Can sort by updated/published date be incorporated into all out of the box connectors?

cmcleod

Being able to sort by updated or published date seems to be a common request for our users. For example, when searching for tickets via the ServiceNow connector using a keyword, being able to sort to recency could be extremely helpful for a user to find the correct item they're looking for. Is there a particular reason this doesn't exist in Glean? The search algorithm is excellent so often users get what they want at the top of search, but there are definitely many use cases where a sort option would be very helpful. There appears to be something associated with "sortby:" but I can't figure out what it does.

Gleanie Kat

Hi @cmcleod - I actually don't know what that sortby filter does either. I've escalated this internally for my eng team to take a deeper look. In regards to sorting by recency - we get this request a lot so here are some thoughts as to how we approach this at Glean.

Why isn’t “Sort by date” available everywhere in Glean?

• We prioritize relevance over recency. Pure date sorting can float recent but off‑topic items to the top, which hurts quality—especially for open‑ended queries. We only apply recency when it’s clearly useful and safe.
• Current status: We’re re‑introducing a safeguarded “sort by recency” capability in Glean Chat. A sort toggle on the Search results page isn’t part of the initial plan.
• Why it’s non‑trivial: To sort by date without tanking quality, we first have to ensure results are highly relevant (via quality/“topicality” thresholds) and then order that vetted set by time. This additional layer isn’t universal yet.

Tips to get “latest” answers today

• In Chat, ask with recency cues like “latest,” “recent,” or “last,” which helps trigger recency‑aware behavior.
• In Search, use the "Updated" filter.
• Add precise filters or quoted terms to narrow the scope; recency sorting works best on tightly constrained result sets.

We’ll keep expanding recency coverage thoughtfully so you get timely results without sacrificing relevance.