Better Search Features for Your Squarespace Site
TL;DR:
- Add search blocks anywhere on your site to help visitors find content quickly
- Use your built-in search page at
/searchto scan all site content - Header search bars are only available in older 7.0 templates
- Not all content gets indexed – understand what appears in results
- Track search queries in analytics to see what visitors are looking for
Squarespace gives you several ways to add search functionality to your site. Each option works differently, so it helps to know which one fits your needs.
Search Options Available
Search Block
You can add a search block to any page, including your footer or sidebar. This creates a search field that visitors can use to find content across your site. The search block is flexible and works with all modern templates.
Built-in Search Page
Every Squarespace site has a default search page. Add /search to the end of your site URL to access it. This page searches through all your indexed content and displays results in a standard format.
Header Search Bars
Some version 7.0 templates include built-in header search functionality. This feature isn't available in 7.1 templates – you'll need to use a search block instead.
What Shows Up in Search Results
Squarespace indexes most of your content, but not everything makes it into search results. Here's what gets included:
- Published pages and blog posts
- Text from Markdown and Text blocks
- Gallery descriptions and captions
- Product information
Content that won't appear:
- Unpublished drafts
- Pages marked with noindex tags
- Password-protected content (unless the visitor is logged in)
- Content in certain block types like embedded code
Your search results depend on having good, descriptive content. Use clear titles and include relevant keywords in your text to help visitors find what they're looking for.
Fixing Search Problems
If search isn't working as expected, try these steps:
Clear your browser cache to make sure you're seeing the latest version of your site. Sometimes cached versions can show outdated search results.
Check for password protection. If pages are password-protected, they won't appear in search results for visitors who haven't entered the password.
Make sure your search terms actually exist in your content. The search function only finds text that's been indexed on your site.
If you're still having issues, the problem might be with how your content is indexed. Wait 24-48 hours after publishing new content before expecting it to appear in search results.
Customizing and Tracking Search
You can style your search results to match your site's design through the Style panel. The search results page uses your site's standard text and background colors.
Squarespace analytics includes a "Site search queries" section that shows what visitors are searching for. This data helps you understand what content people want and whether they're finding it.
FAQs
Can I limit search to specific parts of my site?
The search block searches your entire site by default. You can't restrict it to specific pages or collections, but you can place search blocks on specific pages to make them more contextual.
Why isn't my new content showing up in search?
New content takes time to get indexed. Published content should appear in search results within 24-48 hours. Make sure the content is actually published and not saved as a draft.
How do I see what people are searching for on my site?
Go to Analytics > Behavior > Site search queries. This shows you the most common search terms visitors use on your site.
Jargon Buster
Blocks: The building blocks you use to add content to your pages, like text blocks, image blocks, or search blocks.
Collections: Groups of related content like blog posts, products, or gallery items that share similar formatting.
Indexed content: Content that Squarespace has processed and made available for search results.
Wrap-up
Good search functionality helps visitors find what they need quickly. Start with a search block in your header or footer, then use your analytics to see how people are using it. Remember that search works best when you have clear, descriptive content that includes the terms people are likely to search for.
Want to learn more about optimizing your Squarespace site? Check out our comprehensive courses for step-by-step guidance.