-driven platforms
Accessibility must be built in from the start; retrofitting WCAG on filter and sort patterns adds rework
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