---
title: "Search Criteria"
description: "Use Search Criteria in Bricks to control which WordPress fields and meta values are searched for native search and query-filter search inputs."
canonical: "https://academy.bricksbuilder.io/builder/features/search-criteria/"
markdownUrl: "https://academy.bricksbuilder.io/builder/features/search-criteria.md"
pageType: "article"
section: "builder"
category: "features"
lastmod: "2026-05-21T13:58:32.000Z"
---
Bricks 2.2 introduces a powerful new way to control **how search results are generated**, whether the search is triggered by:

- the **native WordPress search** (via the Search element), or
- the **Filter – Search** element - Query Filters feature.

With **Search Criteria**, you can define exactly where Bricks should search: post fields, term fields, user fields, and any custom meta fields. This gives you far more control than the default WordPress `"s"` search and allows fully customized search behaviour across your entire site.

:::note
Search Criteria does not build or maintain a separate search index. It searches the selected WordPress database fields at query time.
:::

## Override Native WordPress Search ("s" parameter)

The native WordPress search is usually triggered through the **Search element**, and the results land on the **Search Result template**.

By default, WordPress only searches the following post fields:

- post_title
- post_content
- post_excerpt

If you want to override or extend this behaviour, the settings must be configured **inside your Search Result template**.

## Search Criteria in the Search Result Template

![](/assets/bricks-search-criteria-search-results-template.png)

Inside the builder, open your **Search Result** template → Template Settings → **Search Criteria** section.

**Custom search criteria**: This reveals all available search settings for controlling how the native `s` search behaves.

**Use weight score (optional):** When enabled, Bricks will calculate a ranking score based on your defined weight values and order the results accordingly. More about [weight scoring](#weight-score).

#### Search Controls (Posts)

Search post fields - Enable to define which standard WordPress post fields should be searched

Search post meta fields - You can add any meta key here (custom fields) to include them in your search criteria.

:::note
Make sure the **main Query Loop inside the Search Result template** has **"Is main query"** enabled. Otherwise the native search override will not apply.
:::

Once configured, perform a search on the frontend and your results will follow the criteria defined in the Search Result template.

## Search Criteria in the "Filter – Search" Element

When [Query Filters](/builder/dynamic-content/query-filters/) are enabled in Bricks, you can create advanced filtering systems for any Query Loop on any page.

Before Bricks 2.2, the **Filter – Search** element always used the default WordPress `"s"` logic. Now, you can define custom search criteria per filter element. Inside the Filter – Search element settings, you will now see a **Search Criteria** section.

:::note
Meta field search: ACF, Meta Box, and JetEngine Post Object, Relationship, and User fields usually store IDs in post meta. **Search Criteria searches the raw meta value** and does not automatically resolve those IDs to related post titles, post content, or user display names. To search those labels, store them in a separate searchable text meta field and include that meta key in Search Criteria.
:::

#### Post Query

Search post fields - Enable to define whether to search in Title, Content, and Excerpt

Search post meta fields - You can add any meta key here (custom fields) to include them in your search criteria.

Search post terms - Search assigned terms of selected taxonomies by term name, slug, and description. Useful for product categories, tags, brands, or other taxonomy-based relationships.

#### Term Query

Search term fields - Enable to define whether to search in Name, Slug, and Description

Search term meta fields - You can add any meta key here (custom fields) to include them in your search criteria.

#### User Query

Search user fields - Enable to define whether to search in Username, Nicename, Email, URL, and Display name

Search user meta fields - You can add any meta key here (custom fields) to include them in your search criteria.

## What is "Use weight score"? {#weight-score}

Weight score lets you control the order of your search results. The higher the weight score for a specific search field, the higher the result will appear if that field matches the search term.

:::note
Important Notes:
- You must enable **Use weight score** for ranking to take effect.
- If a **Sort** filter is active, it will override the weight-score ordering.
:::

#### Example: How weight scoring works

Search Criteria setup:

Search post fields:
- Title → **weight 1**
- Content → **weight 1**

Search post meta fields:
- my_field → **weight 3**

Search term: **"car**"

Matched posts:

| Post ID | Found in | Weight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1001 | Title | 1 |
| 1002 | Title + Content | 1 + 1 = 2 |
| 1003 | my_field | 3 |

**Final result order:**
**1003**, **1002**, **1001**