Related Searches helps users continue after an initial query by suggesting relevant follow-up terms. It's useful when users reach a results page but still need a clearer next step.
Prerequisite: Review How to Use SearchStax Analytics to Improve Search Relevance before this article, especially the analytics workflow and the guidance on cookies and session interpretation.
When to Use This Feature
Use Related Searches when users need help refining a query instead of replacing it completely.
- Users reach results pages but often stop without clicking.
- Topic discovery depends on common next-step query paths.
- You want to reinforce product taxonomy or terminology.
- You need curated follow-up queries for high-intent journeys.
How to Configure and Analyze
- Enable Related Searches and define mappings from trigger terms to follow-up queries.
- Add mappings manually for priority terms and key user journeys.
- Use a bulk TXT upload for larger lists after you validate the format.
- Publish your changes and allow time for them to propagate before you validate results.
- Remove outdated mappings as product language and priorities change.
Tip: Keep related terms focused on realistic next-step intent. Don't use them for broad keyword stuffing.
How to Validate Impact in Analytics
Validate the impact of related-query guidance by tracking engagement and refinement outcomes:
- Searches with No Click: Look for a decline for the trigger terms you're targeting.
- Follow-up term performance: Confirm that suggested terms generate clicks and reduce friction.
- Search Feedback: Look for fewer comments about not finding the right phrasing.
If suggested follow-ups underperform, improve the mappings and remove weak associations.
Review Schedule: Review this analysis on a regular cadence, such as weekly for active programs and monthly for stable ones. Keep a short change log with the date, owner, target query or feature, and expected outcome. Use the same scope and date ranges each cycle so you can connect metric changes to specific edits.
When to Ask Your Developer or Web Team
Loop in your developer or web team when you need help with upload syntax, app-level behavior, or troubleshooting beyond the marketer workflow. For the full feature reference, see Related Searches.