Adding an Ajax taxonomies filter to your WordPress search can significantly improve the user experience on your website by allowing users to search based on categories, tags, custom fields, and post types. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this using two methods:
Method 1: Add Ajax Taxonomies to WordPress Search using SearchWP
Step 1: Install and Activate SearchWP
- Visit the SearchWP website and sign up for an account.
- Download the SearchWP plugin.
- Install and activate the plugin on your WordPress site.
Step 2: Configure SearchWP
- Navigate to
SearchWP » Settings
from your WordPress admin panel. - Enter the license key found in your SearchWP account.
- Go to the
SearchWP » Algorithm
page. - Click on the
Add/Remove Attributes
button to include taxonomies in the search relevance. - In the popup window, select the desired taxonomies (categories, tags, formats, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
- Adjust the relevance sliders for the selected taxonomies.
- Click the
Done
button to save your changes.
Step 3: Customize Search Rules
- Click the
Edit Rule
button to specify which content should appear in search results. - Add or remove categories and set conditions as needed.
- Save your settings by clicking the
Done
button.
Now, SearchWP will include taxonomies in the search process, improving the search functionality on your website.
Method 2: Add Ajax Taxonomies Filter Using Search & Filter Plugin
Step 1: Install and Activate Search & Filter
- Install and activate the Search & Filter plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
Step 2: Add Shortcodes for Taxonomies Filter
- Add the following shortcode to display a search filter with category and tag dropdowns:
plaintext[searchandfilter fields=”search,category,post_tag”]
- To add headings for categories and tags, use this shortcode:
[searchandfilter fields=”search,category,post_tag” headings=”,Categories,Tags”]
Step 3: Display Taxonomies Filter as Radio Buttons or Checkboxes
- To show taxonomy filters as checkboxes, use this shortcode:
[searchandfilter fields=”search,category,post_tag” types=”,checkbox,checkbox” headings=”,Categories,Tags”]
You can place these shortcodes in your sidebar, pages, or posts to allow users to filter content by categories, tags, and other taxonomies.
By following these methods, you can enhance your WordPress search functionality and provide a better user experience with Ajax-powered taxonomy filters.