Location Search & Radius Search
Introduction
Gravity Search includes built-in proximity search capabilities, allowing users to search entries based on their distance from a specific location. Visitors can enter an address, use their current location, define a search radius, and instantly find matching entries located within the selected distance.
Location Search works with geocoded locations stored by the Target Form and can search one or multiple location sources simultaneously.
Configuring Location Search
Enable Proximity Search
Enable Proximity Search to allow Gravity Search to calculate distances between the user's search location and geocoded locations stored with Target Form entries. Once enabled, additional location search settings become available.
Location Data Sources
Location Data Sources determine which geocoded locations stored with Target Form entries participate in proximity searches. A Target Form can store multiple geocoded locations for each entry. For example:
- Home Location
- Work Location
- Warehouse Location
- Retail Location
You can configure the Search Form to search one or multiple location sources depending on your requirements. This allows multiple Search Forms connected to the same Target Form to provide different location-based search experiences.
Address Field
Select the Search Form field that will collect the location used for proximity searches. Users can enter an address, city, postal code, or other location information depending on how the field is configured.
Address Autocomplete
Enable Google Places Autocomplete to provide address suggestions while users type. Autocomplete improves search accuracy and helps ensure valid locations are used for distance calculations.
Autocomplete Countries
Restrict address suggestions to specific countries when necessary.
Autocomplete Language
Define the language used by Google Places Autocomplete.
Locator Button
The Locator Button allows users to automatically detect their current location using their browser's geolocation capabilities. This is especially useful for store locators, service finders, and location-based directories.
Radius Field
Select the Search Form field used to collect the search radius. Users can specify how far from the entered location Gravity Search should search for matching entries.
Radius values can be entered manually or selected from predefined options.
Units Field
Select the Search Form field used to collect distance units. Supported units include:
- Miles
- Kilometers
If no Units Field is configured, Gravity Search will use the default units defined in Search Defaults.
How Radius Search Works
When a visitor performs a search, Gravity Search geocodes the search address and calculates the distance between that location and the selected geocoded location sources stored with Target Form entries. Entries located within the specified radius are returned in the search results.
Distance calculations can also be displayed in search results, maps, and details views when configured.
Common Use Cases
- Store Locators
- Business Directories
- Property Searches
- Service Provider Directories
- Event Searches
- Pickup Location Finders
Any application that requires finding entries near a specific location can benefit from Location Search and Radius Search.
