On-site search and filtering
Shopify Search & Discovery review
Set up product filters, search synonyms and recommendations with Shopify’s free app.
You want to improve how customers find products without adding a paid search app.
Think twice ifCheck your theme’s support and the limits on filters before planning a more complex search experience.
- Setup estimate
- Light setup
- Pricing checked
What you can use it for
- Search relevance
- Collection filters
- Merchandising rules
Product details, capabilities and integrations
Shopify Search & Discovery provides search relevance, collection filters, merchandising rules for Shopify stores.
How much does Shopify Search & Discovery cost?
The app is free. Check Shopify theme compatibility and native search limitations before adding a paid alternative.
Pricing checked .Check current official pricing ↗Work out your monthly and yearly app costs, including usage fees and setup.
What should you compare it with?
See all site search and filtering options →Getting started with Shopify Search & Discovery
What you need before installing
Have these ready
- Clean product attributes and taxonomy
Decisions to make first
- Whether the first launch needs search relevance or whether it can wait
- Whether the first launch needs collection filters or whether it can wait
- Whether the first launch needs merchandising rules or whether it can wait
Open the detailed setup guide (5 steps)
Audit top searches, zero-result queries, filter usage and merchandising requirements.
Record the current setup, the problem Shopify Search & Discovery must solve, the owner and the starting result. Complete audit top searches, zero-result queries, filter usage and merchandising requirements. in a test or controlled environment before changing the live journey.
Configure synonyms, ranking rules, filters and collection behaviour in Shopify Search & Discovery.
Complete configure synonyms, ranking rules, filters and collection behaviour in shopify search & discovery. using only the settings needed for the agreed use case. Document the choice, owner and rollback route before moving to the next stage.
Test theme integration, mobile usability and catalogue edge cases.
Complete test theme integration, mobile usability and catalogue edge cases. using only the settings needed for the agreed use case. Document the choice, owner and rollback route before moving to the next stage.
Launch to a controlled traffic or catalogue segment where possible.
Complete launch to a controlled traffic or catalogue segment where possible. using only the settings needed for the agreed use case. Document the choice, owner and rollback route before moving to the next stage.
Measure search conversion, zero-result rate, product discovery and revenue per search session.
Complete measure search conversion, zero-result rate, product discovery and revenue per search session., then run the full customer and operational journey on mobile and desktop. Record every exception and resolve serious failures before launch.
How to use and review it after launch
How to decide whether it is working
Check that the app still works after changes to your theme, checkout or connected tools. Review the result you installed it for, alongside its cost.
- Search conversion rate
- Zero-result search rate
- Revenue per search user
Keep it if it solves a real problem. Simplify or remove it if the extra cost and work are not worthwhile.
Things to check before installing
- Check your theme’s support and the limits on filters before planning a more complex search experience.
- Advanced search relevance and enterprise merchandising controls are limited.
More limitations and common mistakes
- Search tools cannot compensate for incomplete catalogue attributes.
Common questions
How much work does Shopify Search & Discovery take to set up?
Light setup is the current planning guide. Before installing it, confirm clean product attributes and taxonomy, then test the complete customer and operational journey.
What should I measure after launching Shopify Search & Discovery?
Start with search conversion rate, zero-result search rate, revenue per search user. Compare those measures with the pre-launch baseline and include app cost and operating time.
What should I check before installing Shopify Search & Discovery?
Confirm clean product attributes and taxonomy. Do not launch until the owner and a measurable reason for the app are clear.
When should I avoid Shopify Search & Discovery?
Large catalogues needing AI relevance, complex merchandising or detailed search analytics
What alternatives to Shopify Search & Discovery should I compare?
Compare Boost AI Search for growth-stage complexity or Klevu for larger programmes.. Shortlist by the specific job, total cost, integrations and ongoing work rather than feature count alone.
Sources and how we put this guide together
This is a research-based guide, not a claim that we have personally tested every feature. Prices and product availability can change.
How our recommendations work