Search Area

The search area options set the search constraints to use when matching, such as to a city, finance area, or within a specified search radius distance that can be limited to the input state. The search area options can assist in finding a match when the input address contains limited or inaccurate city or ZIP Code information.

The following example illustrates the different match results for an input address that contains an incorrect ZIP Code when setting the Search Area to City, then to Finance Area.


Input Address	Match with Search Area set to City	Match with Search Area set to Finance Area
100 Main St East Aurora, NY 14166 Input address has an incorrect ZIP Code.	100 MAIN ST EAST AURORA NY 14052-1633 Match is made to East Aurora 14052 as there is no candidate in the 14166 input ZIP Code.	100 MAIN ST DUNKIRK NY 14048-1844 Same finance area as the input ZIP Code 14166.

Search Area and Distance Options


Parameter	Description
Option.FIND_SEARCH_AREA	Note: In CASS match mode, only the search area options described in FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DEFAULT are available. FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DEFAULT The impact of the FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DEFAULT setting depends on the match mode you're using for matching. When Option.FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DEFAULT is set and you're matching using either CASS or Relaxed match mode, the search area is determined based on the Option.CentroidPreference setting: If Option.CentroidPreference = AllCentroids, the FIND_SEARCH_AREA_CITY search area is used. If Option.CentroidPreference is set to either NoCentroids or AddressUnavailable, the FIND_SEARCH_AREA_FINANCE search area is used. When FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DEFAULT is set and you're matching using any other match mode - Custom, Exact, Close or Interactive - the FIND_SEARCH_AREA_FINANCE search area is used. FIND_SEARCH_AREA_FINANCE Searches the entire Finance Area for possible streets. Note: This option has no effect when performing a ZIP centroid match or a geographic geocode. FIND_SEARCH_AREA_CITY Searches the specified city. FIND_SEARCH_AREA_EXPANDED Enables the setting of the search radius distance to use when matching. See Option.FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DISTANCE below. FIND_EXPND_SRCH_LIM_TO_STATE Limits the search to the state, within the search radius distance. The default search radius is 25 miles.
Option.FIND_SEARCH_AREA_DISTANCE	When the FIND_SEARCH_AREA_EXPANDED option is selected, this field allows you to enter the search radius distance to use when matching. Valid values = 0-99 (miles). Default = 25 miles. Note: Ignored in CASS match mode.