How link search works
The link is matched to a product in the catalog. That product becomes your reference, pinned at the top of the results so you can compare everything against it.
Results are ranked by how similar they are to the reference. Each card shows how its price compares, so a cheaper alternative is obvious at a glance.
Four ways to look at alternatives
- Closest matches: the most similar products overall.
- Cheaper: similar products priced below your reference.
- Top rated: similar products with strong review scores.
- Secondhand: pre-owned listings of similar items.
When to use a link instead of words
A link is the most precise starting point because it identifies one exact product, with its category, style, and price already known. Use it when you like an item but want a different price, a different seller, or simply a second opinion.
If you want something similar with a specific change, such as another color or a lower budget, apply the filters on the results page after the search.
Questions and answers
- Which product links work?
- Links to product pages on stores that run on Shopify, which covers a large share of independent brands. If a link cannot be resolved, describe the product or search with a screenshot of it instead.
- Do I need the exact product page?
- Yes. Use the address of the product page itself, not a category page, a search page, or the store's home page.
- Will the results include the same product from other stores?
- Sometimes. Results are ranked by similarity, so identical items sold elsewhere tend to rank first, followed by close alternatives.
- Does the store know I searched for alternatives?
- No. The link is only used to identify the product in the catalog.