Before you begin
Decide where search should appear
Smart Search & Analytics can add a floating search button or an embedded search bar. Consider your current theme header, mobile layout and existing search controls before choosing a mode.
Adds a search button that opens the search interface when selected.
Places a visible search bar within a suitable storefront layout or page.
Preview the search experience on desktop and mobile before publishing theme changes to customers.
Step one
Install the app
- Open Smart Search & Analytics in the Shopify App Store.
- Select Install and choose the store you want to connect.
- Review the requested permissions and approve the installation.
- Open the app from Shopify admin and allow its initial content sync to complete.
Step two
Choose a display mode
- Open the display or setup settings in the app dashboard.
- Select Floating for a search button or Embedded for an inline search bar.
- Choose an initial accent colour that works with your storefront.
- Save the app settings.
You can adjust the display mode and appearance later. Begin with the simplest option for your existing theme layout.
Step three
Enable the Shopify app embed
- In Shopify admin, go to Online Store → Themes.
- Select Customise for the theme you want to use.
- Open App embeds in the theme editor.
- Find Smart Search & Analytics and switch it on.
- Save the theme and open a storefront preview.
Confirm that the app embed is enabled in the same theme you are previewing and that the selected display mode is active on the current page type.
Step four
Configure searchable content and filters
Choose the content types and filters that are useful for your catalogue rather than enabling every option automatically.
Make core catalogue content available to customer searches.
Include useful editorial and support content where appropriate.
Offer relevant filters such as product type, vendor and price.
Choose whether products that are out of stock should appear.
- Open the content or search configuration settings.
- Enable the content types customers should be able to find.
- Turn on only the filters that help narrow your catalogue.
- Save and test several representative searches.
Step five
Match the search experience to your storefront
- Set the search colours, icon and typography to complement your theme.
- Adjust sizing, spacing, borders and corner radius where available.
- For floating mode, check the button position against chat, accessibility and cookie controls.
- Use custom CSS only when the standard appearance controls are insufficient.
- Test keyboard navigation, text contrast and mobile usability.
If you hide your theme's native search, confirm that Smart Search & Analytics is available and usable on every relevant page before publishing the change.
Step six
Guide important customer searches
Connect different words customers use for the same type of product.
Give selected products priority for an important search term.
Send a particular search term to a relevant collection, page or campaign URL.
Use these controls selectively. Search results should remain useful and relevant rather than becoming a list of unrelated promoted products.
Step seven
Review search analytics
Search data can reveal how customers describe products and where the catalogue or navigation does not meet their expectations.
- Open the analytics area after the search interface has collected useful activity.
- Review popular search terms and frequently selected results.
- Look for searches that return no useful results.
- Add relevant synonyms, redirects or catalogue content where they genuinely help.
- Compare later search activity to see whether the change improved discovery.
Common questions
Smart Search & Analytics FAQ
What is the difference between floating and embedded search?
Floating mode adds a search button that opens the search experience when selected. Embedded mode places a search bar directly within a page or theme layout.
Can I hide products that are out of stock?
Yes. Search settings can be configured to exclude products that are currently out of stock.
Can I match the search interface to my storefront?
Yes. The app provides controls for search appearance and supports custom CSS for more advanced adjustments.
How do product pinning and redirects work?
Product pinning can place selected products prominently for particular searches. Redirects can send a matching search term to a chosen storefront URL.
Is a free trial available?
Yes. The Core plan currently includes a 14-day free trial. Installation and recurring billing are handled through Shopify.
Ready to improve product discovery?
Help customers find the right products faster
Install Smart Search & Analytics, choose a display mode and start learning from the searches customers make.