Although WordPress provides a default search function that you can easily use on your website, there are numerous plugins that do the job simply better – more precise, faster, and with more options for custom search inquiries.
In the next paragraphs, you will read about the 10 best WordPress plugins that can replace the built-in option.
Check also:
- 8 Best WordPress CRM Plugins
- 5 Best WordPress Popup Plugins
- 9 Best WordPress Forum Plugins
- 10 Best WordPress Email Plugins
10 Best WordPress Search Plugins
Our list of suggestions is not comprised of various search solutions that can come in handy in various situations – browse the list and try out each plugin for yourself, so you know what fits your site visitors and your own requirements the best.
Our plugin suggestions do not follow any particular order.
1. SearchWP
SearchWP is one of the most popular search plugins for WordPress. This tool is known for its accurate results and fast speeds.
What makes SearchWP so popular is its website indexing process – once you install and activate the plugin, it makes a comprehensive indexing of your website and craws various types of site data – blog post content, shortcodes, product pages, product listings, categories, custom post types, and even various PDF and text documents.
This comprehensive indexing grants your visitors quite a powerful search function that is very likely to deliver them the result they are looking for.
Furthermore, the plugin can be enhanced with various add-ons that grant you even more search and indexing options.
Best for SearchWP is suitable for small and medium-sized content. Use the plugin if you are building an online blog with various categories and blog post types, or for your online shop with numerous types of product categories.
Plugin features include:
- Several search engines are available.
- Search by type option.
- Versatile integration options.
- Related content results.
- Redirects.
- Search analytics tool.
2. WP Extended Search
Another popular search plugin, WP Extended Search is known for its extensive functionalities and overall smooth performance.
This plugin allows you to create unlimited search forms and grants users the option to select what kind of website information to be displayed in search results. Furthermore, you can fine-tune the plugin, so it includes (or excludes, depending on your preferences) custom post types, author names, categories, tags, other custom taxonomies, and even metadata in search results.
Best for: Websites with diverse content types, online shops with numerous types of products.
Plugin features:
- Search customization
- Include or exclude search results
- Widgets
- Customizable search forms
3. FiboSearch
FiboSearch is specially created for WooCommerce. The plugin can make search suggestions while visitors type, and can also work with product titles, descriptions, and SKUs.
Furthermore, depending on the setup and customization, FiboSearch can show product images, prices, descriptions, and SKUs in search results, along with numerous more details.
Best for WordPress WooCommerce websites.
Plugin features:
- Search by product title, description, and SKU.
- Google Analytics integration
- Displays an ample amount of information in search results.
- Optimized for phone and tablet use.
4. Ajax Search
Ajax Search is another handy WordPress plugin that displays results while visitors are still typing. This real-time search functionality is achieved by using JavaScript and XML that can send data to the plugin without the need to refresh the web page.
Furthermore, the plugin includes images in search results, so that the results provide more details and context for your website visitors.
Best for: WordPress websites that would focus on speed and high performance without sacrificing the quality of content and search results.
Plugin features:
- Live search results.
- Search through all post types.
- Drag-and-drop builder.
- Versatile integration capabilities.
- Comes with various widgets.
5. Better Search
Better Search is a WordPress plugin that provides your site visitors with a simple and yet effective search tool.
This plugin provides you with handy features such as customizing the search results, based on different search queries, search history details and website heading analysis for more precise results.
Best for: Budget website projects that rely on speed and relevance.
Plugin features include:
- Customization of the search results
- Search within custom post types
- Analyzes the most popular search inquiries
- Comes with a widget
- Modifications via CSS
6. Relevanssi
Relevanssi is a very useful WordPress search plugin, as it not only offers precise search results but is also capable of making spelling corrections in search queries and making various connections between ambiguous search queries and accurate and relevant results.
What is also special about this plugin is that it can index the site visitor’s profile and based on the acquired data present custom search results especially for this search query.
Best for: Websites with a great amount of content.
Plugin features:
- Stores results in relevance
- Brings back accurate results even after ambiguous inquiries
- Detects spelling errors and typos
- Numerous personalization settings
7. Ivory Search
Ivory Search is another popular solution for your WordPress website.
This plugin allows comprehensive customization of various search forms that can be placed all across your website.
Ivory Search makes an initial comprehensive search and then allows you to start building your custom forms based on the results.
You can customize the layout of each form, and toggle live search results with AJAX, filter what kind of results to be displayed and which type of data to be indexed.
Furthermore, you can seamlessly integrate Ivory Search with your WooCommerce website and make a custom search form for your custom post types and custom product lists.
Best ford: Site owners who are tech-savvy and prefer more customization for their website’s search function.
Plugin features:
- Unlimited number of search forms on your WordPress website
- Customizable forms
- AJAX and live search
- Optional widget
- WooCommerce integration
8. WP Google Search
WP Google Search is a WordPress search plugin that allows you to replace your built-in search engine with Google Custom Search.
The plugin is simple to use and grants you the option to place a second search form on your website that grants your visitors with a custom search experience.
Furthermore, WP Google Search provides results and filters them depending on date, language, category and more.
Best for: Content-rich websites with ample amounts of data.
Plugin features:
- Adds Google search algorithm
- Search box layout customization
- Provides search suggestions
- Analytics tool
- Simple setup
Bonus: Search Exclude
Search Exclude is a bit different search plugin. This tool allows you to exclude content from search results rather than include it.
The plugin is very simple to use and allows you to select what kind of information and web pages should be displayed in search results, so your site visitors see only relevant information to their query.
Best for: e-commerce platforms and other types of content-rich websites.
Plugin features:
- Exclude pages, posts and other type of information from search results
- Exclude custom post types from search results
- Exclude password-protected pages from search results
- Easy to use
Conclusion
There are numerous handy WordPress search plugins that can replace the default search function and also bring more customization features, along with various options for fine-tuning the search results and indexing process.
In this article, you read about the 10 best solutions for a search plugin for your WordPress website.