Search policy
This policy applies to the use of Funnelback, the University search engine. Funnelback is provided by a third-party company, Squiz. This policy applies where Funnelback is used, such as the main University search. Funnelback only indexes information that is publicly accessible on the University website. This policy does not apply to third-party search providers, such as Google.
Management
- Squiz Scotland – Software provider
Squiz are responsible for hosting and providing the Funnelback software. - Digital Communications – Service providers
The Digital Communications team are responsible for configuring the Funnelback software to provide the search results via a website. The Digital Communications team are also responsible for the look and feel of the search results website.
Please contact itservicedesk@st-andrews.ac.uk for any enquiries about Funnelback.
Search results
The Digital Communications team are responsible for configuring the content that gets crawled by Funnelback. The team will try to ensure the search results are meaningful, but this is dependent on the source material being accurate, well-structured and up to date.
Due to the large number of factors that affect the ranking of search results there can be no guarantee given to the accuracy or relevance of the search results.
Missing search results
If a web page is not appearing in any search result, users may request that is included by emailing details of the URL to itservicedesk@st-andrews.ac.uk. To be included in the search results, the web page must:
- belong to the University
- be open to the public and not hidden behind a password
- not be in a test or development phase
- have a published accessibility statement
- have been approved by the University’s Change Advisory Board.
The Digital Communications team will review all submissions that meet the criteria for inclusion and configure any new entries to Funnelback in the way deemed most suitable. If the software licence prohibits inclusion, it will be at the sole discretion of the Digital Communications team as to what URLs are added or replaced in Funnelback’s search index.
Note that it can take at least 24 hours for changes to appear in Funnelback search results.
Unwanted search results
It is also possible to prevent Funnelback from displaying certain URLs. If there is an unwanted web page appearing in the search results, you can raise a support call via itservicedesk@st-andrews.ac.uk, and the call will be dealt with in line with the IT Services service level agreement.
Privacy
Funnelback captures IP addresses of individuals both internal and external to the University who make use of the website search.
The IP addresses of external users are not personal data, as the University cannot identify who the user of a device is.
The IP addresses of internal users are not considered to be personal data either as the University cannot directly identify individuals. Although there is a route to indirect identification, the link could only be established by the University undertaking specific steps which are not normally in use (and would, therefore, be an exception).
As a result, there are no privacy risks to individuals - use of this application is not intended to identify specific behaviours of identified persons.