# Connect Your Hub to the Catalog

With your Hub site created and groups configured, the next step is connecting them. This chapter explains how to link your Catalog Group to your Hub so content becomes searchable and visible.

## How the Catalog Connection Works

The Hub catalog is not a separate database, it's a view into your AGOL groups.

```text
AGOL Group (Catalog) -> Hub Catalog Configuration -> Hub Search & Gallery
```

| Component | Role |
|-----------|------|
| **Catalog Group** | Contains items you want visible on the Hub |
| **Hub Catalog Settings** | Tells the Hub which group(s) to display |
| **Search/Gallery Cards** | UI components that query the configured catalog |

```{important}
Items must be shared to a connected group AND the group must be linked to the Hub for content to appear. Both connections are required.
```

## Connect Your Catalog Group

1. **Open your Hub site** in edit mode:
   - Go to `https://geowb.maps.arcgis.com`
   - Navigate to **ArcGIS Hub** via the App Launcher
   - Find your Hub site and click **Edit**

2. **Access Catalog settings:**
   - Click **Settings** (gear icon) in the site editor
   - Select **Catalog** from the settings menu

3. **Add your Catalog Group:**
   - Click **Add Group**
   - Search for your Catalog Group by name
   - Select the group and click **Add**

4. **Save your changes**

## Verify the Connection

After connecting your group:

1. **Add a test item** to your Catalog Group (if you haven't already)

2. **View your Hub site** (click **View** or open the public URL)

3. **Check the catalog/search:**
   - Use the search bar or browse the gallery
   - Your test item should appear

4. **If content doesn't appear:**
   - Confirm the item is shared to the Catalog Group
   - Confirm the group is connected in Hub settings
   - Confirm group visibility matches Hub visibility
   - Wait a few minutes — catalog updates aren't always instant

## Understanding Catalog Scope

Your Hub can pull content from multiple sources:

| Scope | What It Includes |
|-------|------------------|
| **Single group** | Only items shared directly to that group |
| **Multiple groups** | Items from all connected groups |
| **Organization** | All items shared with the WB AGOL organization |

```{note}
For most WB Hubs, connecting a single curated Catalog Group is recommended. This gives you control over exactly what appears.
```

## (optional) Configure Search and Gallery Components

The Hub's search and gallery cards need to be configured to use your catalog.

### Search Card

1. **Add a Search card** to your Hub page (if not already present)

2. **Configure the search scope:**
   - Click the card to edit
   - Set **Search in:** to your catalog configuration
   - Choose which item types to include (maps, apps, layers, etc.)

3. **Customize display:**

   | Setting | Recommendation |
   |---------|----------------|
   | **Placeholder text** | "Search for maps, data, and dashboards..." |
   | **Show filters** | Enable for larger catalogs |
   | **Results display** | Grid or list view |

### Gallery Card

1. **Add a Gallery card** to display featured content

2. **Configure the source:**
   - Set to pull from your catalog
   - Or select specific items to feature

3. **Set display options:**

   | Setting | Options |
   |---------|---------|
   | **Items per row** | 3-4 recommended |
   | **Show thumbnails** | Yes |
   | **Show item type** | Helpful for mixed content |

## Filter by Content Type

You can configure which item types appear in your catalog display:

| Item Type | Include? | Notes |
|-----------|----------|-------|
| **Feature Layers** | ✓ | Core geospatial data |
| **Web Maps** | ✓ | Interactive maps |
| **Dashboards** | ✓ | Visualization products |
| **Web Apps** | ✓ | Custom applications |
| **Story Maps** | ✓ | Narrative content |
| **Documents** | Optional | PDFs, reports |
| **Images** | Optional | May clutter results |

## Outcome

After completing these steps, you have:

- [ ] Catalog Group connected to your Hub site
- [ ] Verified content appears in Hub search/gallery
- [ ] Search and gallery cards configured
- [ ] Understanding of how group content flows to Hub display

## Next Steps

With your catalog connected, proceed to {doc}`design-homepage` to customize your Hub's appearance and help users find content effectively.