Magento 2 Fast Search: A Developer’s Guide to Implementing Instant, Hyvä-Safe Search

Learn how to implement instant, Hyvä-compatible search in Magento 2 with qoliber’s Fast Search extension. A developer’s guide to setup, benchmarks, and UX.

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Magento 2 Fast Search: A Developer’s Guide to Implementing Instant, Hyvä-Safe Search

In Magento 2, search is one of the most impactful UX features. Customers who use on-site search typically convert faster, spend more, and engage longer. But the default Magento 2 search often fails to deliver - it’s slow, lacks typo tolerance, and struggles with large catalogs.

For developers working with Hyvä themes, search must be not only instant but also lightweight and performance-first. This guide shows how to implement instant, Hyvä-safe search using the qoliber Fast Search extension, complete with developer workflows and performance benchmarks.

1. The Limitations of Default Magento Search

Out of the box, Magento’s built-in search has technical shortcomings:

  • Slow query execution on large catalogs
  • No typo tolerance (a small spelling error means no results)
  • Limited autocomplete functionality
  • High load on frontend JS with Luma-based implementations

These issues reduce product discovery efficiency, increase bounce rates, and lower conversion potential.

2. Why Hyvä Demands a Different Approach

Hyvä is designed to eliminate legacy frontend bloat by removing RequireJS, Knockout, and heavy JS layers. Extensions that add unnecessary scripts or override templates can break its lean performance model. A Hyvä-compatible search extension must:

  • Deliver instant results without blocking rendering
  • Integrate with Hyvä checkout and frontend cleanly
  • Be Core Web Vitals (CWV) safe
  • Work seamlessly with ElasticSuite for large catalogs

3. Implementing Fast Search in Magento 2

The qoliber Fast Search extension provides developers with a plug-and-play solution that avoids heavy customization. Implementation steps are simple:

  1. Install via Composer and enable the module in Magento admin
  2. Configure search sources (products, categories, CMS pages)
  3. Enable instant autocomplete with typo tolerance
  4. Adjust frontend layout to match Hyvä UI design
  5. Test performance with Lighthouse and Hyvä debugging tools

4. Key Features for Developers

Fast Search was built with developer experience (DX) in mind. Features include:

  • Instant results: Autocomplete suggestions as the user types
  • Typo tolerance: Fuzzy matching to prevent empty result pages
  • ElasticSuite-aware: Handles large catalogs with advanced filtering
  • Hyvä compatibility: No extra JS bloat, frontend remains clean
  • Customizable UI: Developers can adjust templates to match project requirements
  • Performance safe: Optimized SQL queries for minimal backend load

5. Benchmarking Results

In developer testing environments, replacing default search with Fast Search showed:

  • Up to 3x faster search response times
  • Zero layout conflicts with Hyvä themes
  • Improved Core Web Vitals (LCP, TBT) due to lightweight rendering
  • Increased product discovery and reduced bounce rates

Conclusion

For Magento 2 developers, search is too important to leave to default implementations. Customers demand instant, typo-tolerant, and intuitive product discovery and Hyvä requires a lean, performance-safe solution.

With the qoliber Fast Search extension, developers can implement live, Hyvä-compatible search in minutes, benchmark results with confidence, and deliver the UX that drives conversions.

Explore more in our Magento 2 extensions library to build performance-first, customer-friendly storefronts.

Aleksandra
Written by

Aleksandra "Ola" Czapiewska, née Kijewska

Sorceress of Projects & Wonders

Introducing Ola, a marketing mastermind with nearly two decades of expertise in transforming data into dynamic marketing strategies. Her remarkable track record includes transformative roles at Burda Media Polska, Polska Press Grupa, TIM S.A., and Media Saturn Holding. These positions have seen her launch and lead marketing initiatives that dramatically increased engagement and sales.

A certified Google Partner proficient in top marketing automation platforms like SalesManago and iPresso, Ola has consistently delivered solutions that enhance online visibility and propel business growth.

Currently at qoliber as the 'Sorceress of Projects & Wonders,' she expertly drives projects that surpass expectations, delivering top-notch product quality and securing a formidable market stance.

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