Best Practices for Spotler Activate Search

✅ Export simple products (variants) for configurable products - customers search for specific variants

✅ Use "Auto-Link" for parent URLs - links directly to the right variant

✅ Map your brand attribute - enables brand filtering in search

✅ Enable Ajax add-to-cart - better UX from search results

✅ Set up cron for automatic daily feed updates

✅ Test search after initial setup to verify products appear correctly

❌ Don't export both configurable parents AND all simples - creates duplicates

❌ Don't include out-of-stock products without a clear strategy for showing them

❌ Don't select variant-specific attributes (color, size) in "Use Parent Data" - loses variant specificity

❌ Don't forget to regenerate feed after significant catalog changes

❌ Don't enable debug mode permanently in production

Use case: Clothing store with configurable products (size/color variations)

Configuration:

Data > Product Types > Configurable Products:

• Use Configurable/Simple Products: Only Linked Simple Products
• Use Parent URL for Simples: Yes, with Auto-Link
• Use Parent Image for Simples: Only if Empty
• Use Parent Data for Simples: Name, Description (NOT color, size)
• Use Fallback only on Non Visible Simples: Yes

Data > Product Data:

• Brand: manufacturer (or your brand attribute)
• Extra Fields: Add color and size for faceting

Result: Each color/size variant appears as separate search result. Clicking links to the correct variant on the product page. Customers can filter by color, size, and brand.

Use case: Computer store selling bundle packages (PC + monitor + keyboard)

Configuration:

Data > Product Types > Bundle Products:

• Use Bundle Products: Only Bundle Product

Data > Product Types > Configurable Products:

• Use Configurable/Simple Products: Only Linked Simple Products (for products with options)

Result: Bundles appear as single searchable items. Individual components (if also sold separately) appear on their own.

Use case: Wholesale store where some categories are B2B-only

Configuration:

Data > Product Filter Options > Filter by Category:

• Enable: Yes
• Type of filter: Exclude
• Category: Select your B2B-only categories

Result: B2B products don't appear in public search. Public customers only find B2C products.

Use case: Store with multiple languages/store views

Configuration:

• Configure Account ID per store view (different Spotler account per language)
• Or use same account with language parameter in Spotler

Data > General:

• Enable feed per store view
• Customize filename per store view if needed (e.g., feed_en.xml, feed_nl.xml)

Result: Separate feeds per language, each with correct translations and URLs.

Use case: Want customers to find FAQ, shipping info, and about pages via search

Configuration:

Data > CMS Pages:

• Enable: Selected CMS Pages
• Selection: FAQ, Shipping Information, About Us, Contact

Exclude: Checkout success, 404, privacy policy, terms

Result: Informational pages appear in search alongside products.

Large catalogs (50k+ products):

• Lower the batch size if hitting memory limits
• Run generation during off-peak hours
• Monitor execution time in Feed Log

Feed freshness:

• Daily cron is sufficient for most stores
• More frequent only if prices/stock change constantly
• Manual regeneration after bulk imports

Search overlay loading:

• Use "Automatic" loader unless you have specific needs
• The Spotler script is optimized and CDN-hosted

Add to cart:

• Enable Ajax add-to-cart for better UX
• Avoids full page reload when adding from search

Why it's wrong: Creates duplicate results in search. Customer sees "Blue T-Shirt" (configurable) AND "Blue T-Shirt - Size M" (simple).

Correct approach: Choose one strategy:

• Simple products only (recommended) - shows specific variants
• Parent only - shows one result per product

Why it's wrong: If you select Color and Size, all simples inherit the parent's (empty or generic) values. Loses the variant-specific data.

Correct approach: Only select attributes that should be inherited (Name, Description, Brand). Keep variant attributes (Color, Size, GTIN) on the simple.

Why it matters: Customers find products, click through, see "out of stock" - frustrating.

Options:

1. Exclude out-of-stock from feed entirely
2. Keep in feed, configure Spotler to show "Out of Stock" badge
3. Keep in feed, sort in-stock products higher

Common error: Include filter, but simple products aren't in the included categories (only parent is).

Correct approach: For configurable products, ensure simple children are also assigned to the categories you're including. Or use exclude logic instead.

Why it matters: Feed shows old/missing products. New products don't appear in search.

Correct approach:

• Cron handles daily updates automatically
• Run bin/magento sooqr:feed:create after bulk imports
• Check Feed Log to verify generation completed