Better Search provides two shortcodes: [bsearch_heatmap] and [bsearch_form]. These are available in both the free and pro versions of the plugin and can display a heatmap of popular searches or embed a customizable search form. Better Search Pro adds [bsearch_ai] for AI answers.
1. [bsearch_form]
Better Search can work with any search form on your site. However, it also includes its own advanced search form that allows you to display and pass post types where you’d like to allow users to search only within one or more post types.
This shortcode embeds a customizable Better Search form anywhere on your site.
Attributes for bsearch_form
| Attribute | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
before | String | Text or HTML to display before the search form. |
after | String | Text or HTML to display after the search form. |
aria_label | String | ARIA label for the search form (accessibility). |
post_types | String (csv) | Post types to search (comma-separated list). |
selected_post_types | String (csv) | Preselect post types in the dropdown (comma-separated list). |
show_post_types | Boolean | Show a dropdown to select post types (1 or 0). |
ai_mode (pro only) | String | Ask AI button for this form: default (use the global setting), alongside, replace or off. |
ai_text (pro only) | String | Ask AI button text for this form. |
Example Usage
This example wraps the search form in a custom div and includes a dropdown for post-type selection.
2. [bsearch_heatmap]
This shortcode generates a heatmap of your site’s popular search terms. Various attributes allow you to customize its appearance and functionality.
Attributes for bsearch_heatmap
| Attribute | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
daily | Boolean | Display searches from the past X days (1 or 0). |
daily_range | Integer | Number of days for the daily heatmap. |
smallest | Integer | Smallest font size for the heatmap. |
largest | Integer | Largest font size for the heatmap. |
unit | String | Font size unit (px, pt, etc.). |
hot | String (hex) | Color for the most popular searches. |
cold | String (hex) | Color for the least popular searches. |
number | Integer | Maximum number of terms to display. |
before_term | String | Text or HTML before each search term. |
after_term | String | Text or HTML after each search term. |
link_nofollow | Boolean | Adds rel="nofollow" to links (1 or 0). |
link_new_window | Boolean | Opens links in a new tab (1 or 0). |
format | String | Heatmap format: flat (inline), array or list. |
separator | String | Separator for terms when format is flat. |
orderby | String | How to order terms: count or name. |
order | String | Order direction: ASC, DESC or RAND. |
topic_count_text | String | Custom text for displaying term counts. |
show_count | Boolean | Show the count of searches for each term (1 or 0). |
no_results_text | String | This text is displayed when there are no search terms available. |
Example Usage
This example shows a heatmap of the top 10 daily searches with custom font sizes and colors.
3. [bsearch_ai] (Pro only)
This shortcode shows a standalone question box for AI answers. It has no attributes and uses the Search form buttons and Ask AI button text settings on the AI settings tab. Nothing is shown when AI answers are off or WordPress has no AI Client.
Better Search REST API integration for search results