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WordPress Guide → Widgets → Add Search Bar
How to add a search bar in WordPress
Visitors won’t dig through menus or archives to find what they want—they’ll bounce. A search bar solves that. It’s quick to add, easy to customize, and makes your site far more usable.
Let’s look at the best ways to add a search bar in WordPress, with options for both beginners and advanced users.
Benefits of adding a search bar to your WordPress site
Before jumping into the how-to, here’s why adding a search bar is more than just a nice feature.
- Improves user experience. Visitors can quickly find specific content, reducing frustration and bounce rates.
- Increases engagement. A well-placed search bar keeps users exploring instead of leaving.
- Supports content-heavy sites. If you blog frequently or run an ecommerce store, search bars help users cut through the clutter.
- Helps gather insights. Tracking what people search for gives you direct insight into user intent and content gaps.
1. Add a search bar using the widget panel
Using the widget panel is the most straightforward method and works with nearly every WordPress theme.
Access the widget panel
From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Widgets. If you’re using a block-based theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four), open Appearance > Editor and access the header, footer, or sidebar templates.
Add the Search widget
Find the widget labeled Search. Drag it to your desired location—typically the sidebar or footer.
Customize the widget settings
You can rename the widget title, adjust visibility using a plugin like Block Visibility, and click Update to save your changes.
2. Use the Gutenberg Search block
If you’re using the block editor, you can place a search bar anywhere—even in the middle of a page or post.
Insert the Search block
Open any page or post in the editor. Click the + icon or type /search to insert the Search block.
Customize the Search block style
Adjust the placeholder text, choose whether to show a search button, and change layout or alignment to match your design.
Place in reusable template parts
Using a block theme? Add the Search block to reusable parts like your header, footer, or sidebar via Appearance > Editor > Templates.
3. Add a search bar using a plugin
Plugins give you extra flexibility, better accuracy, and more styling options.
Choose a search plugin
Some popular plugins include:
- Relevanssi – Replaces the default search with a relevance-based engine.
- Ajax Search Lite – Adds live search with autocomplete and instant results.
- Ivory Search – Easily insert a search bar without code or customization.
Insert via widget or shortcode
After activating the plugin, you’ll usually get a new widget and/or shortcode. Place the widget like you would any other, or paste the shortcode into a post, page, or theme file.
4. Add a custom search bar with code
This method is best for developers or advanced users who want full control.
Find the right theme file
Common locations include header.php, sidebar.php, or a custom template part.
Insert the search form
In your theme file, insert:
<?php get_search_form(); ?>Or build a custom search form manually using HTML.
Style with CSS
You can style the search form using your theme’s stylesheet or the Customizer. Use CSS to adjust width, colors, padding, or layout.
Optimizing your WordPress search bar
Now you’ve got the search bar on the site, let’s make the most of it. Pro tips:
Customize the WordPress search experience
Even with a basic search bar, the default behavior isn’t always ideal. You can enhance it for relevance and speed.
Replace the default search engine
Some plugins index all your content, including custom fields and post types.
Add filters or dropdowns
Many plugins let you add search filters for categories, tags, or post types—especially useful for ecommerce or directories.
Display live/autocomplete results
Ajax-powered plugins like Ajax Search Lite provide instant suggestions as users type.
Place your search bar strategically
Where you place your search bar affects how often users will use it.
Common locations
- Header – Most visible and accessible.
- Sidebar – Works well for blogs or content-rich sites.
- Footer – Useful as a backup for users scrolling to the bottom.
- Mobile menu – Should be easy to tap and accessible without scrolling.
Make sure your search bar works on mobile
A search bar that looks great on desktop but breaks on mobile can frustrate users and hurt your site’s usability. Here’s how to ensure a smooth experience across all devices.
Use a responsive theme
Start with a mobile-friendly WordPress theme. Most modern themes are responsive by default, but if you’re using an older theme, test its mobile behavior using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
Place the search bar in a visible spot
On mobile devices, space is limited. Add the search bar to high-visibility areas like:
- The mobile navigation menu (often via a hamburger icon)
- The top of the page (header or sticky bar)
- A floating button that expands into a search field
Test tap targets and spacing
Make sure the search bar and its submit button are large enough to tap with a thumb. You’ll want at least 48px of height and enough padding around the elements to avoid accidental clicks.
Minimize screen clutter
Avoid placing the search bar next to too many other buttons or widgets. On smaller screens, this can cause overlap or make the search field hard to find.
Check plugin responsiveness
If you’re using a plugin like Ajax Search Lite or Relevanssi, test how the results appear on mobile. Some plugins offer mobile-specific settings or styling options.
Use browser dev tools for live testing
In Chrome or Firefox, right-click and choose Inspect, then toggle the mobile view to preview how your search bar behaves on different screen sizes. Adjust as needed using your theme’s Customizer or CSS.
Troubleshooting search bar issues
If your search bar isn’t displaying or working properly, here are some ways to fix it.
Check widget or block visibility
If your search bar isn’t showing, it might be hidden based on where or how it was added.
- Widgets: Go to Appearance > Widgets, click your Search widget, and look for any visibility rules. Plugins like Jetpack or Block Visibility might hide it based on device type or user role.
- Block editor: Click the Search block in your page or template, then check the right-hand sidebar under Block settings. Look for display conditions or visibility toggles.
- Plugins: Some search plugins let you control where the search bar shows up. Check the plugin’s settings to make sure it’s enabled on the correct pages or devices.
Tip: Open your site in an incognito window to see what it looks like to visitors who aren’t logged in.
Conflicts with themes or plugins
Temporarily switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) or deactivate plugins one by one to find conflicts.
Broken styling
If the layout looks off, inspect with browser developer tools and add custom CSS to correct it.
Add a voice search bar to WordPress
Voice input can boost accessibility and create a modern feel for your site.
Use a voice search plugin
Options like Voice Search integrate speech recognition into your site’s search bar.
Accessibility and mobile UX
Voice-enabled search makes your site easier to use for people with disabilities and improves usability on mobile devices.
FAQ about WordPress search bars
Is a search bar considered a widget in WordPress?
Yes. The Search bar is available as a widget under Appearance > Widgets, and also as a block in the block editor. Many plugins also add their own search widgets.
Can I add more than one search bar to my site?
Definitely. You can place multiple search blocks, widgets, or shortcodes in various locations—like the header, sidebar, and footer.
Will the search bar index custom post types?
Not by default. WordPress search only includes posts and pages unless you use a plugin like Relevanssi or SearchWP.
How do I track what visitors are searching for?
Use a plugin like Ivory Search or enable Site Search tracking in Google Analytics.
Can I style the search bar to match my theme?
Yes. Use the Customizer or custom CSS to change the search bar’s colors, padding, fonts, and layout.
Next steps for adding a search bar in WordPress
A search bar helps users find what they need faster, improves engagement, and gives you insight into what content matters most.
Pick the method that matches your skill level—widgets and blocks for beginners, plugins for more control, and code for full customization.
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Additional resources
What is WordPress? →
A complete beginner’s guide to basic WordPress options
WordPress widgets: How to add and use them →
Explore how WordPress widgets enhance site functionality by adding customizable features to your sidebar or footer.
A complete guide to WordPress shortcodes →
Shortcodes make life easier. Learn how to get started!
Kiki Sheldon works as a Security Specialist for Liquid Web with extensive knowledge of popular Content Management Systems (CMSs). She keeps up with technology and always looks to improve her technical skills. In her free time, she enjoys reading, especially classic books and detective stories.