(Future update) Product Filters

This guide helps Shopify store admins set up product filters using the Search & Discovery app so the filters appear in the mobile app built using your mobile app builder.

🎯 Why Use Product Filters?

Adding filters to your app’s collection pages improves the shopping experience:

• Helps users quickly narrow down product results.

• Reduces browsing time and increases conversion rates.

• Essential for stores with many SKUs or categories.

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⚙️ Prerequisite

✅ Before proceeding, make sure:

• You have installed the Shopify Search & Discovery app.

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🧩 Types of Filters

Filter Type	Description	Available on Plan	Use Case Example
Basic Filters	Filters for Price and Availability.	Basic Plan: Only Price and Availability filters.	Basic Plan: Ideal for stores with simple needs like "In Stock" or price sorting.
Custom Filters	Filters based on metafields or variant options (e.g., Color, Skin Type).	Pro & Premium Plans: All other filters, including custom ones.	Pro Plan: Best for stores needing filters like Color, Material, Skin Type.

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🧩 Step 1: Configure Data for Filters

1.1 Basic Filters (Price and Availability)

No configuration needed. These filters are built into the Basic Plan and automatically available.

1.2 Custom Filters (e.g., Color, Skin Type, Material)

You need to create custom metafields for these filters.

2.1 Create Metafield Definitions

1. Go to Settings > Custom Data > Products.

2. Click Add definition.

3. Enter a name like Color, Skin Type, etc.

4. Set Namespace and key (e.g., custom.color).

5. Select a content type (e.g., Single line text or List of values).

6. (Optional) Define predefined values to keep filtering consistent.

7. Click Save.

💡 Advanced: Shopify also supports more complex metafield structures using the Metaobject Reference feature. This allows you to store structured data (like multiple fields per filter option), useful for rich filtering and content reuse. 🔗 Learn more about Metaobject references

2.2 Add Metafield Values to Products

1. Go to Products > select a product.

2. Scroll to the Metafields section.

3. Fill in the value for your metafield (e.g., Dry under "Skin Type").

4. Click Save.

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🧩 Step 2: Enable Filters in Shopify Search & Discovery

Use case: You want to activate standard filters like Price, Availability, or Vendor.

✅ Recommended for:

• Quick setup with no extra configuration.

• Stores using built-in Shopify product data.

📌 Steps:

1. Open the Search & Discovery app in your Shopify Admin.

2. Go to the Filters tab.

3. Enable available filters such as:

   • Availability

   • Price

   • Product Type

   • Vendor

4. Click Save.

🧩 Step 3: Enable Filters in Simicart

Use case: You want to activate the filters you've already enabled in Search & Discovery for use in your Simicart mobile app.

✅ Recommended for:

• Quick activation of filters already configured in Search & Discovery.

• Ensuring filters are displayed properly in your mobile app.

📌 Steps:

1. Open the Simicart mobile app builder configuration.

2. Go to the Filters section.

3. The filters you configured in Search & Discovery will automatically appear in the list.

4. Simply toggle the filters you want to enable in the mobile app.

5. Click Save to apply the settings

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✅ Summary: Filter Types & Use Cases

Filter Name	Source Type	Example Use Case
Price	Shopify default	All stores
Availability	Shopify default	Show in-stock items only
Vendor	Shopify default	Multi-brand stores
Color	Product metafield	Apparel, accessories, skincare
Skin Type	Product metafield	Beauty/skincare
Material	Product metafield	Furniture, home decor

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💡 Best Practices

• Consistency: Use consistent values for metafields (avoid Red vs red).

• Predefined Lists: Prefer predefined lists over free text where possible.

• Clutter: Limit the number of filters shown to avoid clutter.

• Enabled Filters: Only enabled filters in Search & Discovery will appear in the mobile app.