Visitors rarely type perfect search terms into a search bar. Instead of just searching for 'running shoes' or 'blue dress', people sometimes type complete phrases or word combinations, such as 'shoes for running' or 'a dress in blue'. Words like 'for', 'the', or 'in' are what we call filler words. These terms differ per language and do not add any essential meaning to the search query. To ensure that your search engine does not get distracted by these non-essential terms, Tweakwise filters them out automatically. This allows the system to focus entirely on the true intent of the customer, leading to faster and much more accurate search results.
In this article, we explain how to manage the filler word module.
The default filler words
In the Tweakwise App, navigate to Smart Search > Filler words. For each language configured in your Tweakwise environment, a base set of default stop words is already automatically available (the system default).
Click on the dropdown menu of a specific language (for example, English) to view the full list. Words included in this list will be ignored by the system during the search query.
Adding a new filler word
Are you missing a specific filler word that your customers frequently use?
Click the New button at the top.
Type in the desired word.
Click Create to add it to the list of the selected language.
Disabling or restoring existing filler words
You cannot permanently delete the default system words, but you can deactivate them if you want Tweakwise to include them in the search query anyway:
Disabling: Click on the three dots (...) next to a filler word and choose Disable. You will now see in the Type/Status column that the word is disabled.
Restoring: Do you want a disabled default filler word to become active again? Click on the three dots and choose Restore.
Deleting manual filler words: You can look up manually added words, select them via the three dots, and permanently remove them using the Delete option.
Tip: Use the filters at the top of the module to quickly switch between Type (default/manual) and Status (active/disabled).
Preview Attribute Overlap
Do you want to know to what extent your filler words appear in your product data? Click the View attribute overlap button. A window will open, immediately showing which filler words match specific properties (such as product titles or descriptions) included in your search algorithm. This helps prevent you from accidentally filtering out an important product feature.
Restoring the List
Have you made many manual adjustments, added words, or disabled them, and do you want to start fresh? Use the Restore list option. With a single click, this removes all manual configurations for that specific language and instantly resets the entire list back to the factory settings (system default).
FAQ
Do I have to come up with and enter an entire list of filler word myself?
No, fortunately you don't. Tweakwise immediately provides a comprehensive, ready-to-use base list for every configured language. You only need to supplement it if you notice that specific, industry-related filler words are being used in your shop. Check out the articles below to see which filler words are set as default per language.
Can I temporarily deactivate a filler word without deleting it?
Yes. By clicking on the three dots next to the word and choosing Disable, Tweakwise will ignore that specific word. The word remains in the list with the status Disabled, so you can always easily reactivate it later via Restore.
What happens if a filler word is also an important part of a product name?
This is exactly why the View attribute overlap feature exists. If you are unsure whether a filler word (such as 'in' or 'of') is harmful because it occurs frequently in your properties, you can use this list to check where the overlap lies and decide whether to disable the filler word.
Can I create a synonym for a word that is currently enabled as a filler word?
No, that will not work. When a word is active as a filler word, Tweakwise filters it out completely right at the beginning of the search query. Because the system ignores the word, the synonym cannot be triggered. If you still want to use a synonym, you must first deactivate the filler word using the Disable option.