Why Search & Discovery Matters for Shopify Stores
Shoppers today expect to find exactly what they’re looking for—fast. If your store’s search function is weak or your product recommendations aren’t personalized, you lose potential customers.
That’s where Shopify’s Search & Discovery app comes in. This free tool helps Shopify merchants optimize product search, filters, and recommendations to increase conversions and improve user experience.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use the Shopify Search & Discovery app to:
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Improve on-site search results
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Create better product recommendations
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Optimize collections with filters
- Boost conversions with data-driven search insights
Let’s get started! 🚀
What is the Shopify Search & Discovery App?
The Shopify Search & Discovery app is a free tool designed to enhance the way customers navigate and find products in your store.
Key Features:
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Search Customization – Control search ranking and prioritize best-selling products
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Synonyms & Keyword Mapping – Ensure customers find products even if they search using different words
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Product Recommendations – Upsell and cross-sell with AI-powered suggestions
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Customizable Filters – Allow customers to filter products by price, size, color, and more
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Search Analytics – Understand what customers are searching for and optimize results
Why Should You Use It?
- Faster product discovery = higher sales
- More personalized recommendations = increased AOV (Average Order Value)
- Better filtering = fewer drop-offs and abandoned searches
- Insights on customer behavior = smarter product decisions
You can install the Shopify Search & Discovery app for free from the Shopify App Store.
Step 1: Install & Set Up the Search & Discovery App
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Go to the Shopify App Store and search for “Search & Discovery.”
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Click "Add app" and install it on your Shopify store.
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Open the app from your Shopify dashboard.
Once installed, you’ll see four main sections:
- Search customization
- Filters
- Product recommendations
- Analytics
Now let’s explore how to optimize each feature!
Step 2: Optimize Search Results for Better Conversions
Shopify’s default search isn’t always perfect. The Search & Discovery app allows you to customize how products appear in search results, ensuring your best products are seen first.
How to Customize Search Results
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Prioritize Best-Selling or High-Margin Products – Move high-performing products to the top of search results.
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Boost Seasonal or Trending Items – Promote time-sensitive products for holidays or sales.
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Hide Out-of-Stock Products – Reduce frustration by keeping unavailable items out of search results.
Using Synonyms for Smarter Search
Customers don’t always use the same words as your product titles. You can add synonyms to ensure they find what they need.
For example:
- Sweater = Pullover, Jumper
- Shoes = Sneakers, Trainers
- Laptop = Notebook, Computer
👉 Go to the "Synonyms" section in the app and add relevant keyword variations.
Step 3: Improve Product Recommendations for More Sales
Product recommendations are crucial for increasing your Average Order Value (AOV). The Search & Discovery app lets you fine-tune what products are recommended to customers.
Types of Recommendations You Can Customize
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Complementary Products – Upsell related products (e.g., a phone case for a phone)
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Alternative Products – Suggest similar items if the main product is out of stock
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Popular Products – Feature best-selling items on product pages
How to Set Up Smart Recommendations
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Go to the "Recommendations" tab in the app.
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Choose products you want to recommend together (manual selection or AI-based).
- Save and test recommendations on live product pages.
If a customer searches for a red dress, ensure they also see matching shoes and accessories to encourage bundle purchases.
Step 4: Create Custom Filters for a Better Shopping Experience
Filters help customers narrow down search results, especially if you sell multiple product variations.
Essential Filters You Should Add
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Price Range – Let users filter by budget
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Size & Fit – Perfect for fashion and footwear stores
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Color & Material – Important for clothing, furniture, and accessories
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Customer Ratings – Display top-rated products first
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Availability – Show in-stock items only
How to Set Up Filters in the App
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Go to the "Filters" tab in Search & Discovery.
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Choose filter categories (price, size, color, etc.).
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Customize filter names & order to match customer preferences.
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Save & test to see how filters improve product discoverability.
Make sure filters don’t slow down your store—test them on mobile to ensure smooth functionality.
Step 5: Use Search Analytics to Optimize Your Store
The Search & Discovery app provides valuable insights into customer search behavior.
Key Metrics to Track:
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Top Search Queries – See what customers search for most.
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No-Result Searches – Identify missing products customers expect to find.
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Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Track how often search results lead to clicks.
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Conversion Rate from Search – Measure sales generated from searches.
How to Use This Data for Growth
- If certain products are frequently searched, promote them on your homepage.
- If “no-result searches” are common, add missing products or update keywords.
- If a product gets clicks but no sales, improve its product page (images, pricing, reviews).
👉 Find search analytics in the "Reports" section of the app.
Boost Sales with Shopify Search & Discovery
The Shopify Search & Discovery app is a powerful, free tool that improves product visibility and customer experience.
Quick Recap:
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Optimize search results to prioritize best-selling products.
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Use synonyms & keyword mapping to help customers find the right items.
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Set up product recommendations to increase AOV.
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Customize filters to improve product discovery.
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Analyze search data to fix weak spots and boost conversions.
By implementing these strategies, your store will have a smarter, more efficient product search system that keeps customers happy and increases sales. 🚀
