Different seach results when logged in or not

[tgess]

If I try to search for data when I am logged it I can see all the right pages I want. If I do the same when I am not logged in I can see all the old pages that does not exist anymore and it redirects me to non existent pages. How do I change the search to work for everyone correctly even when not signed in?

[Diego]

Hello @tgess !

As I understand, your Confluence site search results are different based on the status of who is searching (logged in or not).

Having different results for Logged in or Anonymous users (Not logged in) is expected behavior. Confluence search will only display whatever is accessible for the current user.

For example:

1. We create the following pages: Page-00, Page-01, Page-02, Page-03, and Page-04
2. The pages Page-00, Page-01, and Page-02 are accessible only for User-A
3. The page Page-03 is accessible only for Anonymous Users (not logged in)
4. The page Page-04 is accessible only for User-B
5. User-A has no other permissions than to Page-00, Page-01, and Page-02
6. User-B has no other permissions than to Page-04
7. User-A logs in
8. User-A searchers for the term “Page”
9. His results will contain Page-00, Page-01 and Page-02 only
10. User-A Logs out
11. The now Anonymous user (not logged in) searches for the term “Page”
12. The results will contain Page-03 only
13. The user now logs in as User-B
14. User-B searches for the term “Page”
15. The results will contain Page-04 only

The example above was created to explain why search results are different based on who is searching at the given time.

If you need more information on Permissions, Anonymous access and our search engine, you can take a look here:

Cloud

• [Confluence Cloud] Search Confluence and find recent pages
• [Confluence Cloud] Permissions and restrictions
• [Confluence Cloud] Setting up public access

Server

• [Confluence Server] Search
• [Confluence Server] Permissions and restrictions
• [Confluence Server] Setting up public access

Note: I included our Server platform documentation in case someone from Confluence Server has a similar question and ends up in this thread.

Now, what is not exactly expected is the fact that non-existent pages are still showing in your Confluence page. Since this is not expected behavior, please allow me to ask a few questions:

1. Is there any error thrown when you try to access said pages?
2. What shows on screen when you access the pages?
3. Are logged in users able to access said pages?
4. When did this start to happen?

Looking forward to your reply!