A search server system having one or more processors and memory receives a search query including filter criteria and sort criteria from a client. The filter criteria specify a plurality of operands and a logical relationship. The sort criteria specify a predefined sort order. In response to the search query the server identifies a plurality of index portions sorted in the predefined sort order. The server identifies one or more matching entities by comparing identifiers for index entries matching filter(s) of a first operand with identifiers for index entries matching filter(s) of a second operand and sequentially retrieving the identifiers for the matching index entries corresponding to matching entities from the plurality of index portions in the predefined sort order. The server then transmits search results including representations of matching entities to the client.