Laravel Scout is a driver-based package that simplifies full-text search implementation in Laravel apps by syncing Eloquent models with search engines. 1. It eliminates slow LIKE queries by integrating with powerful tools like Algolia, Meilisearch, or database full-text search. 2. Key features include automatic indexing via queued jobs, a simple search syntax using the Searchable trait, and support for multiple drivers. 3. To use Scout, install via Composer, publish the config, add the Searchable trait to your model, define toSearchableArray() to specify indexed data, import existing records with php artisan scout:import, and perform searches with Post::search('query')->get(). 4. Driver choices include Meilisearch (recommended for self-hosted, feature-rich search), Algolia (scalable, paid), Database (basic, no extra services), and TNTSearch (community, SQLite-friendly). 5. Best practices include using queues for performance, customizing indexing logic, and leveraging advanced features like filtering or faceting where supported. In short, Laravel Scout acts as a bridge between Eloquent models and search engines, enabling efficient, relevant full-text search with minimal code, where you define searchable data, Scout keeps it synced, and search is performed in one line, resulting in a seamless and scalable search experience.
Laravel Scout is a Laravel package that provides a simple, driver-based solution for adding full-text search capabilities to your Eloquent models. Instead of writing complex database queries or managing raw SQL full-text indexes, Scout automatically keeps a search index in sync with your model data and lets you perform fast, relevant text searches using popular search engines like Algolia, Meilisearch, or even database-backed solutions.

Why Use Laravel Scout?
When your app grows, basic LIKE
queries in MySQL or PostgreSQL become slow and lack features like relevance scoring, typo tolerance, or faceted search. Laravel Scout solves this by offloading search logic to dedicated tools, while keeping the API easy to use within Laravel.
Scout doesn’t do the searching itself — it’s a wrapper that syncs your data and provides a clean interface to powerful search services.

Key Features of Laravel Scout
- Automatic indexing: When you create, update, or delete Eloquent models, Scout keeps the search index updated (via queued jobs).
-
Simple search syntax: Just call
Searchable
on your model and use::search('query')
. -
Support for multiple drivers:
- Algolia (officially supported, great for production)
- Meilisearch (open-source, self-hostable, fast)
- Database engine (basic full-text search using MySQL/PostgreSQL — good for small apps or testing)
- Community drivers (e.g., TNTSearch for SQLite support)
How to Use Laravel Scout (Basic Example)
-
Install Scout via Composer:
composer require laravel/scout
Publish and run the config:
php artisan vendor:publish --provider="Laravel\Scout\ScoutServiceProvider"
Add the
Searchable
trait to your model:use Laravel\Scout\Searchable; class Post extends Model { use Searchable; // Define what data should be indexed public function toSearchableArray() { return [ 'title' => $this->title, 'content' => $this->content, 'author_name' => $this->user->name, ]; } }
Import existing data into the search index:
php artisan scout:import "App\Models\Post"
Search from your controller or route:
$results = Post::search('how to use Laravel')->get();
Drivers: Choose Based on Your Needs
- Meilisearch – Best for most modern Laravel apps. Open-source, easy setup, typo-tolerant, instant search.
- Algolia – Powerful and scalable, but paid for heavy usage. Great UX and analytics.
- Database Engine – Uses native full-text search. No extra services, but limited features and slower at scale.
- TNTSearch (community) – Good for SQLite or small apps without external services.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Scout works best when paired with a queue system (like Redis or database queues), so syncing doesn’t slow down requests.
- You can customize how models are indexed (
toSearchableArray
) and filtered (search rules). - Some drivers support advanced features like faceting, filtering, highlighting — check their docs.
In short, Laravel Scout makes full-text search easy by connecting your Eloquent models to real search engines with minimal code. It’s not a search engine itself, but the bridge that lets Laravel talk to one seamlessly.
Basically: define what’s searchable → Scout syncs it → you search with one line.
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