The 7 types of search in ecommerce (and why most sites still get it wrong)

Key takeaways from this article

• Most ecommerce sites fail to support the 7 core types of product search, which leads to lost revenue and frustrated shoppers
• 93% of online shopping journeys begin with search, but outdated tools often return irrelevant or zero results
• Zoovu helps brands support every search type, from exact product lookups to compatibility and use-case queries, using AI-powered conversational experiences
• Improving search is not just about keywords, it is about understanding user intent and guiding shoppers in real time
• Brands using Zoovu increase conversions, reduce bounce rates, and create confident, high-quality shopping experiences

If they can’t find it, they can’t buy it. That simple truth is costing ecommerce brands millions each year.

Today’s online shoppers don’t just browse—they search. They enter a search query, expecting to instantly find relevant products. But most ecommerce site search engines still rely on outdated search functionality that fails to deliver.

In fact, Zoovu’s latest State of Ecommerce Search 2025 report found that only 40% of subjective and use-case searches return relevant results, and 75% of shoppers bounce if they don’t find what they need fast.

This post breaks down the most important types of searches in ecommerce, why they matter for the customer experience, and how AI-powered tools like Zoovu’s conversational search platform transform the entire search experience from missed opportunity to revenue engine.

Why understanding search types matters

Your search box is more than a utility—it’s a revenue driver. But only if your search engine knows how to interpret user queries, understand product attributes, and surface accurate search results in real time.

Too many ecommerce websites fail to adapt their search capabilities to the actual ways shoppers search. That leads to negative user experiences, abandoned carts, and lost online revenue.

Zoovu solves this with conversational search and discovery experiences—turning every query into a context aware path to conversion.

The 7 types of search queries in ecommerce

Here are the core types of search your ecommerce site must support—and how to do it right.

1. Exact search

These are searches where the shopper knows the exact product or SKU they want.

Example: “Nike Air Max 270 men’s size 10”

Challenge: Many search tools miss these due to formatting issues, spelling mistakes, or lack of SKU matching.

Fix it with Zoovu: Our AI-powered search includes article number search, synonym detection, and fuzzy matching, ensuring fast, frictionless product retrieval—even with typos, slang, or slight errors.

2. Product type search

Broad searches based on category or product name.

Example: “office chairs” or “gaming monitors”

Challenge: Basic keyword search often returns thousands of SKUs with poor relevancy.

Fix it with Zoovu: Ontology-enhanced search organizes your product catalog by attributes from product descriptions, ensuring highly relevant search results and faster decision-making.

3. Feature search

Users search based on desired product features.

Example: “waterproof hiking boots” or “five player games”

Challenge: Many ecommerce sites don’t map feature language to the actual product data.

Fix it with Zoovu: Our platform uses natural language processing (NLP) and structured enrichment to interpret and map features, delivering products that truly match the shopper’s needs.

4. Use case or problem-based search

Shoppers describe what they’re trying to achieve or solve.

Example: “gift for teenage gamer” or “laptop for video editing”

Challenge: These complex queries are often met with zero results or irrelevant listings.

Fix it with Zoovu: Our conversational AI guides users through tailored journeys based on user intent, using dynamic filters and product discovery assistants that ask clarifying questions.

5. Compatibility search

Looking for accessories or items that match another product.

Example: “charger for MacBook Air 2020”

Challenge: Compatibility data is often missing or unstructured in most ecommerce search engines.

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Fix it with Zoovu: Our ontology links related products through AI-driven mappings, making compatibility an embedded part of the search function.

6. Symptom or problem-based search

This overlaps with use cases, but is more diagnostic.

Example: “Shoes for hiking” or “solution for dry scalp”

Fix it with Zoovu: Our platform turns these queries into needs-based journeys. It connects product attributes with buyer problems, and using guided product finders and recommendation quizzes to help customers to find the right fit.

7. Non-product searches

Shoppers also search for content—not just products.

Example: “return policy” or “free shipping thresholds”

Fix it with Zoovu: We surface rich search suggestions, FAQ pages, and helpful guides directly in the search bar—reducing bounce rates and improving customer satisfaction.

The cost of getting it wrong

According to our State of Ecommerce Search Report:

• 41% of ecommerce sites fail to support these core search types.
• 80% of users leave if search doesn’t meet their needs.
• 93% of all online shopping journeys start with a search.

That’s not a search feature problem. It’s a search experience problem.

Zoovu: Built for every type of search

Zoovu’s AI-powered ecommerce site search engine brings together:

• Ontology-based indexing for contextual accuracy.
• Conversational AI for real-time user guidance.
• Personalization signals for dynamic search experiences.
• Search across channels (desktop, mobile apps, retail syndication).
• Data-driven insights to boost conversion rates and reduce bounce rates.

Whether your shoppers are searching for a product they know about, or are on a journey to find the right product for their needs, Zoovu connects them with what they are looking for faster and makes sure the recommendation is the right one.

Final thought

Your search bar is where conversion begins. Don’t treat it like an afterthought.

By supporting all types of searches, optimizing for user behavior, and guiding every user query with conversational search technology, Zoovu turns your ecommerce search engine into a competitive advantage.

Ready to convert more with AI-powered search? Book a demo and experience Zoovu’s conversational search in action.