A Guide to Search Indexes in BigQuery

Tom Ellyatt
9 min readFeb 3, 2024

If you’re dealing with huge amounts of data or developing search-intensive applications, understanding and implementing this technique can be a significant asset. I’ll guide you through the essentials of indexing in BigQuery, highlighting how to create an index, and illustrating the differences in performance and cost implications.

This article is part 3 in my Ultimate Guide to Saving Time and Money with BigQuery series, be sure to check it out if you’re looking for cost reducing tips!

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Getting Started with Indexing: I’ll help you determine if indexing is the right move.
  • Crafting an Index: Step-by-step instructions to set up your own index in BigQuery.
  • Exploring Index Options: A deep dive into the three indexing options: LOG_ANALYZER, NO_OP_ANALYZER, and PATTERN_ANALYZER.
  • What are Analyzer Options: Tailoring how BigQuery processes your text data for the most effective searches.
  • Performance Testing: Will indexing actually reduce the cost and runtime of your queries? We shall find out.

Getting Started with Indexing in BigQuery: Is It Right for You?

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Tom Ellyatt

Google Cloud Digital Leader | Customer Insight Analyst