WP Extended Search
20,000+ active installs · Rated 4.9/5 · Updated December 7, 2025
A lightweight plugin that widens what the WordPress search looks at, adding post meta, author names, categories, tags and custom taxonomies through a settings screen. Multiple search settings can be assigned to separate forms, and it works with WooCommerce fields such as SKUs and attributes. It suits site owners who want better search without a separate index. The plugin is free.
Pros
- Search in post meta, authors, taxonomies and selected post types
- Several search settings for different search forms
- Widget, shortcode and PHP function for search forms
- Works with WooCommerce SKUs, attributes and product fields
Cons
- Meta and taxonomy joins can slow large sites (no index)
- Adds settings for every search form, so setup takes some planning
Topics: Search plugins
Mentioned in
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