Platform 2 Guide — This article applies to the new platform. Looking for classic platform docs? Browse the Platform 1 collection.
Why: Enhance your members' experience by providing a powerful search, sorting, and filtering system. This feature allows them to quickly find the content they love, making it easier for them to engage with your app.
Navigate: App Station > Pages & Menu > Add Block > Search
Quick Start
Go to App Station > Pages & Menu.
Select the page where you want to add the Search Block.
Click Add Block and choose Search.
Configure the Search Block settings, including visual variant and placeholder text.
Save your changes.
The Search Block
The Search Block is a standalone search bar that you can add to your app pages using the Page Builder. It allows members to input search queries, which will update the page URL with the search parameters.
Visual Variants
The Search Block comes in three visual styles:
Default: Standard size for general use.
Hero: A large, prominent search bar ideal for landing pages.
Minimal: A compact version that takes up less vertical space.
Functionality
When a member types a query, the Search Block updates the URL with parameters, enabling easy sharing of search results.
How Search Connects to Content Grids
It's important to note that the Search Block does not display results itself. Instead, it interacts with Content Grid blocks on the same page. Each Content Grid can be configured with a searchBehavior setting:
Respond: Filters its content to match the search (default setting).
Hide: Disappears when a search is active, useful for promotional blocks.
Ignore: Always shows its content, regardless of search.
Search-only: Hidden by default and only appears when a search is active, perfect for dedicated search results.
For pages with multiple Content Grids (e.g., one for recipes and another for meal plans), the Search Block will display a content type dropdown. Members can choose which type to search, and only the matching Content Grid will respond.
What Members Can Search
Members can search for content across various types, including:
Recipes
Meal Plans
Resources
Journeys
Blog Posts
Search Mechanics
Text search requires at least 3 characters.
For recipes, the search checks:
Title
Summary
Ingredient names
Tag names
Results are ranked by relevance, with exact matches scoring highest. Members can also use advanced search syntax, including:
Commas or OR for alternatives
AND or + for required terms
- for exclusions
Quotes for exact phrases
Sorting
Members can sort search results using the following options:
Recently Added
Recently Updated
Most Popular
Most Loved
Highest Rated
Alphabetical
Start Date (for meal plans)
By default, search results are sorted by relevance, but members can override this with any sort option. The sort dropdown appears in both the Search Block and Content Grid blocks, and selections sync to the URL for easy sharing.
Recipe-Specific Filters
When searching for recipes, the Search Block provides advanced filter options, including:
Ingredient Include/Exclude: Members can type ingredient names, and the system will find matches even with slight spelling differences.
Tag Filters: Members can filter by tags with match modes (match ANY or ALL selected tags).
Difficulty Filter: Options include Easy, Medium, and Hard.
Cook Time and Prep Time Ranges: Members can specify desired time ranges.
Servings Range: Filter based on the number of servings.
Nutrition Filters: Filter by calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber, sugar, and sodium, each with min/max options.
Filter Presets (Quick Filters)
Admins can create filter preset chips that appear above the search results for quick filtering. Default presets include:
Low Calorie
High Protein
Low Carb
Low Fat
Time-based presets (15 min, 30 min, 1 hour)
Servings presets
You can manage these presets in App Station > Settings > Content Settings > Filters.
Base Tags and Filtered Sections
Content Grid blocks can have base tags configured, which are always applied. When a member searches within a base-tagged grid (e.g., a Vegetarian Recipes section), the search operates within that subset. This allows you to create focused content sections where search respects the section boundaries.
Collection Pages
On collection pages, the Search Block automatically scopes search to that collection. Members will see the collection name in the search placeholder, and results will be filtered to that collection.
URL Sharing
All search parameters sync to the URL, allowing members to share a search link. Others will see the same results when they click the link. The browser back button also works with search history, making navigation seamless.