Why are the free gifts visible in search? (Dr Free Gift, BOGO Buy X Get Y Shopify App)
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TROUBLESHOOTING
Why are free gifts visible in search results?
When free gifts appear in search results it is usually caused by third-party search and filter apps not respecting Shopify’s default visibility rules. Here’s what you need to know:
Default Behavior
By default, free gifts are excluded from Shopify’s native search using a metafield. However, some third-party search and filter apps may not recognize this metafield, causing gifts to appear in search results.
Automatic Tagging
Our app automatically tags gift products with __hidden (double underscore prefix) to help compatible search apps filter them out. While many search apps respect this tag, some require manual configuration.
Third-Party Search Apps
Most search and filter apps provide settings to exclude products with specific tags. If you’re using a third-party search app, you’ll need to configure it to exclude products tagged with __hidden. Known examples of apps requiring this configuration include Omega Instant Search and Product Filter & Search by Boost.
For specific setup instructions, please refer to your search app’s documentation or contact their support team.
Troubleshooting Steps
If gifts are appearing in search:
- Verify your search functionality source:
- Native Shopify search
- Third-party search app
- Check gift product tags:
- Confirm presence of __hidden tag
- Verify tag format (includes double underscore)
- Review search app settings:
- Look for tag-based filtering options
- Configure exclusion rules for __hidden tag
- Contact your search app’s support team if settings aren’t available or you need help with configuration
Remember that while our app automatically handles gift visibility for Shopify’s native search, third-party search apps may require additional configuration to properly hide gift products from search results.