Find what you need faster
We’re improving search on our website – shaped by your feedback
We know that when you come to the RCOT website, you’re usually looking to do something specific – find guidance, access a resource or complete an important task quickly and confidently.
We’ve heard your feedback that our existing site search hasn’t always supported you as well as it should.
That’s why we’ve been working behind the scenes on an improvement to how search works on our website.
This is still in test, and you may not see it straight away. Read on to find out more and share your feedback.
A collaborative experiment, focused on members
We recognise that the previous search experience could act as a barrier. It often required users to enter very precise wording to surface the right results – keeping valuable content hidden.
We took this issue to our website supplier and, working closely together, started an experiment.
Our aim has been simple: make it easier for you to find what you need, without having to guess the ‘right’ keywords.
This aligns strongly with our wider ambition to continually improve the digital experience we offer.
Moving beyond keyword guesswork
The new approach introduces an AI‑supported layer to search.
This new system doesn’t simply match words – it’s able to ‘recognise’ natural language and ‘understand’ professional intent.
In practice, this means:
- More relevant and richer results
- Greater visibility of useful but previously hard‑to‑find resources
- A search experience that better reflects professional needs and real‑world queries
In short – it will be easier to discover high‑value content and complete important actions.
Continuous improvement
This is just the beginning – you may not see the change straight away.
This isn’t about replacing everything overnight – it’s about taking a meaningful step forward, grounded in how you actually use the site.
Search is not a static feature. It requires ongoing observation, learning and fine‑tuning based on real user behaviour.
For that reason, we’re taking a phased approach to rollout.
A phased rollout – your feedback matters
Over the next month or so, only a randomised portion of users will see and be able to use the new search functionality.
This allows us to closely review performance, understand how it’s being used and make refinements before wider release.
If you do see it, we’d love to hear what you think!
Your feedback will directly shape how this develops.
Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Search function’ to tell us what you think.
Look for more updates
We’ll continue to share updates as we make improvements across our digital services.
These changes are driven by your feedback – and they reflect our commitment to understanding how members work, what they value and how we can better support you.