On-site search is the entry point with the highest conversion rate. Visitors who use search have a much higher purchase intent than those who are just browsing. YS CART's advanced search upgrades store search to "search and get results instantly": results appear as you type, with products, categories, and articles displayed in grouped formats, along with complete search behavior analytics.

Instant search and popular keywords

Results appear as you type the first character: products include thumbnails and prices (special prices are automatically marked), categories and articles are listed, and keywords are automatically highlighted. When the search box is focused, hybrid popular keyword suggestions are displayed—composed of "store settings + real search popularity"—to direct traffic to the products you want to promote.

A/B Test Result Page Modes

Where should it land after pressing search? Mode A continues to use the core store page (with a filter sidebar), and Mode B uses an independent mixed results page – presenting products, categories, and articles on one page. A dropdown allows switching between them, and the real-time preview behavior is consistent for both modes.

Search analysis, see what customers are looking for

Every search is logged and de-duplicated, integrated into the YS CART report for analysis: popular search terms, searches with no results (= product gap list), and click behavior are clear at a glance. It can take over core search shortcodes and also offers a Blocksy header component version.

Features

Search and find immediately

Type and get results, products include thumbnails, prices, and keyword highlighting.

Mixed popular keywords

Store settings + real search heat composition recommendation list, guiding traffic to the products you want to promote.

Group results

Products/Categories/Articles (Pages) presented in groups, take what you need.

A/B Results Page Mode

A = Core store page with filters; B = Separate mixed results page, one-click switch.

Search Analysis

Hot words and no result searches are integrated into the YS CART report, with automatic deduplication of data.

Shortcodes and Components

[ys_ss_search] Search box/Icon shortcode, can take over core search, also has Blocksy header element.

Screenshots

Changelog (Latest)

v1.4.3 — Review Convergence: B Mode "View All" Landing + Analysis Write De-duplication

Fixed

B mode live panel "View All" still directs to the core store page(P1): `view_all` uses `shop_url()` regardless of the result mode. The "View All" dropdown in B mode falls to `/?ys_ec_search=` instead of the independent mixed results page `/ys-search/`. Change to focus on the mode-aware helper `YSSsResultsPage::search_url()` (A behavior remains unchanged).

Security / Integrity

`/smart-search/log` publishable can be repeatedly called and contaminated analysisDeduplicate on the server for 600 secondsSink to single write bottleneck `log()`(Same visitor + same word, cross-source), public endpoints cannot be flooded with analysis even if hit repeatedly. Using the `norm_time` index, no schema change.

Notes

Permissions remain `manage_options` (OR `manage_ys_ecommerce`) -- Upon inspection, the core itself uses the same fallback and does not grant custom capabilities. The actual ecosystem policy is `manage_options`, and this plugin is now consistent with it.

staging proof: REST `view_all` → `/ys-search/?ys_ec_search=pro`; `/log` 3 consecutive calls result in only 1 entry.

FAQ

Do you need YS CART?

Yes. This plugin is a search extension for YS CART. After enabling it, it will automatically take over the store search (you can switch back to the core version in the settings).

Will it slow down the website speed?

No. Instant search uses lightweight REST endpoints and index queries, while analytical writes have server-side deduplication and throttling, providing a real-time front-end experience.

What is the use of a search that yields no results?

That is the most valuable list of product gaps: things that customers want to buy but you haven't stocked (or named differently). The analysis page will list them for you to restock or add synonyms.

Can I just use the results page without the real-time dashboard?

Yes. The instant dashboard, trending suggestions, and result page modes are all independent switches that can be combined as needed.