Jetpack Instant search allows you to see results as you type. That’s fast. But it’s not always what people actually need. Sometimes you want a nudge in the right direction before you’ve even finished your question.
Today we’re adding exactly that to Jetpack Search. The new Search Suggestions feature shows visitors three types of helpful options as they type, making it quicker and easier to find what they’re looking for on your site.
The problem with traditional search
When someone lands on your site and opens the search bar, they’re not always sure what to type. Maybe they’re new to your site. Maybe they can’t remember the exact words used in a post. A blank search box and a list of results can feel like a lot of work.
There’s also the navigation problem. Most sites organize their content with categories or tags, but finding those in the UI can be frustrating. The ability to suggest relevant tags and categories solves this.
How it works
When Search Suggestions is enabled, visitors see three kinds of suggestions as they type:
- Query suggestions based on what other visitors have actually searched for on your site. These come from real search history, so they reflect the words and phrases your audience already uses.
- Filter shortcuts for common categories and tags. Visitors can narrow their search with a single click and keep refining without leaving the search interface.
- Direct article links for posts and pages that closely match what’s being typed. If the answer is on a specific page, visitors can go straight there without sifting through results first.
See it in action
Try it yourself right now. Use the search bar on jetpack.com and start typing. The suggestions appear instantly, and yes, that speed is real.
Availability
Search Suggestions is available now on all WordPress.com sites. Simply add a Jetpack Search subscription from your wp-admin dashboard. You can start off with the free plan if you want, which includes searching up to 5000 posts/pages and 500 requests per month.
It will also be included in the next Jetpack Search plugin release for self-hosted sites. To try it before then, enable it today with the Jetpack Beta Tester.
How did this ship so fast?
This feature required building a brand-new Elasticsearch index from scratch, which is why it had been sitting on the wish list for years without ever getting built. It always felt like too big a project to squeeze in.
What made the difference was Automattic’s Radical Speed Month initiative, which carved out dedicated time to tackle exactly these kinds of features. Two developers built it in roughly two weeks, with significant help from AI throughout. It’s another example of Automattic using AI not just in its products, but to build them.
Better search, starting today
Ready to give your visitors a smarter search experience? Get Jetpack Search
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