# Spelling, Synonyms and Languages in Store Search

> Help shoppers find the same item when they misspell a word or use a different name. Correct cautiously, so an exact brand, model, or product identifier is never silently replaced with a different item.

- Type: Merchant guide
- Level: Intermediate
- Reading time: About 4 minutes
- Audience: Written for store owners, builders, and designers refining high-performance ecommerce stores.
- Last updated: 2026-11-04
- Canonical page: https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/spelling/
- Part of: [Merchant Questions](https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/) on ZenBasket Academy

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## What you need to know

### What is typo tolerance?

It allows small spelling mistakes to find likely matches. If a shopper types a slightly misspelled product name, the matching product can still appear, but the page should still show what matched and let the shopper change the query.

### How should synonyms work?

A synonym links terms that mean the same thing in the store’s catalog. “Couch” and “sofa” may be useful equivalents for a furniture seller. Link two terms only when your products truly fit both descriptions.

### What about plurals, abbreviations, and languages?

Test singular and plural forms, local terms, and common abbreviations from customer searches. For a multilingual store, check translated names and attributes with a fluent reviewer; a translated word can mean something else in a particular product context.

### A simple check to try

Test a real misspelling, plural, and approved synonym. Confirm that the exact product code still returns only the matching item.

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## Frequently asked questions

### Can a synonym create bad results?

Yes. A broad rule for “jar” might incorrectly include all containers. Review real searches and restrict rules where necessary.

### Where are typo and synonym controls?

Check the current search documentation. Add only verified terms and test exact product names and identifiers after every change.

## Related articles

- **Zero-Result Search Recovery**
- **Ecommerce Search Relevance and Ranking**
- [ZenBasket Build Guide](https://help.getzenbasket.com/zenbasket-builder/)