Algolia Search Integration
Patterns
React InstantSearch with Hooks
Modern React InstantSearch setup using hooks for type-ahead search.
Uses react-instantsearch-hooks-web package with algoliasearch client. Widgets are components that can be customized with classnames.
Key hooks:
- useSearchBox: Search input handling
- useHits: Access search results
- useRefinementList: Facet filtering
- usePagination: Result pagination
- useInstantSearch: Full state access
Next.js Server-Side Rendering
SSR integration for Next.js with react-instantsearch-nextjs package.
Use <InstantSearchNext> instead of <InstantSearch> for SSR. Supports both Pages Router and App Router (experimental).
Key considerations:
- Set dynamic = 'force-dynamic' for fresh results
- Handle URL synchronization with routing prop
- Use getServerState for initial state
Data Synchronization and Indexing
Indexing strategies for keeping Algolia in sync with your data.
Three main approaches:
- Full Reindexing - Replace entire index (expensive)
- Full Record Updates - Replace individual records
- Partial Updates - Update specific attributes only
Best practices:
- Batch records (ideal: 10MB, 1K-10K records per batch)
- Use incremental updates when possible
- partialUpdateObjects for attribute-only changes
- Avoid deleteBy (computationally expensive)
⚠️ Sharp Edges
| Issue | Severity | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Issue | critical | See docs |
| Issue | high | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |
| Issue | medium | See docs |