Shopify’s New AI Search Just Got Better — Here’s How Semantic Search Works

What Is Shopify Semantic Search? AI Search Explained for 2024 Merchants

Shopify’s new Semantic Search feature is one of the most powerful AI updates for merchants in 2024. It uses artificial intelligence to understand what customers actually mean when they search — not just the exact keywords they type. This post breaks down how it works, how to turn it on, and what it means for your Shopify store.

In Shopify Summer Editions 2024, a small but significant update introduced Semantic Search to more plans — expanding from Shopify Plus down to Advanced and beyond. The feature first appeared in Winter Editions 2024 as an exclusive Plus-only feature. Now, it’s rolling out to more merchants, signaling Shopify’s growing investment in AI-powered store improvements.

So what exactly is semantic search? The term “semantic” means “relating to meaning in language or logic.” In practical terms, it means Shopify’s AI can now interpret the intent behind what customers type into your store’s search bar. Instead of only looking for literal keyword matches, it recognizes synonyms, related terms, and even image data to show more accurate product results.

For example, if a customer types “Christmas party shoes,” Shopify’s AI can infer intent — connecting it with red or green pumps and festive heels. This is powered by natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning models that analyze your product titles, tags, and descriptions. This reduces the dreaded “0 results” page that can kill conversions.

At the time of writing, semantic search can be activated by going to your Search & Discovery app, selecting Settings, and scrolling to Search Relevance. If your store is in English, has fewer than 200,000 products, and is on an Advanced or Plus plan, you should see the option to Try out Semantic Search.

For merchants just starting out, features like this might sound complex — but you don’t need to be an AI engineer to take advantage of them. Shopify is making its tools increasingly beginner-friendly. If you’re setting up your first store and want a guided path, check out the 30-Day Beginner’s Shopify Program — it walks you through everything step-by-step, from setup to growth.

Shopify’s goal with semantic search is simple: to help customers find what they’re looking for faster, reducing bounce rates and increasing sales. When customers find relevant results, they stay longer, explore more, and buy more — which benefits both you and Shopify.

The underlying AI continues to improve over time. Just as large language models have evolved rapidly in tools like ChatGPT, semantic search engines are constantly retraining to better understand context, phrasing, and buyer intent. This ensures your store’s search experience keeps improving without extra work on your part.

To stay up to date with Shopify’s latest AI updates and features, bookmark ProfessorCommerce.com — we cover every major Editions release and show how each update can help your store perform better. And if you’d like to support the channel or feature your brand for SEO exposure, check out our Patreon page here.

Semantic Search is still in its early stages, but its expansion to more Shopify plans marks a huge leap toward smarter, AI-driven online stores. Keep an eye on this feature as it continues to roll out — it’s the future of how customers will find your products.