I have problems configuring the search-result.tpl. Is it so, that the fields set in Search result view mode are always snippet'ized as plain text? I have for example a taxonomy term on each node, which I set to appear as link in the Search result view mode, yet it is always output as plain text.
I'm using Custom Search and Search API, if that matters.
Assuming Drupal 7 here, which thankfully has more options for you that Drupal 6.
I don't recall the last time I fully traced this out (and it's complicated), but search_excerpt does call strip_tags and check_plain.
You can take a look at search-result.tpl.php, template_preprocess_search_result(), hook_node_search_result() to see what your options are.
Personally, I would build up my own entries in $variables in the preprocess, and display them in the template. One option is to make a custom node view for the search results, uild it up with the UI, and then use this,something like:
function mytheme_preprocess_search_result (&$variables)
{
$result = $variables['result'];
$node = $result['node']; // not 100% positive that this is the right place in D7
$variables['my_custom_search_result_view'] = node_view($node,
'my_custom_search_result_view');
}
and then use $my_custom_search_result_view in search-result.tpl.php.
Not a full solution for you, but it should be a decent start.
You can learn much more about this issue here https://www.drupal.org/node/1166114
