# Move from another Shopify search app to IntentSea Search

> Which settings you can import into IntentSea Search from a previous search app, and a step-by-step way to export, preview and switch over safely.

Source: https://intentsea.com/guides/migrate-from-another-search-app

You do not have to rebuild your search vocabulary by hand. IntentSea Search includes an **Import** page that previews data before anything is saved.

## What you can import

- **Synonym groups:** two or more words or phrases treated as equivalent.
- **Search redirects:** an exact search query and its destination URL (Growth plan or higher).
- **Stop words:** individual words ignored during search.

Filters, merchandising pins and other vendor-specific settings cannot be imported; you recreate them in the admin. One-way synonyms cannot keep their one-way behaviour: an optional checkbox converts them into two-way groups.

## Steps

1. In your previous search app, open the search settings and export synonyms, redirects or stop words if an export option exists. If not, copy the entries into a text file.
2. Convert them to a CSV or JSON shape the importer accepts (the Import page shows examples). Export formats change between apps, so check your previous app's current documentation; the shapes in our docs are generic, not verified export schemas.
3. Open **Import**, choose the data type and upload the file. CSV or JSON is detected automatically.
4. Review the preview: additions, duplicates and invalid entries. Confirm only when it looks right.
5. Enable the IntentSea app embed in your theme, wait for the catalogue sync, and test your top searches.
6. Switch off the previous app's storefront widget once you are satisfied.

## Keep a safety net

Run both apps in a development or unpublished theme first. IntentSea Search keeps a change history in the admin so you can roll a configuration back.

Next: [filters](https://intentsea.com/guides/filters), [pricing](https://intentsea.com/guides/pricing), [FAQ](https://intentsea.com/guides/faq).