In the digital age, providing an efficient way for users to find content on your website is crucial. WordPress, one of the most popular content management systems, offers numerous customization options to improve user experience. One of the most effective ways to enhance navigation on your site is by adding a search bar to your WordPress menu.

A search bar allows visitors to quickly locate specific content, products, or pages, making their browsing experience more enjoyable and efficient. With the increasing size and complexity of websites, a search bar placed within the main menu is not only a convenient tool for your users but also helps increase overall engagement and retention.

In this article, we’ll guide you through different methods of adding a search bar to your WordPress menu. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, you’ll find an approach that suits your needs and technical comfort level. By the end, you’ll have a fully functional and well-positioned search bar that enhances your site’s navigation and helps visitors find exactly what they’re looking for.

Why Adding a Search Bar to a WordPress Menu is Important

Adding a search bar to your WordPress menu can significantly enhance the user experience on your website. It’s not just about offering convenience—there are several compelling reasons why this feature is essential for your site’s functionality and performance.

1. Enhances Navigation and User Experience

A search bar in your menu gives visitors a quick and easy way to find specific content on your website. Instead of having to sift through multiple pages or categories, they can simply type keywords into the search bar. This reduces frustration, improves site usability, and ensures that your visitors can quickly access the content they need, increasing the likelihood that they’ll stay on your site longer.

2. Improves Website Searchability

As your website grows, so does the amount of content it holds. A well-placed search bar makes it easier for users to discover older posts, pages, or products that might otherwise be difficult to find. It also ensures that users don’t miss out on valuable content buried deep within your site’s structure. A good search feature can be the difference between a visitor getting frustrated and leaving or finding exactly what they were looking for.

3. Impact on SEO and Engagement

Searchability is key not only for user experience but also for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). A site with good internal search functionality often benefits from better user engagement. Visitors who find what they’re looking for more quickly are more likely to browse other content, return to the site later, or make a purchase if it’s an e-commerce site. Additionally, search data can provide valuable insights into what users are interested in, helping you optimize content and improve your overall site strategy.

4. Mobile-Friendly Navigation

With more users browsing websites on mobile devices, having an easily accessible search bar is essential for mobile-friendly navigation. By integrating a search bar directly into your WordPress menu, you make it simple for mobile users to find what they need, without needing to zoom in or navigate away from the current page. This boosts overall site performance and ensures a seamless experience for all visitors, regardless of the device they’re using.

5. Increases Conversion Rates

On e-commerce websites, a search bar can help visitors find products faster, leading to an improved shopping experience and, ultimately, higher conversion rates. For example, if a user is looking for a specific product and can’t find it quickly, they might abandon their search or leave the website altogether. A search bar placed prominently in your menu can decrease bounce rates and lead to more successful interactions, such as product purchases or form submissions.

Different Methods to Add a Search Bar to WordPress Menu

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of adding a search bar to your WordPress menu, let’s explore the various methods available for doing so. Depending on your technical expertise and preferences, you can choose from several approaches, each offering different levels of customization and ease of use.

Here are the main methods for adding a search bar to a WordPress menu:

1. Using WordPress Widgets
2. Using a Plugin
3. Customizing Your Theme Code

Each method has its own advantages and potential drawbacks. Let’s take a closer look at these options and walk through how to implement them.

Method 1: Using WordPress Widgets

One of the simplest ways to add a search bar to your WordPress menu is by using the built-in Widgets feature. Widgets in WordPress allow you to add various content blocks, including a search bar, to different areas of your site, including sidebars, footers, and menus. This method is straightforward and requires no coding knowledge, making it ideal for beginners.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Search Bar Using Widgets

1. Go to WordPress Dashboard
Start by logging into your WordPress admin dashboard.

2. Navigate to “Appearance” and then “Widgets”
On the left-hand sidebar of the dashboard, hover over or click on the Appearance tab. From the dropdown, select Widgets. This will open up the widgets management screen where you can add and customize various widgets.

3. Add the “Search” Widget to a Menu Area
In the Widgets section, look for the Search widget. You’ll find it listed among the available widgets. The Search widget allows users to input keywords and search for content on your website.

Now, you need to add this widget to your menu. Depending on your theme, there may be different areas where you can place the widget, such as the Sidebar, Footer, or directly within the Menu area. To add the search bar to your menu:

• Look for the menu or custom menu widget area on the right-hand side of the Widgets screen.
• Drag the Search widget to the desired area, typically the Primary Menu or Header Menu.

4. Customize Widget Settings
Once you’ve added the widget, you may have the option to customize its settings. You can change the title of the widget (e.g., “Search” or “Find Products”) to match your website’s theme or branding. If there are additional options to style the widget, adjust them according to your preference.

5. Save and Publish
After adding and customizing the widget, click Save to finalize the changes. Then, visit your website’s frontend to ensure the search bar is displaying correctly in your menu.

Pros and Cons of Using Widgets

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Adding a search bar through widgets is simple and doesn’t require coding knowledge.
• Quick Setup: The setup process is fast, and you can see results in just a few minutes.
• No Need for Plugins: If you’re looking for a lightweight solution without additional plugins, widgets offer a simple built-in method.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Depending on your theme, you might have limited options for customizing the widget’s appearance within the menu area.
• Theme Limitations: Not all WordPress themes allow you to add widgets directly to the main menu, so this method may not work for all setups.

Using widgets is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a quick, beginner-friendly solution. However, if you need more flexibility or advanced features, such as a customizable search algorithm, you might want to explore other methods.

Method 2: Using a Plugin

For users who want more flexibility, customization, and advanced functionality, using a plugin to add a search bar to your WordPress menu is an excellent option. WordPress offers a variety of plugins that make the process of adding a search bar not only easy but also powerful. These plugins can enhance the search experience by providing features like improved search algorithms, Ajax-powered search, and even advanced filters.

Recommended Plugins for Adding a Search Bar

Some popular plugins that allow you to integrate a customizable search bar into your WordPress menu include:

1. SearchWP
   • Overview: SearchWP is a powerful search plugin that enhances the default WordPress search functionality. It allows you to create custom search forms, tailor search results, and display the search bar wherever you choose, including the menu.
   • Features: Customizable search engines, indexing of custom post types, enhanced relevancy, and more.
   • Ideal For: Users who need more control over how search results are displayed.
2. Relevanssi
   • Overview: Relevanssi is another popular plugin that improves WordPress search. It replaces the default WordPress search with a more accurate and robust search engine that includes better results, customizable features, and fuzzy matching.
   • Features: Keyword highlighting, search statistics, and partial matching for more flexible results.
   • Ideal For: Websites with extensive content or those needing more refined search capabilities.
3. Ivory Search
   • Overview: Ivory Search allows you to add a custom search form to any part of your WordPress site, including the menu. This plugin is lightweight and offers an intuitive setup process.
   • Features: Ajax search, custom search forms, and the ability to configure search results to include or exclude certain content.
   • Ideal For: Users who want a simple and easy-to-use search bar plugin with multiple customization options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Search Bar Using a Plugin

1. Install and Activate a Search Plugin
Start by selecting a plugin from the list above or another plugin that fits your needs. To install the plugin:

• Go to your WordPress Dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
• In the search bar, type the name of the plugin you wish to install (e.g., “SearchWP” or “Relevanssi”).
• Click Install Now and then Activate once the plugin is installed.

2. Configure Plugin Settings
Once activated, go to the plugin’s settings page (usually located under Settings or directly in the WordPress menu). From there, you can configure the search settings, including what content types should be indexed, how results should be ordered, and any other customization options offered by the plugin.

3. Add the Search Bar to the Menu
Depending on the plugin, adding the search bar to the menu can be done in a couple of ways:

• For SearchWP: You may need to use a shortcode to add the search bar to a custom menu location. Alternatively, you can use a widget or theme builder to place the search form in your header.
• For Relevanssi: This plugin works similarly by replacing the default WordPress search, but you may need to adjust settings to ensure the search bar appears in the menu.
• For Ivory Search: Simply go to Ivory Search settings, configure the search bar options, and choose to display the search form in the header or menu area.

4. Customize the Appearance of the Search Bar
Many plugins allow you to customize the appearance of the search bar, either through the plugin settings or by adding custom CSS. Adjust the styling to match your site’s design by tweaking the font, color, padding, and other visual elements.

5. Save and Test
Once everything is set up, save your settings and visit the frontend of your website to ensure the search bar appears correctly in your menu. Test the search functionality to ensure it works as expected.

Pros and Cons of Using Plugins

Pros:

• Advanced Functionality: Plugins can significantly enhance the default WordPress search capabilities with features like Ajax search, custom search filters, and more.
• Easy to Use: Most search plugins come with easy-to-follow installation and setup guides, making it accessible even to beginners.
• Customization: Plugins give you a high degree of customization, from search appearance to search result accuracy.

Cons:

• Performance Impact: Some plugins, especially those that add advanced search capabilities, can slow down your website if not optimized properly.
• Plugin Conflicts: Occasionally, plugins can conflict with other themes or plugins, causing compatibility issues.
• Dependency: Using a plugin introduces an additional dependency, meaning you’ll need to update and maintain the plugin regularly.

Using a plugin is an excellent choice if you want a powerful, customizable search feature with minimal effort. Plugins like SearchWP, Relevanssi, and Ivory Search are ideal for websites that require advanced search features or a more robust search experience.

Method 3: Customizing Your Theme Code

For users who want complete control over the appearance and functionality of the search bar, customizing your theme code is an ideal method. This approach requires some knowledge of HTML, PHP, and CSS but allows you to add a search bar directly into your WordPress menu, giving you full flexibility to design and adjust the search functionality as you see fit.

By adding custom code, you can ensure the search bar blends seamlessly with your website’s design, allowing for deeper customization and tailoring to your needs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Custom Search Bar Using Code

1. Backup Your Website
Before you start making any changes to your theme files, it’s important to create a backup of your website. Customizing theme code can sometimes cause unexpected issues, so having a backup will allow you to restore your site if something goes wrong.

2. Access Your Theme’s Files
To add a custom search bar to your menu, you will need to edit your theme’s header or navigation files. You can do this by:

• Going to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard.
• From the Theme Files panel on the right, select header.php or functions.php, depending on where you want to add the search bar.

3. Add the Search Form to the Menu Code
To insert a search bar into your menu, you’ll need to add the search form code within your theme’s menu area. You can do this by adding the following code to your header.php or nav.php file where your menu is located:

<?php get_search_form(); ?>

This code calls the default WordPress search form and places it wherever you want it within your menu or navigation area. You can place it within a <div>, <li>, or any other HTML element depending on your menu structure.

4. Customize the Search Form’s HTML (Optional)
If you want to customize the HTML output of the search form (e.g., adding custom placeholder text or modifying the search button’s appearance), you can do so by editing the searchform.php file in your theme’s directory. If your theme doesn’t already have a searchform.php file, you can create one.

Here’s an example of a simple search form you can add to the searchform.php file:

<form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="<?php echo home_url( '/' ); ?>">
    <label for="search-input">
        <span class="screen-reader-text"><?php echo _x( 'Search for:', 'label', 'textdomain' ); ?></span>
    </label>
    <input type="search" id="search-input" class="search-field" placeholder="Search..." value="<?php echo get_search_query(); ?>" name="s" />
    <button type="submit" class="search-submit">Search</button>
</form>

5. Add Custom Styles to the Search Bar
Once the search form is added to your menu, you may want to adjust its appearance to ensure it fits seamlessly with the rest of your menu design. To do this, you’ll need to modify your theme’s CSS.

You can add custom CSS either directly in the style.css file of your theme or via the Customizer (under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS).

Here’s an example of CSS to style the search form:

.search-form {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    padding: 5px;
}

.search-field {
    border: 1px solid #ccc;
    padding: 8px;
    font-size: 14px;
    border-radius: 4px;
}

.search-submit {
    background-color: #0073e6;
    color: #fff;
    border: none;
    padding: 8px 12px;
    margin-left: 5px;
    cursor: pointer;
    border-radius: 4px;
}

.search-submit:hover {
    background-color: #005bb5;
}

This will style the search bar with a simple layout and some basic colors. You can adjust these styles to fit your site’s theme.

6. Save Changes and Test
After adding the code and custom styles, save your changes and visit your website to check if the search bar is displaying properly in your menu. Test the search functionality to make sure it’s working as expected.

Pros and Cons of Customizing Your Theme Code

Pros:

• Full Customization: Customizing your theme code gives you complete control over the search bar’s appearance and functionality, allowing you to make precise adjustments.
• No Plugin Dependencies: You won’t need to rely on third-party plugins, which can sometimes conflict with other elements on your site.
• Tailored Design: You can make the search bar match your website’s design and branding exactly.

Cons:

• Requires Technical Knowledge: This method requires familiarity with HTML, PHP, and CSS. If you’re not comfortable editing code, it may be best to choose a plugin or widget-based approach.
• Potential for Errors: Mistakes in the code can break parts of your website or affect your site’s performance. Always test changes thoroughly.
• Theme Updates: If your theme is updated, your custom changes could be overwritten unless you’re using a child theme.

Customizing your theme code is the most flexible method, providing full control over the search functionality and appearance. However, it’s best suited for users who are comfortable with web development or those who want a highly personalized search bar.

How to Style the Search Bar for Better Visual Appeal

Once you’ve successfully added a search bar to your WordPress menu, the next step is ensuring that it looks good and aligns with your website’s design. Styling your search bar not only improves its visual appeal but also enhances the overall user experience by making the search functionality more intuitive and accessible.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you customize the appearance of your search bar:

1. Adjusting the Size and Position

You want your search bar to be easy to find without taking up too much space in the menu. Typically, search bars are placed in the header or navigation area, so it’s essential to ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the menu items.

CSS Example:

.search-form {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    padding: 5px;
    margin-right: 20px; /* Adds space from other menu items */
}

.search-field {
    width: 200px; /* Adjusts the width of the input field */
    padding: 8px;
    font-size: 14px;
    border-radius: 4px;
}

.search-submit {
    padding: 8px 12px;
    background-color: #0073e6;
    color: white;
    border: none;
    border-radius: 4px;
    cursor: pointer;
}

Explanation:

• The .search-form class ensures the search bar is centered and spaced out properly.
• The .search-field class controls the width and padding of the search input, ensuring it doesn’t appear too small or large.
• The .search-submit class styles the search button to match your site’s branding and make it stand out.

2. Improving Button Visibility

The search button should be clearly visible, especially on mobile devices where space is limited. To make it more prominent, you can style the button with contrasting colors and hover effects.

CSS Example:

.search-submit {
    background-color: #0073e6;
    color: white;
    border: none;
    padding: 8px 12px;
    cursor: pointer;
    border-radius: 4px;
    transition: background-color 0.3s ease;
}

.search-submit:hover {
    background-color: #005bb5; /* Darkens button color on hover */
}

Explanation:

• The .search-submit button now has a transition effect, so when users hover over it, the background color changes smoothly, providing a more interactive experience.
• The background color on hover (#005bb5) is darker to indicate interactivity.

3. Customizing the Search Input Field

The search input field itself should be easy to spot and interact with. You can customize the placeholder text, background color, border, and font size to make it more visually appealing.

CSS Example:

.search-field {
    padding: 10px;
    font-size: 16px;
    border: 2px solid #ccc; /* Subtle border for better definition */
    border-radius: 4px;
    transition: border-color 0.3s ease;
}

.search-field:focus {
    border-color: #0073e6; /* Changes border color when the field is focused */
    outline: none; /* Removes default focus outline */
}

Explanation:

• The .search-field class adds a subtle border and padding to give the input field a clean look.
• The :focus pseudo-class highlights the input field when users click into it, making it more user-friendly.

4. Responsive Design for Mobile Devices

With a growing number of users accessing websites on mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure your search bar is mobile-friendly. You might need to adjust the layout of the search bar on smaller screens to ensure it fits properly.

CSS Example for Mobile Devices:

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .search-form {
        flex-direction: column; /* Stacks the input and button vertically */
    }

    .search-field {
        width: 100%; /* Makes the input field take up full width */
        margin-bottom: 10px; /* Adds space between input and button */
    }

    .search-submit {
        width: 100%; /* Makes the button take up full width */
        padding: 10px; /* Increases padding for easier clicking */
    }
}

Explanation:

• The @media query targets screens that are 768px wide or smaller (common for tablets and mobile phones).
• The .search-form changes the layout of the search bar to a vertical stack, ensuring that both the input field and button are easy to interact with on mobile.
• The .search-field and .search-submit take up the full width to make the search form more accessible and mobile-friendly.

5. Adding Icon or Placeholder Text

A search bar can look even more polished with the addition of an icon or customized placeholder text inside the input field. This gives users a visual cue and helps them understand the search functionality right away.

CSS Example with Search Icon:

.search-field {
    padding-left: 30px; /* Adds space for the icon */
    background-image: url('path/to/search-icon.png'); /* Adds search icon */
    background-position: 10px center;
    background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

.search-field::placeholder {
    color: #888;
    font-style: italic;
    text-align: center;
}

Explanation:

• The .search-field uses background-image to add a search icon inside the input field, giving users a clear indication of what the field is for.
• The ::placeholder pseudo-element customizes the placeholder text inside the input field, adjusting the color, font style, and alignment.

6. Styling for Accessibility

Ensuring that your search bar is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is essential. You can improve accessibility by adding a clear label and ensuring sufficient contrast between the text and background.

CSS Example for Accessibility:

.search-form label {
    display: none; /* Hides label visually but still keeps it for screen readers */
}

.search-field {
    font-size: 16px;
    color: #333; /* Dark text for better readability */
    background-color: #fff; /* White background for high contrast */
}

Explanation:

• The label is hidden visually using display: none, but it remains accessible to screen readers. This ensures that users relying on assistive technologies can still interact with the search bar.
• The text color and background color are adjusted for better readability, improving the contrast between the search field and the surrounding elements.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

While adding a search bar to your WordPress menu can be a straightforward process, there may be times when you run into issues. These problems could range from the search bar not appearing at all to styling issues or functionality errors. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

Here are some common problems you might encounter and their solutions:

1. Search Bar Not Appearing in the Menu

Problem: After following the steps to add the search bar, it might not appear in your menu or header section. This can be caused by several factors, such as a conflict with your theme or a problem with how the widget or plugin was added.

Solution:

• Check Your Theme Settings: Ensure your theme supports adding widgets or search forms to the menu area. Some themes may not have the required hooks or settings enabled for this.
• Ensure Correct Placement: Double-check that you’ve added the search form to the correct location in the menu or header code. If you’re using a plugin, ensure the widget or shortcode is placed correctly within your theme files.
• Disable Conflicting Plugins: Sometimes, other plugins that modify your header or menu can conflict with the search bar. Try disabling other plugins temporarily to see if the issue is resolved.
• Clear Cache: If you’re using a caching plugin, clear the cache to ensure your changes appear on the frontend.

2. Search Function Not Working Properly

Problem: The search bar appears in your menu, but when users enter a search term, it either doesn’t return any results or doesn’t work as expected.

Solution:

• Check Plugin Settings: If you’re using a plugin like SearchWP or Relevanssi, make sure the plugin’s settings are configured correctly. For example, ensure that custom post types or other content types you want to be searchable are indexed.
• Test Default WordPress Search: If you’re using the default WordPress search, try performing a search with a simple term. If it doesn’t work, there may be an issue with your WordPress installation or the search feature itself. Check if the search functionality is enabled in Settings > Reading.
• Reindex Your Content: In plugins like Relevanssi, you may need to manually reindex your site’s content to ensure that new posts or custom content types are included in search results.

3. Styling Issues with the Search Bar

Problem: The search bar doesn’t look as expected on your site, either because it’s not aligned properly, the text is hard to read, or the button is too small.

Solution:

• Use Custom CSS: If the default styling is insufficient, you can use custom CSS to adjust the appearance. For instance, adjust padding, margin, font sizes, colors, and button positioning to ensure the search bar fits well with your site’s design.
• Inspect Element Tool: Use the browser’s Inspect Element tool to check the styles applied to the search bar. You can tweak CSS directly in the developer tools to see changes in real-time before applying them in your theme’s stylesheet.
• Mobile Responsiveness: If the search bar isn’t displaying correctly on mobile devices, check your media queries to ensure the layout adapts properly on smaller screens. You may need to adjust widths, padding, or stacking elements for better mobile compatibility.

4. Search Bar Appears, but No Results Are Returned

Problem: The search bar appears in the menu, but when a user enters a search query, no results are returned, even though relevant content exists on your site.

Solution:

• Check Content Indexing: If you are using a plugin like SearchWP, ensure that the plugin is correctly indexing all content on your site, including custom post types or taxonomy terms. Go to the plugin’s settings to reindex your content or enable indexing for additional content types.
• Review the Query: Ensure that your search query is formulated correctly and is able to pull results. If you’re using custom post types or taxonomies, make sure that they are included in your search index.
• Switch to Default Theme: If the issue persists, switch to a default WordPress theme (such as Twenty Twenty-Three) to determine if the problem is related to your current theme. This can help isolate whether the issue is theme-specific.

5. Search Bar Placement Issues on Different Devices

Problem: The search bar looks fine on desktop but doesn’t align or appear correctly on mobile or tablet devices.

Solution:

• Use Responsive CSS: To ensure that the search bar looks good on all devices, use CSS media queries to make it responsive. Set different styles based on the screen size (e.g., adjusting widths, stacking elements, changing button sizes).
• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure that your search bar has enough space on mobile screens and isn’t hidden behind other elements like navigation menus or headers. You might need to adjust padding or margins for smaller screens.

Example of responsive CSS for mobile:

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .search-form {
        flex-direction: column;
        width: 100%;
    }

    .search-field {
        width: 100%; /* Make input field full width */
    }

    .search-submit {
        width: 100%; /* Make button full width on small screens */
        margin-top: 10px; /* Adds space between input and button */
    }
}

6. Search Bar Doesn’t Fit Well with Menu Items

Problem: If you’re adding the search bar directly to the menu, it might not fit well with other items or look awkward within the layout.

Solution:

• Adjust Menu Spacing: Modify the CSS to ensure the search bar doesn’t crowd other menu items. You can add margin or padding to create sufficient space around the search form.
• Custom Menu Styles: If your theme uses a custom menu structure, ensure that the search bar is properly integrated within the HTML structure, such as inside a <li> element or similar. If necessary, adjust the width of the menu container to accommodate the search form.
• Consider a Toggle Search: For cleaner aesthetics, consider using a toggle or slide-out search bar, where the search form only appears when the user clicks a search icon. This method minimizes the space taken by the search form in the header.

Conclusion

Adding a search bar to your WordPress menu is a great way to enhance the usability and functionality of your website. Whether you choose to use a simple widget, install a plugin for more advanced features, or customize the code for full control, there are plenty of methods to integrate this feature.

If you run into any issues, don’t worry! The troubleshooting tips outlined above should help you resolve common problems. With the right approach, you can create a seamless and user-friendly search experience for your visitors, ultimately improving engagement and helping users find what they’re looking for on your site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I add a search bar to the WordPress menu without using a plugin?
Yes, you can add a search bar to the WordPress menu by customizing your theme code. You can use the get_search_form() function in your theme’s header or menu files to display the search form without relying on a plugin.

2. Why is the search bar not showing up in my WordPress menu?
The search bar may not appear if your theme doesn’t support widget areas or if there’s an issue with the menu structure. Make sure the widget or search form is added to the correct location, and ensure no conflicting plugins or theme settings are preventing it from displaying.

3. How can I style my search bar?
You can style your search bar using CSS. Customize the input field, button, and overall layout to match your site’s design. For example, adjust the padding, font size, button color, and responsiveness for mobile devices.

4. How can I make the search bar mobile-friendly?
To make the search bar mobile-friendly, use CSS media queries to adjust the layout for smaller screens. You can stack the input field and button vertically, make them full-width, and increase padding for easier interaction on mobile devices.

5. What if the search bar is not returning any results?
If the search bar isn’t returning any results, check your content indexing settings (especially if you are using a plugin like SearchWP or Relevanssi). Ensure the correct content types are indexed, and try reindexing your site. If the problem persists, test the default WordPress search to see if the issue is with your search functionality.