Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for performing search queries in a manner that avoids overloading an indexer cluster or indexers with an unwanted or unauthorized high levels of concurrent searches. The method comprises transmitting a slot request from a search head to a cluster master in response to a query, wherein the cluster master is communicatively coupled with an indexer cluster comprising a plurality of indexers. The method further comprises receiving addresses of active indexers in the indexer cluster and a response to the slot request from the cluster master. Responsive to a grant of a slot by the cluster master, the method comprises using the addresses to transmit the query to the active indexers and receiving results of the query from the active indexers. Subsequently, the method comprises releasing the slot to the cluster master.