Welcome to the Searchly Help Center.
Find guides, setup steps, and quick solutions for installing and using AI search on your WordPress site.

1. Installation & Activation

What this guide covers

• How to install the plugin.
  
• How to activate your license.
  
• Where to find the plugin settings.
  

Steps

1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
   
2. Go to Plugins → Add New.
   
3. Click Upload Plugin.
   
4. Select the Searchly .zip file.
   
5. Click Install Now, then Activate.
   
6. A new menu named Searchly will appear in your dashboard.

Tips / Notes

• If installation fails, ensure the file is not unzipped.
  
• Keep your WordPress version updated for best performance.
  

Common Issues

• Plugin not installing: File is corrupted or already installed.
  
• Menu not showing: Refresh browser or clear cache.
  

Related Guides

• Setup Wizard.
  
• Basic Settings.
  
• WooCommerce Setup.

2. Setup Wizard

What this guide covers

• Quick onboarding.
  
• Connecting your API or using ours.
  
• Automatic indexing.
  

Steps

1. After activation, the wizard opens automatically.
   
2. Choose Use my API key or Use Searchly hosted API.
   
3. Add your website name.
   
4. Start the automatic content scan.
   
5. Confirm search bar placement.

Tips / Notes

• You can skip any step and complete it later in settings.
  
• Indexing may take a few seconds for large sites.
  

Common Issues

• API error: Key is incorrect check for extra spaces.
  
• Index stuck: Click Re-index Now under Settings.
  

Related Guides

• Real-Time Search.
  
• Basic Settings.
  

3. Basic Settings

What this guide covers

• Credit usage.
  
• Search behavior preferences.
  
• Display options.
  

Steps

1. Go to Searchly → Settings.
   
2. Adjust search speed, suggestions, and indexing preferences.
   
3. Choose how results appear (grid/list).
   
4. Save changes.
   

Tips / Notes

• Typo handling works automatically, no setup needed.
  
• You can enable or disable real-time results anytime.
  

Common Issues

• Results not updating: Clear index and re-scan.
  
• Display mismatch: Theme may overwrite styling and apply custom CSS if needed.
  

Related Guides

• Real-Time Search Setup.
  
• Using the Analytics Dashboard.
  

4. Real-Time Search Setup

What this guide covers

• Activating instant search.
  
• Adding the search bar.
  
• Customizing suggestions.
  

Steps

1. Open Searchly → Real-Time Search.
   
2. Toggle Enable Real-Time Results.
   
3. Choose search bar placement: header, sidebar, or short code.
   
4. Customize suggestions and result priority.

Tips / Notes

• Short code can be used inside Elementor or Gutenberg.
  
• Real-time results improve conversions on product and blog pages.
  

Common Issues

• Bar not visible: Theme header may block it and use short code instead.
  
• Slow results: Check internet speed or re-index content.
  

Related Guides

• WooCommerce Setup.
  
• Basic Settings.

5. WooCommerce Setup

What this guide covers

• Activating product search.
  
• Enabling upselling and related results.
  
• Showing variations and attributes.
  

Steps

1. Go to Searchly → WooCommerce.
   
2. Turn on Product Search Mode.
   
3. Enable Upselling & Related Results.
   
4. Sync product inventory.
   
5. Test a few product searches.

Tips / Notes

• Works with all major WooCommerce themes.
  
• Indexing includes SKU, tags, attributes, and categories.
  

Common Issues

• Products missing: Sync inventory again.
  
• Wrong suggestions: Reorder priority in settings.
  

Related Guides

• Real-Time Search Setup.
  
• Analytics Dashboard.

6. Using the Analytics Dashboard

What this guide covers

• Tracking performance.
  
• Understanding user intent.
  
• Improving conversions.
  

Steps

1. Go to Searchly → Analytics.
   
2. View top searches, zero-result queries, and click-through data.
   
3. Use insights to improve pages, titles, and product descriptions.
   
4. Track credit usage.
   

Tips / Notes

• Zero-result searches show what content users expect but cannot find.
  
• Use insights to plan new products or blog posts.
  

Common Issues

• No data showing: Allow 24 hours after setup for stats to appear.
  

Related Guides

• Troubleshooting.
  
• WooCommerce Setup.

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

What this guide covers

• Search not showing.
  
• No results.
  
• Slow indexing.
  

Problems & Fixes

• Search bar not visible.
• Check short code placement.
  
• Clear theme cache.
  

No results appearing

• Re-index content from Settings.
  
• Make sure pages/products are published.
  

Slow results

• Disable heavy theme scripts temporarily.
  
• Limit large media files inside searchable areas.
  

API problems

• Re-enter your API key.
  
• Reset connection from Advanced Settings.
  

Related Guides

• Setup Wizard.
  
• Real-Time Search.