---
title: Search reference criteria
description: Search reference criteria configuration for matching search result references, which contain referral URLs and an optional set of controls.
component: pingdirectory
version: 10.2
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdirectory_security_guide:pd_sec_search_ref_criteria
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/pingdirectory_security_guide/pd_sec_search_ref_criteria.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2023-09-13T00:00:00Z
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/11.1/pingdirectory_security_guide/pd_sec_search_ref_criteria.html
---

# Search reference criteria

Use search reference criteria when matching search result references, which provide information about other servers or different portions of the DIT in which the client can continue the search. They contain a set of referral URLs and an optional set of controls.