Manage query client types
APPLIES TO: 
2013 2016 2019 Subscription Edition 
SharePoint in Microsoft 365
Learn how query client types decide in which order queries are performed.
A query client type is how a client performing a query tells the system what type of client it is. For example, a client might tell us it is UI, or an automated query. Query throttling monitors the use of resources and protects the search system. Administrators can use client-type information for throttling, to make sure lower-priority clients like automated queries don't squeeze out higher-priority clients like UI. Query client types are also used for things like logging, reports, and determining relevance.
The client sets the client type as a label in the query. The administrator configures the valid client types (though some are default and mandatory), and the client chooses one for each query.
Note
You can't turn query throttling on or off.
Add a query client type
Note
You can change the name of a client type that has been created for your tenant only.
- Go to More features in the SharePoint admin center, and sign in with an account that has admin permissions for your organization.
Note
If you have Office 365 operated by 21Vianet (China), sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, then browse to the SharePoint admin center and open the More features page.
Under Search, select Open.
On the search administration page, select Manage Query Client Types.
To add a client type, select New Client Type.
On the Edit a client type page, in the Query Client Type field, for the client type, enter a name.
From the Throttling Tier list, select either Top, Middle, or Bottom.
Note
Lower priority queries are throttled first. The search system processes queries from top tier to bottom tier.
Select OK.
Prioritize a client query type
You can use throttling tiers to prioritize query processing. When the resource limit is reached, query throttling kicks in, and the search system processes queries, starting from the top tier, right through to the bottom tier.
- Go to More features in the SharePoint admin center, and sign in with an account that has admin permissions for your organization.
Note
If you have Office 365 operated by 21Vianet (China), sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, then browse to the SharePoint admin center and open the More features page.
Under Search, select Open.
On the search administration page, select Manage Query Client Types.
Go to the Client Type section, and select the System Type that you want to change.
From the Throttling Tier list, select either Top, Middle, or Bottom.
Note
Lower priority queries are throttled first. The search system processes queries from top tier to bottom tier.
Select OK.