> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uselayers.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Layers for Shopify Plus: search and merchandising

> Layers gives Shopify Plus merchants everything they need to power lightning-fast search, visual discovery, and intelligent merchandising at scale.

## Features

* **Lightning fast**: Delivering results in milliseconds, the global infrastructure ensures your customers don't wait.
* **Real-time data ingestion**: Layers ingests and indexes any updates to your [catalog](/shopify-integration/catalog-sync) within seconds, ensuring your search results are always up-to-date.

### Search

* **Semantic Search**: Understand the meaning behind search queries, not just keywords. Learn how we interpret intent in [Query Understanding](/engine/user-intent-processing) and tune behavior in [Search Behavior Settings](/help/configuration/configure-search-behavior).
* **Visual Search**: Let customers search with photos. Configure image inputs in [Search Behavior Settings](/help/configuration/configure-search-behavior) and test results in [Test image search](/help/evaluate/test-image-search).
* **Query Understanding**: Layers [intelligently interprets](/engine/user-intent-processing) queries using expansion, intent detection, and contextual awareness to deliver relevant results.
* **Predictive Search**: Provide real‑time suggestions and autocomplete.

### Merchandising

* **Merchandising Rules**: Create [custom merchandising rules](/platform/merchandising) to strategically organize and present products on category pages, boosting conversion rates.
* **Product Sequences**: Build [product sequences](/platform/sequences) to showcase specific products in a predetermined order, perfect for new arrivals, bestsellers, or curated collections.
* **Blocks**: Create [configurable product recommendation widgets](/platform/blocks) that display personalized suggestions based on behavioral data, similarity, or curated collections across your storefront.
* **Dynamic Linking**: Pin specific products to the top of collection pages for [ad campaigns](/help/merchandising/dynamic-linking), ensuring customers see the products featured in your ads. Works automatically via `utm_products` URL parameters when the Layers tracking pixel is installed. Contact support to enable.
* **Rich sorting features**: Create [sophisticated sort orders](/platform/sorting) using metrics, priority rules, product attributes, and weighted attribute groups to precisely control how products are displayed and prioritized.
* **Rich facets**: Implement [Filters / Facets](/platform/facets) with custom grouping and ordering to help customers refine their product selection efficiently.
* **Variant breakouts**: Display [individual product variants](/platform/variant-breakouts) as separate tiles on collection pages, allowing customers to see all available options at a glance.
* **Semantic redirects**: Create [intelligent redirects](/platform/semantic-redirects) that understand search intent and automatically direct customers to the most relevant pages.

### Collaboration

* **Real-time collaboration**: Work on [merchandising rules](/platform/merchandising) and [sort orders](/platform/sorting) simultaneously with your team. See live cursors, automatic field locking, and leave [threaded comments](/platform/real-time-collaboration) — all in real time.

### Discovery

* **Similar products**: Help customers discover related items by showing visually and semantically similar products to what they're viewing. Learn how to test this in [Lab](/help/evaluate/test-collections-and-similar-products).

## Overview videos

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Visual Search Demo Overview">
    <iframe src="https://customer-29drik29ngm4b2ri.cloudflarestream.com/53096b90dfd41c715c21694b4095c2fb/iframe?poster=https%3A%2F%2Fcustomer-29drik29ngm4b2ri.cloudflarestream.com%2F53096b90dfd41c715c21694b4095c2fb%2Fthumbnails%2Fthumbnail.jpg%3Ftime%3D%26height%3D600" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true" className="w-full aspect-video" />
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Get started

Begin your journey with Layers by exploring the platform. These features are designed to help you effectively merchandise your categories, enhance search capabilities, and keep customers engaged.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Merchandising Category Pages" href="/platform/merchandising">
    Learn how to strategically organize and present products on category pages to enhance the shopping experience and boost conversion rates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Creating Complex Sort Orders" href="/platform/sorting">
    Discover how to prioritize product display based on multiple criteria, making it easier for customers to find their preferred items.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add Facets" href="/platform/attributes">
    Implement faceted search to offer customers a more granular way to filter results and find exactly what they need.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Search Behavior" href="/help/configuration/configure-search-behavior">
    Customize your search settings to optimize relevance and ensure customers find what they're looking for quickly.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Developers

The extensive documentation and APIs help you fully leverage Layers' capabilities within your e-commerce ecosystem.

### Available APIs

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Semantic Search REST API" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/api-reference/search">
    Use the Search REST API for real-time, typo-tolerant search functionality that's both fast and relevant.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Image Search REST API" icon="image" href="/api-reference/search-image">
    Use the Image Search API to let customers find products by uploading images or searching for visually similar items.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Similar Products REST API" icon="clone" href="/api-reference/similar-products">
    Use the Similar Products API to find visually and semantically similar products to a specific product in your catalog.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browse REST API" icon="book-open" href="/api-reference/browse">
    Use the Browse API to query merchandised category pages, retrieve product information, apply filters, and customize sort orders.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Predictive Search REST API" icon="sparkles" href="/api-reference/predict">
    Implement real-time predictive search and autocomplete functionality to enhance the search experience.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Blocks REST API" icon="cubes" href="/api-reference/blocks">
    Retrieve personalized product recommendations using configurable blocks based on behavioral data, similarity, or curated collections.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>