---
title: Search Item (`searchItems`) Deep Dive
url: https://docs.kaltura.com/docs/rich-media-cms-apis/content-management/esearch-search-item-searchitems-deep-dive
---

## Search Item (`searchItems`) Deep Dive


These objects define *what* you're searching for within the `searchOperator.searchItems` array.

**Common Search Item Types:**

* `KalturaESearchUnifiedItem`: Searches across multiple standard fields (name, description, tags, captions, etc.). Ideal for general keyword searches.
* `KalturaESearchEntryItem`: Targets specific fields within a `KalturaMediaEntry` or `KalturaBaseEntry`.
* `KalturaESearchCaptionItem`: Searches specifically within caption content.
* `KalturaESearchEntryMetadataItem`: Searches within custom metadata fields linked to entries.
* `KalturaESearchCuePointItem`: Searches within data fields of cue points linked to entries.
* *(Similar items exist for Category, User, Group searches, e.g., `KalturaESearchCategoryItem`)*

**Key Properties for Search Items:**

* `objectType` (String): *Required.* The specific Kaltura class name (e.g., `"KalturaESearchUnifiedItem"`).
* `searchTerm` (String): The keyword, phrase, or value to search for. Ignored if `itemType` is `EXISTS` or `RANGE`.
* `itemType` (Enum `KalturaESearchItemType`): *Required.* Defines the matching strategy:
    * `1` (`EXACT_MATCH`): Matches the exact term (case-insensitive, tokenized).
    * `2` (`PARTIAL`): Allows partial word matches and utilizes synonym expansion (e.g., 'delicious' finds 'yummy').
    * `3` (`STARTS_WITH`): Matches terms that begin with the `searchTerm`.
    * `4` (`EXISTS`): Checks if the specified `fieldName` has *any* value.
    * `5` (`RANGE`): Performs a range query using the `range` property.
* `fieldName` (Enum): *Required for non-Unified items.* Specifies the target field (e.g., `KalturaESearchEntryFieldName::NAME`, `KalturaESearchCaptionFieldName::CONTENT`).
* `addHighlight` (Boolean, optional): Default `false`. Set to `true` to receive highlighted snippets in the response showing where matches occurred.
* `range` (Object `KalturaESearchRange`): *Required if `itemType` is `RANGE`.* Defines the boundaries:
    * `greaterThanOrEqual` (Integer)
    * `lessThanOrEqual` (Integer)
    * `greaterThan` (Integer)
    * `lessThan` (Integer)
    * *(Use epoch timestamps in seconds for date fields like `created_at`)*.
* `metadataProfileId` (Integer, for Metadata items): ID of the metadata profile to search within.
* `xpath` (String, optional for Metadata items): Targets a specific XML path within the metadata. If omitted, searches all fields in the profile.