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site_search

Site search that works by URL

Why it matters Agents query the catalog by search URL instead of clicking; script-only search forces them into a slow browser.

Category
Action (cart and orders)
Weight
1 of 100 points
Critical blocker
No. If it fails, it only costs its own weight.
Applies to
Online stores
Effort
1-2 hours · developer
Score model
v2.4

How we measure it

We look for search that works through a URL parameter on the homepage: a SearchAction in structured data or a search form sent with GET (q, s, search…). A script-only search box is a partial pass; no search fails.

What the result page says

These are the sentences in the test result; “…” is replaced by what we found on your site.

  • PassedSite search works with a URL parameter (e.g. /search?q=…).
  • PartialThere’s a search box, but it only works with script and can’t be queried by URL.
  • FailedNo site search was found.

How to fix it

Target: Search submits a GET form to a URL parameter; WebSite data declares a SearchAction.

Example code

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebSite",
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "SearchAction",
    "target": "https://example.com/search?q=…",
    "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
  }
}

Example values (example.com, product name, price) are placeholders; replace them with your own.

How to verify it yourself

A URL like https://example.com/search?q=test should open a results page directly.

Fix it with an AI coding agent

Paste this into Claude Code, Cursor or another coding agent working on your store’s code. Review the change before you deploy it.

You are working on my online store. Specoria’s agent readiness test checks the item below. Fix it so AI shopping agents can read the store and act on it.

## 1. Site search that works by URL (site_search)
Target: Search submits a GET form to a URL parameter; WebSite data declares a SearchAction.
Example fix (adapt it to this codebase and platform; example values are placeholders):
```
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebSite",
  "url": "https://example.com",
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "SearchAction",
    "target": "https://example.com/search?q=…",
    "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
  }
}
```
Reference: https://specoria.com/method/checks/site-search/

## Rules
- First look through the codebase and tell me which files or templates you will change, before editing anything.
- Change only what these checks need, and keep the visible page and the structured data saying the same thing.
- Never invent prices, stock, shipping or return terms, reviews or product identifiers (GTIN): take them from the store’s real data or ask me.
- Don’t block or slow down real visitors and don’t add tracking.
- After deploying, run the free test again at https://specoria.com/ to verify the fix.

Specifications and guidance

The check is based on these open sources; links go to the publisher’s own pages.

Where it sits in the 196-criteria framework

The result of this check counts as evidence for these items of the readiness framework:

  • 0.site_search Shopping flow (Specoria) section

The framework and its source →

Run the free test See the sample report →