{"section":"tutorials","requestedLocale":"en","requestedSlug":"how-to-optimize-searches-with-substitute-words","locale":"en","slug":"how-to-optimize-searches-with-substitute-words","path":"docs/en/tutorials/catalog/search/how-to-optimize-searches-with-substitute-words.md","branch":"main","content":"> ⚠️ We don't recommend using [Substitute Words](/en/docs/tutorials/how-to-optimize-searches-with-substitute-words) when using Intelligent Search. To associate words with products, we recommend using [Synonyms](/en/docs/tutorials/synonyms), which allows you to manage terms per product in a more scalable way. For more information, contact our [Support team](https://support.vtex.com/hc/pt-br/requests).\n\n## How the search engine works\n\nVTEX has an intelligent algorithm that, based on the term searched for, identifies the best result for the user, i.e., it always shows the result that will generate more conversions into sales.\n\n> ℹ️ See more details on [how the search engine works](/en/docs/tutorials/how-does-vtex-search-legacy-work) at VTEX.\n\n## How useful is a substitute word\n\nIf the search engine does not identify the Landing Page, Brand or Department according to the term searched for, it applies a search for a Substitute Word (keyword).\n\nDespite having a low weight in the indexer, the use of substitute words is an extremely important resource, since it helps you reach users that search for grammatically incorrect terms (spagetti), phonetic writing (espagueti) or misspelled words due to typing mistakes (spaguetto), but with the same semantics of the original word (spaguetti).\n\n> ℹ️ A resource frequently used by the internal teams to expedite searches is to input RefId/EAN as the Substitute Word in the product. Therefore, it is possible to make faster searches, with only relevant results, and to quickly find the product searched for.\n\n## How do I input a substitute word\n\n### 1. Product integration\n\nIntegrating the products with the **Catalog API** allows you to add their Substitute Words and to associate them with the relevant products:\nhttps://developers.vtex.com/docs/api-reference/catalog-api#post-/api/catalog/pvt/product\n\n### 2. Import by spreadsheet\n\nInput the Substitute Words directly through product spreadsheet, on a massive basis:\nhttps://help.vtex.com/en/tutorial/registering-a-product#importing-products-through-worksheet\n\n### 3. To edit a product\n\nInput the Substitute Words directly to each product individually in the field **Substitute Word**:\nhttps://help.vtex.com/en/tutorial/registering-a-product#registering-a-product-through-the-admin\n\n## Where do I get substitute words\n\n### Google Trends\n\nA good way to get alternative keywords typed by users is to use a tool to investigate trends, such as Google Trends. For example: When searching for the word \"Spaguetti\" with Argentina filter, one can find out that users relate this search with similar terms, such as \"fideos\" or \"espagueti\".\n\n### Google Analytics\n\nBy analyzing the history of search words in Google Analytics, it is possible to access an interesting group of search keywords, in the section **Acquisition > Campaign Audiences > Keywords (organic)**. This is a good repository of terms the users usually write when searching for a specific product, and that we may have indexed with another name.\n\n### Google Search Console\n\nIn the menu **Search Traffic > Search Analytics**, it is possible to export a report with a high number of keywords, which will show what users search for when they find you in the Google search engine.\n\n### Indexation Partners\n\nThere are companies engaged in preparing databases, images and features of products."}