A query-centric system and process for distributing reverse indices for a distributed content system. Relevance ranking techniques in organizing distributed system indices. Query-centric configuration subprocesses (1) analyze query data, partitioning terms for reverse index server(s) (RIS), (2) distribute each partitioned data set by generally localizing search terms for the RIS that have some query-centric correlation, and (3) generate and maintain a map for the partitioned reverse index system terms by mapping the terms for the reverse index to a plurality of different index server nodes. Indexing subprocess element builds distributed reverse indices from content host indices. Routines of the query execution use the map derived in the configuration to more efficiently return more relevant search results to the searcher.