# How does plex search work?

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [December 28, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932 "2018-12-28T13:29:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eboedhome\_gmail\_com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e5b9ba/32.png) [@eboedhome\_gmail\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/eboedhome_gmail_com)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932/1 "2018-12-28T13:29:20Z")

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Hi All

Hopefully someone can help me out here.

Im am currently creating a home movies library. I’ve set up file structure as you would for tv shows.

now my question is. How does plex search libraries? using the search tool.

Ie i want movie that have “uncle david” in them to appear. so for instants.

search plex home movies for movies starring uncle david.

I am assuming plex uses metadata… now where do i embed this meta data under actors, directors, tagline, description.  
is there a keyword section in movie metadata?

i am using iskysoft media converter and metadata options i have is  
actors, directors, screen writers, tagline, description, comments. release date, genre, definition.

I have inserted tags on my macbook for each video but now I’m concerned that the mac tags won’t transfer to my hard drive where the final folder will be stored…or if flex will read theses tags if they do transfer.

Any help would be much appreciated.

regards  
brad

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**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932/2 "2018-12-28T13:37:39Z")

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Your files need to use the mp4/m4v container. Plex cannot read embedded meta tags from other file formats.

You could embed the name of the person either as ‘actor’ (this needs to use the iTunes-compatible format in XML format - very few metadata editors can do that).  
Or you mention the name of the person in the ‘description’ meta tag.

The meta tags must be populated **before** you add the file into a Plex library. Otherwise you must perform the [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-incorrectly-identifying-tv-episodes/100265/4 "Plex Dance").

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**Author:** ![NewPlaza](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/newplaza/32/128634_2.png) [@NewPlaza](https://forums.plex.tv/u/NewPlaza)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932/3 "2018-12-28T13:46:12Z")

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> [@eboedhome\_gmail\_com](#):
>
> I’ve set up file structure as you would for tv shows.

As long as you use Personal Media Shows. If not then plex will try to match “uncle david” to some show out there.

 ![agent-pms](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/5/a/5ab0e13ba51248e98451c55564c46cb2ac995bbd.png)

> [@eboedhome\_gmail\_com](#):
>
> now my question is. How does plex search libraries? using the search tool.

I’m not sure all the things plex will search for but I can say searches can include TITLE, ACTORS, DIRECTORS. There may be more but those I know for sure are looked at when you search

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-does-plex-search-work/353932/4 "2019-03-28T13:46:43Z")

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Closed on March 28, 2019, 1:46pm UTC

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