How to Leverage Shopify Search Tags to Master Product Discoverability

August 20, 2024

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5 min read

Online search is the fundamental action when customers want to find a product. A recent study shows that 69% of consumers use the search bar immediately when visiting an online retailer. Yet, 80% leave if the search experience is poor.

Shopify recognized the critical need for an efficient search system, evident in their decision to release a default search app and automatically install it for all newly created stores. Though their “homemade” app isn't efficient enough, the platform provides a powerful solution: Shopify Search Tags.

This article explores the benefits of search tags, how to set them up, and best practices for optimizing product organization and search functionality.

What are the Benefits of Using Search Tags?

Shopify Search Tags act as the backbone of your internal search functionality, allowing customers to easily find the products they're looking for. Here are some key benefits:

Enhanced Product Visibility: Product tags or metadata tags make it easier for customers to find products based on custom attributes such as color, size, or material. This increased visibility can lead to higher conversion rates.
Improved Customer Experience: By using well-organized and relevant tags, you ensure that customers find what they are looking for quickly, reducing frustration and increasing satisfaction.
Customized Filters: Search tags can be used to create custom filters, allowing customers to narrow down their search results to products that precisely meet their needs.
Streamlined Inventory Tracking: Use Shopify search tags as inventory tags to monitor the inflow and outflow of products, allowing for better inventory management and reduced stockouts.
Simplified Operations: You can leverage the Shopify tagging system to add product labels to products, blog posts, customers, and orders for easier management and organization.

How to Set Up Shopify Tags

Setting up search tags in Shopify is straightforward and can be accomplished using the platform's native admin tool. Still, to make Shopify tags an effective element for on-site search and advanced product filters, you may need help from a third-party app like Boost AI Search & Discovery.

Steps to Create, Edit, and Remove Tags In Shopify Admin

Login to Your Shopify Admin: Start by logging into your Shopify store admin panel.
Navigate to the desired section (Products, Orders, Customers, etc.) in the left-hand navigation of your Shopify admin.
Select the item you want to tag.
In the Tags section, enter the tag name and press Enter. To remove an unwanted tag, click the "X" next to the existing tag.
Save your changes.

Tags section in a product in the Shopify admin.

The Shopify admin offers convenient bulk tag management options. To add or remove tags from multiple products simultaneously, simply check the boxes next to the desired items. A "Bulk edit" button will appear at the top of the product list, allowing you to apply changes to all selected items.

Bulk edit and Tagged with action in the Products list of the Shopify admin.

Additionally, the "Tagged with" filter provides a powerful way to filter products, orders, customers, and other elements based on specific tags, enabling efficient organization and targeted actions.

For detailed instructions, you can visit the complete guide here.

How to Adjust Search Weight for Shopify Tags with Boost

The Boost app provides a more advanced way to implement your Shopify tags in eCommerce search and Shopify filters. Begin by installing the Boost AI Search & Discovery app from the Shopify App Store. For a smoother onboarding experience, consider reviewing the app's checklist, which provides a guided tour of its features and functionalities.

To fine-tune the relevance of your search results, Boost AI Search & Discovery allows you to modify the search weight assigned to Shopify tags.

Navigate to the Boost AI Search & Discovery menu, click on Search, and then select Standard search.
Access Relevance settings on the left-hand navigation.
Review Searchable fields. You'll see a list of searchable fields, including Shopify tags, with their assigned search weights.
Adjust Tag Weight: To prioritize tags in search results, adjust their weight to "High," "Medium," or "Low." Alternatively, you can designate a tag as a "Non-searchable field" to exclude it from search results entirely.

By adjusting the search weight of tags, you can ensure that your search engine prioritizes the most relevant information, leading to a more accurate and user-friendly search experience for your customers.

Best Practices for Naming and Categorizing Search Tags

Effectively naming and categorizing your search tags is essential for maximizing their impact. Here are some best practices:

Use Descriptive and Specific Terms: Each tag should accurately describe a product’s key attributes, such as color, size, or material. For example, instead of using a general tag like “clothing,” use “women’s red dress.”
Incorporate Synonyms: Include common synonyms in your tags to capture a broader range of search queries. For instance, if you sell sneakers, you might also include tags like “trainers” or “athletic shoes.”
Avoid Over-Tagging: While it’s important to be descriptive, avoid adding too many tags, as this can clutter search results and make them less relevant.
Maintain Consistency: Use standardized terms across all products to ensure uniformity in search results. This consistency helps customers navigate your store more efficiently.
Include Popular Keywords: Use keywords that customers are likely to search for based on data and trends. Tools like Google Trends can help you identify popular search terms.
Organize by Category: Group similar products under common tags, such as “Summer Collection” or “New Arrivals,” to help customers browse related items.
Use Tags for Seasonal or Promotional Events: Add tags for temporary events like “Holiday Sale” or “Winter Clearance” to drive sales during specific periods.
Leverage Tag Hierarchies: Implement nested tags for more complex product categories, allowing customers to refine their searches further.
Regularly Update Tags: Review and refresh your tags periodically to reflect current trends, new products, and seasonal changes.

How to Use Search Tags to Create Custom Filters

Shopify tags improve your store's search functionality and allow you to create custom filters that enhance the browsing experience.

How to Create Custom Filters from Shopify Tags using the Native App

While Shopify's native app offers basic functionality for creating custom filters based on tags, its customization options are limited.

Here's how to create custom filters using the Shopify Search & Discovery app:

Navigate to the Shopify Search & Discovery app in your admin dashboard.
Click Filters in the left-hand navigation and select the Add filter button.
From the Source dropdown, select Tag.
Customize Filter Settings: You can adjust the filter label, choose between "AND" or "OR" logic, and select the specific tag value you want to display.

While the native app provides a basic framework for creating tag-based filters, you are unable to modify the filter's display style, behavior, or add features like tooltips or sorting.

Shopify Search & Discovery app lacks the advanced customization options third-party apps like Boost offer.

For a more comprehensive and customizable approach to filter management, consider using Boost AI Search & Discovery, which offers a broader range of features and greater control over your filter settings.

How to Create Custom Filters from Shopify Tags with Boost

Boost AI Search & Discovery empowers you to craft highly customized filters based on Shopify tags, providing a more refined and targeted shopping experience.

Here's how to create custom filters using Boost:

Navigate to the Boost AI Search & Discovery menu. Click on Filters > Filter trees.
Choose a Filter Tree: You can either edit an existing filter tree or create a new one by clicking the +Add new filter tree button.
Click on +Add new filter option to create a new filter based on tags. From the Option type dropdown, choose Tag.
Customize your Filter by Tags: Adjust the filter's label, display options (e.g., list, checkbox, swatch), and select whether it allows single or multiple selections.
Explore Advanced Settings to display tooltips, sort filter values, and fine-tune the filter's behavior.

Boost's custom filters offer enhanced control, allowing you to tailor filters to your customers' specific needs, ultimately driving sales and customer satisfaction. This granular control is lacking in simple discovery apps like the one provided by Shopify.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shopify Tags

1. How many characters can a Shopify tag have?

A: Tags associated with orders and draft orders can have up to 40 characters, while those for products, transfers, customers, and blog posts can have up to 255 characters.

2. Are Shopify search tags case-sensitive?

A: No, tags are not case-sensitive. For example, "New Arrivals" and "new arrival" are considered the same tag.

3. What characters can I use in Shopify tagging system?

A: You can use letters, numbers, and hyphens in your tags. However, letters with accents and other symbols may exclude search results.

4. How many tags can I apply to an item?

A: You can apply up to 250 tags to each product, customer, transfer, blog post, order, or draft order.

Before You Leave

Shopify search tags are vital tools for improving product discoverability and enhancing the customer experience in your online store. By using descriptive, consistent tags and implementing best practices in naming and categorization, you can ensure that customers easily find your products.

Leveraging tools like Boost AI Search & Discovery can further optimize your tagging system, providing powerful filtering options that help customers find exactly what they’re looking for.

Start optimizing your Shopify store today by implementing search tags and product filters by tags using Boost. Your first 14 days are always on us!

Ellie Ho

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Content Marketing Specialist

August 20, 2024

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5 min read

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