Search and Filters
Availability: Free + Pro. Keyword search, faceted filters, Near-Me geolocation, and "Search this area" are Free. Pro adds Advanced Search (custom field filters, saved alerts) and Infinite Scroll on results.
What it does
Listora's search system lets visitors find listings by keyword, type, category, location, and distance. It updates results reactively without reloading the page and supports geo-radius queries so users can find listings near them.
Why you'd use it
- Visitors find what they need without scrolling through hundreds of listings.
- Location-based search with "Near Me" geolocation reduces friction on mobile.
- Faceted filters (category, feature, price, rating) let users narrow results in any combination.
- Results stay fast at scale - Listora uses a dedicated search index table, not generic WordPress queries.
How to use it
For site owners (admin steps)
- Go to Listora → Settings → Search to configure defaults:
- Results per page - how many listings appear per page (default: 12).
- Default sort - the initial sort order when no keyword is entered.
- Distance unit - Kilometers or Miles.
- Default radius - the radius used when a user searches by location without adjusting the slider.
- Add the Listing Search block to your directory page. See Creating Your Directory Page.
- Optionally set the Listing Search block to Stacked layout for a taller, full-width appearance suited to homepage hero sections.
For end users (visitor/user-facing)
Keyword search: Type any word into the search bar. Autocomplete shows matching listing names. Results search titles, descriptions, custom field values, and service names.
Location search: Type an address into the location field, or click Near Me to use your device's GPS. Results are filtered by distance from that point.
Type tabs: Click a type tab (All, Restaurant, Hotel, etc.) to show only that type.
Advanced filters: Click the filters button to expand the panel. Available filters depend on your listing types:
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| Category | Filter by listing category (e.g., Italian, French) |
| Features | Filter by amenity checkboxes (WiFi, Parking, etc.) |
| Price range | Minimum and maximum price slider |
| Rating | Minimum star rating |
| Geo-radius | Distance slider (requires a location to be entered) |
| Date range | Start and end date (for Event listing types only) |
Active filter pills: Applied filters appear as removable pills below the search bar. Click the × on any pill to remove that filter.
Sort options: Use the sort dropdown in the grid toolbar to change order:
- Relevance (default for keyword searches)
- Newest / Oldest
- Rating (highest first)
- Distance (requires a location)
- Featured (featured listings first)
- Alphabetical (A-Z)
Tips
- Add the Listing Map block alongside the grid to let users see results geographically while filtering - the map updates with the same filters.
- The geo-radius filter only activates once the user enters a location or clicks Near Me. Without a location, the radius slider is hidden.
- For event directories, the date filter is specific to the Event listing type. Configure date fields in Listora → Listing Types → Event.
- Saved Searches (Pro) let logged-in users save any filter combination and receive email alerts when new matching listings are published. See Saved Searches.
- Re-indexing: if you bulk-import listings and search results don't reflect them, go to Listora → Settings → Search and click Rebuild Search Index.
Common issues
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Keyword search returns no results | Check that the search index was built - activate, then deactivate and reactivate the plugin to trigger a rebuild |
| "Near Me" button does nothing | The user's browser must allow location access; HTTPS is required |
| Distance filter not appearing | A location must be entered in the location field first |
| Date filter missing | Confirm the listing type has date fields configured in Listora → Listing Types |