Default WordPress search is slow, limited, and frustrates your visitors. In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to replace it with SearchJet, an AI-powered search that is instant, accurate, and works out of the box.
Why Replace Default WordPress Search?
WordPress uses a basic MySQL LIKE statement for search. It is slow on large databases, does not support fuzzy matching, and ignores custom fields entirely. If your site has more than a few hundred posts, visitors are already struggling to find content.
Here is what is wrong with the default WordPress search:
- No fuzzy matching: A search for reciepe will not find recipe. One typo and you have lost the visitor.
- No custom fields: ACF, Toolset, JetEngine fields are completely invisible to search.
- No real-time results: Every search triggers a full page reload, killing momentum.
- No analytics: You cannot see what people search for or fail to find.
SearchJet replaces all of this with an AI-powered search engine that indexes every field in your site and returns results in under 200ms.
Step 1: Sign Up for SearchJet
Visit searchjetengine.com/pricing and create your free account. The free tier includes up to 1,000 indexed items and 10,000 searches per month, enough for most small to medium sites.
After signing up, you will receive an API key. Copy it, you will need it in Step 2.
Step 2: Install the Plugin
- Go to WordPress Admin, Plugins, Add New.
- Search for SearchJet Instant Search.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
- Navigate to SearchJet Settings and paste your API key.
- Click Connect and Index. SearchJet will start indexing your content in the background.
Indexing typically takes 2-5 minutes for sites with up to 5,000 posts. You will see a progress bar in the dashboard.
Step 3: Customize Search Filters (Optional)
By default, SearchJet indexes all your content types. But you can fine-tune what is searchable:
- Content types: Choose which post types to include (posts, pages, products, custom types).
- Taxonomies: Index categories, tags, and custom taxonomies.
- Custom fields: Enable ACF, Toolset, JetEngine, or custom meta fields.
- Search filters: Add date, category, or author filters to the search dropdown.
Step 4: Go Live
Once indexing is complete, your search is live. Visitors will see instant results as they type with no page reloads and no waiting. The search dropdown includes product images, prices, excerpts, and category labels.
You can customize the appearance under SearchJet Settings, Appearance to match your theme colors and layout. The widget auto-detects your brand colors and adjusts accordingly.
Bonus: Works with JetEngine, WooCommerce, and More
SearchJet is not limited to standard WordPress content. It works seamlessly with:
- WooCommerce - search products by SKU, attributes, price, and variations
- JetEngine - search custom meta fields, repeaters, and dynamic content
- ACF / Toolset - index any custom field with zero configuration
- Elementor and Gutenberg - works with any page builder
What Makes SearchJet Different
Unlike other search plugins, SearchJet runs on a dedicated AI-powered infrastructure. Your search queries are processed on our servers with sub-200ms response times. This means your WordPress site stays fast while your visitors get instant search results.
The AI relevance ranking learns from user behavior. As more people search and click results, SearchJet automatically improves which results appear first. This means your search gets smarter over time without any manual configuration.
Search analytics give you visibility into what your visitors are looking for. You can see top searches, zero-result queries, and search-to-click rates. Use this data to create new content, fix broken paths, and optimize your site structure.