Confluence search returns incorrect results when question mark is used

[William Wynn]

When performing a search in Confluence, if there's a question mark connected to a word, that word will not properly be searched. This issue does not happen with a period or an exclamation point.

This issue does not occur on the "Pages" quick search, but only if you click through to the actual full search page.

I noticed this issue because of the Jira Service Desk Widget where users are encouraged to ask a question and may include a question mark. I traced the actual issue to the confluence dosearchsite.action page.

To reproduce this, pick any word that exists in your wiki and try the following searches:

• word
• word.
• word!
• word?

Also, Even if you don't connect the question mark to a word, it will still change the results because the question mark is treated as its own independent word. Try this search and see the difference:

• word ?

[Brant Schroeder]

William,

  ? is used as part of Confluence search syntax.  It is used to replace a single character.  From their documentation - To replace a single character in your search, use a question mark (?) as a wildcard, For example, to search for 'butter', 'bitter', 'better', or 'batter'. Use b?tter.

You can learn more here: https://confluence.atlassian.com/doc/confluence-search-syntax-158720.html

[William Wynn]

This is not helpful for users on a public wiki. It's unfortunate they chose such a common character and broke usability for the common user at the sake of the power user.

Users on a public wiki are looking for quick easy answers. There is a 0% chance they will know or care about this feature. To them it means they will get the wrong result.

Side note, an easy way to fix this "bug" and still support the wildcard would be for it to match both any character or no character. To use your example word, have it match both "butter" and "btter"

[Brant Schroeder]

I do not know of a way to exclude certain search operators.  Atlassian support might be able to let you know if this is something that can be changed in a config or not.

[Sarah Larson]

Popping in for the sole purpose of saying that this "bug" still exists and is still ruining the ability to perform basic wiki searches in 2024.