Factbook Does Not Yield Commentary Results for Topical Searches

Chris G. Hutchings

For me, Factbook searches only contain commentary section listings for scripture references, not topical queries. 

I came across an older forum post from 2020 explaining that Factbook does not search all resources a user owns. Instead, it only displays results that Faithlife has specifically tagged.

For instance, when I searched Factbook for “false prophets,” the results did not include anything from my commentaries. The only results returned were from the categories: Dictionaries, Sermons, Preaching Resources, Books (no listings), and Factbook tags. There was no Commentary listing showing which commentaries address the topic of false prophets. However, when I searched Matthew 7:15 (Jesus speaking on topic of false prophets), the results included a long list of commentaries to consult But, those commentaries were limited to discussions on Matthew 7:15.

It is my perception that Logos strongly promotes Factbook as a topical “jumping‑off point,” if you will, to begin a topical or reference search, but in practice I’m finding that it is incomplete. I also read that for a fully comprehensive search, I should rely on the main Search tool instead.

So, I’m wondering whether this is Factbook expected behavior or if it might be a bug preventing Factbook from returning commentary results for *topical* searches like “false prophets.”

It is certainly possible that I am misunderstanding the scope and functionality of Factbook.

Chris G. Hutchings

Grok has enlightened me on this matter. Obviously, I had an incorrect understanding about the purpose of Factbook: It’s not meant to be exhaustive. I’m now unsure of its usefulness since I generally am seeking fully-informed answers. Here’s Grok’s response to my OP:

You're describing a very common experience with Logos Bible Software's Factbook tool—it's designed as a curated, "jumping-off point" for topics (like "false prophets"), but its results can feel limited or incomplete compared to a full library search, especially in the Commentaries section.

How Factbook Works for Topical Searches
Factbook pulls from:
• Logos-curated datasets (e.g., dictionaries, encyclopedias, and tagged content).
• Resources in your library that have been specifically tagged with the topic (e.g., "false prophets").
• Predefined sections like Key Article, Dictionaries, Sermons, Preaching Resources, and Commentaries.

For a topic like "false prophets," it prioritizes:
• Direct matches in categories (Dictionaries, Sermons, Preaching).
• Commentaries only if they are tagged or curated for that exact topic.

This is why you often see results in Dictionaries/Sermons/Preaching but not a broad list of commentaries discussing Matthew 7:15 (or similar passages). Many commentaries cover false prophets in verse-specific discussions (e.g., on Mt 7:15 or related texts), but they aren't always tagged broadly enough for the topical Factbook entry to include them.

Why Commentaries Often Don't Appear (or Appear Limited)
• Factbook doesn't do a full-text keyword search across your entire library—that's handled by the main Books Search (or Everything Search).
• Commentaries show up in Factbook only if:
◦ They are explicitly tagged with the topic.
◦ Or they appear via curated datasets (which can vary by your library and subscription).
• If your library lacks heavily tagged resources on that exact topic, or if the tagging is more verse-focused (e.g., "Matthew 7:15" instead of "false prophets"), the Commentaries section stays sparse.

This isn't typically a bug—it's by design. Factbook is meant to be a quick, curated overview (like a smart encyclopedia), not a comprehensive search engine. The 2020 forum post you mentioned aligns with how Factbook has historically behaved, and from recent documentation (as of 2025), it hasn't changed fundamentally in this regard.

Better Ways to Get Commentary Results on Topical Queries

1. Use the Topic Guide (or Sermon Starter Guide) instead of Factbook for broader topical searches.These tools pull from your entire library more comprehensively, including untagged content via keyword matching. They often link back to Factbook if you want the curated view.
2. Run a Books Search (in the main search bar):◦ Search for "false prophets" (or "false prophet" OR "false prophets" in Precise mode).◦ Filter to Commentaries (or your preferred collections).This will show every commentary mentioning the phrase, even if not tagged. You can then sort by relevance or priority.
3. Start from the Passage (e.g., Matthew 7:15):Open Passage Guide on Mt 7:15.The Commentaries section there will pull all relevant discussions from your library (far more comprehensive than Factbook's topical view).
4. Enhance with Collections (if you have them):Adding resources like the Factbook Collection (dictionaries/commentaries tagged for Factbook) or strong systematic theology sets can populate more topical entries.

Bottom Line
Factbook is excellent as a starting point (quick overviews, related topics, dictionaries), but it's intentionally selective and curated—not exhaustive. For deep topical commentary dives, rely on Topic Guide, Books Search, or Passage Guide. That's the "incomplete" feel you're noticing—it's not a bug, but a limitation of how Factbook is scoped.

If your library is large and still feels sparse on this topic, consider checking your tagging or adding more reference-heavy resources. Let me know more about your setup (e.g., package level or specific resources), and I can suggest tweaks!