---
title: Indexing options
slug: o6ab0388
canonical_url: https://docs.coveo.com/en/o6ab0388/
collection: coveo-for-optimizely
source_format: adoc
---
# Indexing options
Indexing content is the first step in implementing a Coveo-powered search and relevance solution.
During this process, your Optimizely content types are translated into Coveo [items](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) stored in a [source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/246/) within your [Coveo organization](https://docs.coveo.com/en/185/).

Coveo recommends [creating one of the following sources](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3390#add-a-source) to index content from Optimizely:

[.float-group.list-float]
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![Sources | Coveo Platform](coveo-for-optimizely/coveo-platform-sources-optimizely.png)

* [**GraphQL API**](https://docs.coveo.com/en/n6gh2329/): This source is recommended for indexing needs involving complex queries or accessing customized content within Optimizely.
It provides robust querying capabilities, including filtering for specific data and accessing dynamic content types.

* [**Web**](https://docs.coveo.com/en/malf0160/): This source is best suited for indexing generic website content.
It uses simple HTTP requests to access public-facing pages.

* [**Sitemap**](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1967/): This source is ideal for structured crawling.
It adheres to the sitemap protocol to ensure that all listed URLs are indexed.
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Indexing involves more than gathering all your content.
Indexing Optimizely [metadata](https://docs.coveo.com/en/218/) to populate Coveo [fields](https://docs.coveo.com/en/200/) enables you to configure powerful search interface controls and display meaningful search results to your users.
Refer to the source-specific documentation for guidance on mapping Optimizely metadata to Coveo fields during source configuration.

> **Note**
>
> A [push-based indexing approach](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pbp90022/) using the Optimizely Connect Platform is also possible.