◦ Comprehensive security
◦ 24/7 support
Magento Guide → Product Discovery
Product discovery in Magento: Top tools and best practices
Help your customers find what they love faster. Magento’s powerful features and AI integrations can transform product discovery into a personalized, conversion-friendly experience.
Host Magento at full throttle.
Get secure, reliable Magento hosting so you can scale faster.
What is product discovery in Magento?
Product discovery is a set of processes and paths customers take to explore your Magento store to find the products they want—even if they don’t know what they’re looking for yet. It covers everything from search bars and category pages, to AI recommendations and visual filters.
Improving discovery means improving conversions. When shoppers can find relevant items quickly and effortlessly, they’re more likely to buy, stay longer, and return often. Magento supports robust native features, but the real magic happens when you layer in AI and tailored merchandising strategies.
1. Enhance on-site search with intelligent tools
Magento’s default search is functional but limited. For larger catalogs or competitive markets, intelligent upgrades are essential.
Key options:
- Native search: Magento’s built-in keyword search is fast and configurable but not personalized. You can configure it under Stores > Configuration > Catalog > Catalog Search to adjust search type (like “Like” or “Fulltext”) and set minimal query length.
- Search-as-you-type: Predictive suggestions appear as users type, speeding up navigation. You can enable this through third-party extensions like Klevu, Luigi’s Box, or Adobe Live Search, which offer JavaScript widgets or API integrations.
- Search synonyms: Helps match terms like “jeans” with “denim” to reduce dead ends. Set these up in the Magento Admin by going to Marketing > SEO & Search > Search Synonyms and linking common alternatives.
- AI-powered search extensions: Tools like Klevu, Luigi’s Box, and LupaSearch offer typo correction, NLP, and behavioral ranking. Install these through Magento Marketplace or via Composer, then configure API keys and feature toggles in the extension’s admin settings.
2. Use product recommendations to personalize discovery
Recommendations turn casual browsers into high-value customers when they feel personalized and relevant.
Recommendation types:
- Related products: Highlight complementary items or alternatives. Set these manually per product in the Magento Admin under the Related Products, Up-Sells, and Cross-Sells section.
- Trending products: Show what’s popular to build urgency and trust. Use rule-based product listings or custom widgets to feature bestsellers, either via Page Builder or a third-party analytics plugin.
- AI-personalized suggestions: Tailor options based on past behaviors, location, or segments. Enable AI-based tools like Adobe Product Recommendations or Klevu, which pull behavioral data and render dynamic blocks.
- Bundling tools: Promote complete-the-look or kit-style groupings. Create product bundles in the Magento Admin by choosing “Bundle Product” as the product type and assigning included items.
3. Organize your catalog for better browsing
Even the smartest search won’t save a poorly structured catalog.
Best practices:
- Use logical categories: Structure from broad to narrow, e.g., “Women > Dresses > Maxi.” Create and manage categories in Catalog > Categories and assign products via the category tab on each product’s page.
- Apply consistent product attributes: Sizes, colors, brands, and other attributes power effective filtering. Define and group product attributes under Stores > Attributes > Product and assign them to attribute sets.
- Implement layered navigation: Let users refine product lists with faceted search. Enable layered navigation by assigning filterable attributes to your product listings and enabling them under “Catalog Input Type.”
- Standardize product names and tags: Avoid inconsistent naming conventions that confuse search and filters. Use clear naming patterns during product creation and review for consistency in the product grid or using CSV bulk updates.
4. Improve category merchandising with AI
Category pages don’t just organize your products, they guide discovery. With AI, you can customize them in real time.
A few tips:
- Use smart sorting: Show top sellers, high-margin items, or low inventory first. Set default sort options under Stores > Configuration > Catalog > Catalog > Product Listing Sort by, or use extensions that support rule-based sorting.
- Set up rule-based slots: Ensure seasonal or promotional items appear first automatically. Use merchandising extensions or Adobe Live Search’s visual rules to prioritize product display order.
- Personalize layout: Show different versions of the same category based on customer segments. Leverage customer segmentation in Adobe Commerce or third-party personalization platforms to tailor category layouts.
5. Add advanced filtering and sorting options
Users expect to narrow their results quickly and intuitively, especially on mobile.
Features to enable:
- Multi-select filters: Let shoppers choose more than one value per attribute (e.g., red + blue). Enable this with advanced layered navigation modules from extensions like Amasty or Mageplaza.
- Dynamic sorting: Sort by popularity, rating, availability, or price. Use a custom sorting extension or configure custom sort logic through backend development or merchandising tools.
- Responsive design: Ensure filters are accessible and usable on smaller screens. Test filter UX with mobile-first themes and enhance usability with mobile filter widgets from frontend UI kits or extensions.
- Custom logic: Prioritize eco-friendly or local products for certain customer groups. Use Magento’s product attributes and segment-based rules in combination with smart merchandising tools to show priority listings.
Magento supports layered navigation natively, but third-party extensions can make filters more flexible and intelligent.
6. Experiment with AI-powered image search
Visual search is gaining traction, especially in industries where style and aesthetics lead purchase decisions.
Options:
- AI-powered image recognition: Customers upload an image to find similar items in your catalog. Integrate a visual search tool like ViSenze via API and map image metadata to Magento product attributes.
- Third-party plugins: Integrate services like ViSenze or Slyce with Magento. Install and configure these plugins through Composer or the Magento Marketplace, ensuring image indexing is active.
- Best use cases: Apparel, accessories, furniture, and home decor. Tailor implementation by creating visual search widgets or icons on relevant category pages or search bars.
Visual search adds a modern discovery layer for shoppers who can’t describe what they want, but know it when they see it.
7. Gather insights from user behavior and search data
Better discovery starts with better understanding. Dig into what users are doing—and not doing—on your site.
Insights to collect:
- Top search queries: Identify what users are actively looking for. Use Magento’s built-in Reports under Reports > Search Terms, or extract data from GA4 or your AI tool’s dashboard.
- Zero-result searches: Spot missing products or synonym opportunities. Monitor failed search reports from tools like Klevu or Adobe Live Search to refine product data and synonym lists.
- Filter behavior: Understand which attributes matter most. Review product filter usage with Hotjar or filter tracking in analytics platforms like GA4 or Mixpanel.
- Click and scroll heatmaps: See what grabs attention on category and product pages. Add Hotjar, FullStory, or Microsoft Clarity scripts to Magento and view heatmap reports segmented by device or customer group.
8. Use content blocks to guide discovery
Sometimes users don’t need more filters—they need context. Curated content blocks can lead shoppers to products they didn’t know they wanted.
Use cases:
- Shop the look: A style guide block with clickable outfits. Create visual blocks in Magento Page Builder and insert product links using dynamic widgets.
- Buying guides: Explain how to choose between technical products or sizes. Write content in CMS pages or blog modules and embed product carousels using layout updates or shortcodes.
- Seasonal promos: Link homepage banners to curated categories or search results. Build static blocks tied to campaigns, then assign them via Widgets to specific pages or customer groups.
- In-blog merchandising: Embed product sliders into relevant content. Use Magento’s native widget system or Page Builder drag-and-drop features to place product collections inside blog content.
You can implement these using Magento’s CMS Blocks, Page Builder, or layout XML updates. Combine with segmentation to personalize which blocks appear to whom.
Top Magento tools for product discovery
These tools specialize in smarter search, intuitive filters, AI-driven merchandising, and recommendation engines that plug directly into Magento.
| Tool | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Klevu | AI search, recommendations, analytics | Mid-to-large Magento stores |
| Luigi’s Box | Autocomplete, typo tolerance, merchandising | Personalized search experiences |
| Bloomreach | Semantic search, product grid optimization | Large, multi-language stores |
| LupaSearch | Fast search, filters, machine learning models | Speed-focused Magento sites |
| Adobe Live Search | Native integration, AI sort/rank | Adobe Commerce users |
Klevu
Klevu is an AI-powered discovery suite that enhances Magento’s search, product recommendations, and category merchandising. It uses NLP (natural language processing) to understand shopper intent and surfaces relevant results, even for long-tail or misspelled queries.
Key strengths:
- NLP-powered search with real-time learning
- Personalized recommendations across the store
- Analytics dashboards to monitor performance and behavior
Best for: Mid-to-large Magento stores looking for smart search and AI-driven merchandising in one package.
Luigi’s Box
Luigi’sBox focuses on providing intuitive, personalized search and product discovery tools that adapt to user behavior. Features include typo correction, autocomplete, advanced filtering, and visual merchandising support for category pages.
Key strengths:
- Fast setup and clean UI
- Customizable ranking algorithms
- Seamless Magento integration and dashboard
Best for: Stores that want a personalized, low-maintenance search solution with AI built-in.
Bloomreach
Bloomreach combines advanced semantic search with deep ecommerce personalization. It enables dynamic category page optimization, powerful merchandising rules, and multilingual support for global stores.
Key strengths:
- Real-time product grid personalization
- AI ranking algorithms optimized for revenue
- Strong internationalization support
Best for: Large Magento sites needing multi-language support and enterprise-grade personalization.
LupaSearch
LupaSearch delivers fast and relevant search results using proprietary AI models. It’s known for high-speed performance and robust scalability, making it a favorite for merchants focused on performance.
Key strengths:
- Machine learning for synonym detection and ranking
- Built-in typo tolerance and filtering enhancements
- Real-time search analytics
Best for: Magento stores with large product catalogs that prioritize speed and intelligent search accuracy.
Adobe Live Search
Native to Adobe Commerce, Live Search uses Adobe Sensei to offer smart search and ranking features right out of the box. It’s deeply integrated, fast to deploy, and constantly improving through Adobe’s AI platform.
Key strengths:
- Seamless integration with Magento admin
- AI-driven search ranking and synonym management
- No third-party dependency for Adobe Commerce users
Best for: Magento store owners already on Adobe Commerce who want a native AI discovery tool.
Getting started with product discovery in Magento
Improving product discovery isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s critical for boosting sales, engagement, and loyalty.
Start by evaluating your current search and category experience. Then layer in AI-powered tools like Klevu, Bloomreach, or Luigi’s Box to personalize and optimize how customers find products.
Ready to upgrade your Magento experience? Professional hosting improves speeds, security, and reliability for a website and a brand that people find engaging and trustworthy.
Liquid Web offers the raw infrastructure power you need with mission-critical features that keep your store running smoothly. Most importantly, our in-house Magento experts are standing by to help with both hosting and Magento application roadblocks.
Click through below to explore all of our Magento hosting options, or chat with an expert right now to get answers and advice.
Ready to get started?
Get the fastest, most secure Magento hosting on the market
Additional resources
What is Magento Ecommerce? →
A complete beginner’s guide to the Magento Ecommerce platform
Magneto vs. WordPress →
Compare pricing, hosting, security, SEO, and a lot more
Best Magento ERP extensions →
Our top 10 compared so you can decide which is best for your business