Switching from Solr to Algolia + OpenAI

The Challenge

A large non-profit organization using Drupal was facing growing frustration with its outdated Solr-based search. Users struggled to find relevant content quickly, and the rigid keyword-based system didn’t support the intuitive, natural-language queries that modern audiences expect. Search accuracy, speed, and experience were no longer meeting usability goals, especially as content volume increased. The organization needed a smarter solution.

Our Algolia+OpenAI Solution

To address these limitations, we replaced the legacy Solr search with a modern solution combining Algolia for high-performance indexing and OpenAI for natural language enhancements. This combination provided a powerful, AI-driven user experience, fully integrated into the existing Drupal infrastructure.

Algolia Integration
We implemented Algolia’s hosted search API to deliver instant, typo-tolerant results and customizable relevance ranking. Its fast indexing and real-time updating helped support the dynamic needs of a large content-driven site.

OpenAI Natural Language Layer
To enhance the search interface, we integrated OpenAI’s language model. It interprets user intent and reformulates vague or conversational queries into effective search requests. This enabled a smoother, more intuitive experience—especially helpful for non-technical users or visitors unfamiliar with internal terminology.

Custom Drupal Module
We developed a custom Drupal module to bridge data between Drupal, Algolia, and OpenAI. This ensured consistent content sync, query transformation, and seamless UX within the site’s theme.

Tools and Technologies

Drupal (10) for CMS and custom module development

Algolia for real-time, relevance-based search indexing

OpenAI API for natural language understanding and query rewriting

Custom API layer for intelligent fallback and search logging

Automated testing to validate speed and accuracy across various search types

The Results

Improved User Experience: Users now find content faster, using natural language instead of rigid keyword matches.

Increased Engagement: Bounce rates dropped as visitors interacted more deeply with search results.

Scalable Infrastructure: Hosted solutions scaled effortlessly with traffic and content growth.

Insightful Analytics: Integrated logging helped the team track search effectiveness and adjust editorial content to match user intent.

Conclusion: Future-Proofing Search on a High-Traffic Drupal Site

By replacing Solr with a smart combination of Algolia and OpenAI, we created a search experience that feels modern, responsive, and human. This AI-driven upgrade helped the non-profit better serve its audience—without overhauling its existing Drupal foundation.

Looking for a smooth and secure Drupal migration? Contact us today to ensure your platform remains efficient and future-proof.