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Each query in a multi-search request is independent. This means you can apply different filters, sorting rules, and search parameters to each index in the same request. This is useful when your indexes have different structures or when each content type requires different filtering logic.

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Configure index settings

Before filtering, make sure the relevant attributes are marked as filterable on each index. For example, configure three indexes with different filterable attributes: 
# Products: filter by category and price
curl \
  -X PATCH 'MEILISEARCH_URL/indexes/products/settings' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary '{
    "filterableAttributes": ["category", "price", "in_stock"],
    "sortableAttributes": ["price"]
  }'

# Articles: filter by published date and topic
curl \
  -X PATCH 'MEILISEARCH_URL/indexes/articles/settings' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary '{
    "filterableAttributes": ["published_at", "topic"]
  }'

# Users: no filters needed

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Send a multi-search request with different filters

Once your index settings are configured, send a multi-search request where each query uses its own filter and parameters: 
curl \
  -X POST 'MEILISEARCH_URL/multi-search' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary '{
    "queries": [
      {
        "indexUid": "products",
        "q": "keyboard",
        "filter": "category = electronics AND in_stock = true",
        "sort": ["price:asc"],
        "limit": 5
      },
      {
        "indexUid": "articles",
        "q": "keyboard",
        "filter": "published_at > 1704067200",
        "limit": 3
      },
      {
        "indexUid": "users",
        "q": "keyboard",
        "limit": 3
      }
    ]
  }'
In this example:
  • The products query filters by category and stock availability, sorts by price, and returns up to 5 results
  • The articles query filters to only show articles published after a specific date and returns up to 3 results
  • The users query has no filter and returns up to 3 results

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Understand the response

The response contains one result set for each query, in the same order: 
{
  "results": [
    {
      "indexUid": "products",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 42, "name": "Mechanical Keyboard", "category": "electronics", "price": 79.99 }
      ],
      "query": "keyboard",
      "limit": 5,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 12
    },
    {
      "indexUid": "articles",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 7, "title": "Best Keyboards of 2025", "topic": "reviews" }
      ],
      "query": "keyboard",
      "limit": 3,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 4
    },
    {
      "indexUid": "users",
      "hits": [
        { "id": 101, "name": "KeyboardEnthusiast99" }
      ],
      "query": "keyboard",
      "limit": 3,
      "estimatedTotalHits": 1
    }
  ]
}

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Combine with federated mode

You can also use different filters per query in federated search mode by adding the federation parameter. Each query retains its own filter, and results are merged into a single ranked list: 
curl \
  -X POST 'MEILISEARCH_URL/multi-search' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-binary '{
    "federation": {},
    "queries": [
      {
        "indexUid": "products",
        "q": "keyboard",
        "filter": "category = electronics"
      },
      {
        "indexUid": "articles",
        "q": "keyboard",
        "filter": "published_at > 1704067200"
      }
    ]
  }'

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Key points

  • Each query’s filter, sort, limit, offset, attributesToRetrieve, and other parameters are scoped to that query only
  • A filter on one query does not affect results from other queries
  • You must configure filterableAttributes and sortableAttributes separately on each index before using them in queries
  • Queries without filters are valid and return unfiltered results for that index

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Next steps

Multi-search overview

Learn about both modes of multi-search

Filter search results

Learn how to configure and use filters