Predictive search settings

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1. Company XYZ documentation on predictive search settings
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Use this settings group to shape what customers see in the search panel before and during typing. You can enable real-time suggestions, choose which menu links appear as default content, and add supporting promotional or trust-building elements around search.

These controls only affect the search experience when predictive search is active and the required search app is installed and configured.

For more setup context, see Predictive search settings. For a broader overview of theme customization, see Shopify documentation on the theme editor

Predictive results

Enable predictive results when you want the search panel to update as customers type. This creates a faster, more guided search experience and can help customers reach products or content with fewer steps.

If predictive search is not part of your setup, these controls will not change live search behavior. In that case, focus on the default search content so the search panel still provides useful navigation before a query is entered.

Default search content

Default results turn the empty search state into a browsable menu of suggested destinations. This is useful for promoting popular categories, seasonal collections, or other high-intent links before customers type anything.

Use the default results title to label this area in a clear, customer-friendly way. If you leave it empty, the selected menu name is used instead, which works well when that menu already has a strong label.

Choose the primary default results menu for the main search area when you want a short, focused list of top destinations. Because this area only shows top-level items, it works best with a concise menu rather than a full navigation tree.

Choose the secondary default results menu when you want to support browsing with more structure. This area can show two menu levels, with the top level acting as headings, so it is a good place for grouped links and broader discovery paths.

Tip

If your main navigation is long, create search-specific menus with fewer, higher-priority links. Search panels are easier to scan when the default content is tightly curated.

Banner and features bar

You can add extra content around search by enabling the banner or features bar. These options are useful when you want the search panel to reinforce promotions, service highlights, or brand messages while customers browse. For setup details, see Shopify documentation on sections and blocks

Use the banner for stronger visual emphasis. Use the features bar for shorter supporting messages when you want to keep the search experience lighter and more utility-focused.

Be selective with both options. Search should still feel quick and easy to scan, so supporting content should complement the results rather than compete with them.

Caution

If the search panel starts to feel crowded, reduce the number of default links or disable extra content so customers can focus on search suggestions more easily.

Usage notes

1. Review both search states. Check the empty panel and the typed-query panel together so default links, suggestions, and supporting content each serve a clear purpose.
2. Keep menus tightly curated. Use a focused set of high-priority links so the empty search state stays fast to scan and easy to understand.
3. Check desktop and mobile separately. Layout, alignment, and media presentation can shift between viewport sizes, so confirm the panel still reads well on both.
4. Use media sparingly. Strong visual treatments can improve emphasis, but separate desktop and mobile media choices may change cropping and readability.
5. Protect readability in form states. If your search area includes input-driven messaging, make sure success, empty, and error text remains easy to read.