Multi words in filter term - elasticsearch

Question

I have a document with a tags field contain "john smith"
This query returns it:
{
"query": {
"bool": {
"filter": {
"term": {
"tags": "john"
}
}
}
}
}
But this not:
{
"query": {
"bool": {
"filter": {
"term": {
"tags": "john smith"
}
}
}
}
}
Why? How can I reach filter matches multiple words?

Answer 1

You need to use the terms query if I understand your requirements properly, which is you want to search for multiple values ie john or smith.
index def
{
"mappings": {
"properties": {
"tags": {
"type": "text"
}
}
}
}
Index sample docs
{
"tags" : "john Lay"
}
{
"tags" : "john opster"
}
{
"tags" : "john smith"
}
Search query for john or lay
{
"query" : {
"terms" : {
"tags" : ["john", "lay"],
"boost" : 1.0
}
}
}
And search result
"hits": [
{
"_index": "so_auto",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "9",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"model_name": "john smith"
}
},
{
"_index": "so_auto",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "10",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"model_name": "john opster"
}
},
{
"_index": "so_auto",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "12",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"model_name": "john Lay"
}
}

Answer 2

I have create sample index with provided fields and it gave correct answer.
Mapping of the tags field that I have used to create index is :
"mappings": {
"properties": {
"tags": {
"type": "keyword"
}
}
}
We are using keyword field since in term query you will require exact match.
I have created three documents in this index with following tags field :
{
"_index": "secesindex",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "1",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"tags": "John Smith"
}
},
{
"_index": "secesindex",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "2",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"tags": "John Farraday"
}
},
{
"_index": "secesindex",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "3",
"_score": 1.0,
"_source": {
"tags": "John"
}
}
Now when I am running query as mentioned above :
{
"query": {
"bool": {
"filter": {
"term": {
"tags": "John Smith"
}
}
}
}
}
It gives exact match to the document which has tags field value equal to "John Smith".
"hits": [
{
"_index": "secesindex",
"_type": "_doc",
"_id": "1",
"_score": 0.0,
"_source": {
"tags": "John Smith"
}
}
]