There are a multitude of API consumers out there that would expect this kind of behaviour by default. For example, reader apps like our native apps, and other third party apps, would likely prefer the forwarding to happen automatically without having to write additional code.

That said, there are also a multitude of API consumers that would not prefer this kind of behaviour. Examples of this include people that are looking for things and expecting to find zero results, which includes a lot of scripts run by advanced users and external services like Lagotto. If the default were changed, they would have to write additional code to handle it.

I'm prepared to make a decision as product owner, but input would definitely be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

On 30 July 2015 at 14:06, Erik Bernhardson <ebernhardson@wikimedia.org> wrote:
We have a new feature for web requests that rewrites zero result queries into a new search that might have results.  I've started porting this same feature over to API clients so it has a larger effect on our zero results rate, but code review has turned up some indecision on if this should be enabled or disabled by default in the API.  Either way the feature will be toggleable.

I thought we should open this up to a larger audience, are there any opinions?

Erik B.

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Dan Garry
Lead Product Manager, Discovery
Wikimedia Foundation