What is the best alternative to exclude results from a specific site collection

Question

Hi,
We want to exclude results from a specific site collection (for example http://server/sites/demo").
A few ways are being considered:
1. Copy the Local SharePoint Results Result Source and edit it not to include results from that site collection and then set the new custom result source as default.
2. Edit the Search Results WP in the "Everything" tab to exclude those results (edit the query there)
3. Set a query rule on "Local SharePoint Results" to exclude the results from the Demo Site Collection
What is the best?
keren tsur

Answer 1

Hi Keren,
Modifying the Local result  xlt will give you the most granularity but it is also arguably more challenging because of the "editing code" portion
On your search page you could append a query string via the search webpart but that may not get granular enough.
In the past I have used search scopes to exclude items in search results. Depending on the specific requirement it may be a quick and easy way to accomplish your task. it really depends on how ganular you need to get with excluding items from results.
A search scope can be setup be going to:
1. Site Actions (of the site collection you want to apply this to)
2. Click on Site Settings
3. Under site Collection Administration ( you have to be a site collection admin or farm admin to be able to see this section)
4. click on "Search Scopes"
5. Click on New Scope
6. Name it, fill out any other options you want and click "ok"
7. Click on your newly created search scope.
8. click on "new rule"
9. Fill out the fields based on your requirements and then click "OK"
10. I believe you will want to wait for a search to index to run before this scope will return any results.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Good Luck!
Alex