Tips and tricks for advanced search on AliExpress

Learn how to use advanced search on AliExpress with our expert tips and tricks.

Finding the perfect item on AliExpress can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With millions of products to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve put together this guide filled with advanced search tips and tricks to help you find exactly what you’re looking for quickly and easily. Whether you’re looking for specific items, tracking price drops, or narrowing down search results, these strategies will make your shopping experience smoother and more efficient. And remember, ZiranZi is always here to ensure you pay less on AliExpress with the best tips and exclusive savings.

Understanding AliExpress Search Basics

The first step in finding the right product on AliExpress is using the basic search bar, which is visible at the top of every page. It’s simple: just type in keywords that describe the item you want. For instance, if you’re looking for a pair of running shoes, you might type “men’s running shoes” or “women’s running shoes.” The platform will show thousands of results based on your search.

However, this broad approach may lead to too many irrelevant items, which can be overwhelming. That’s why refining your search is essential. Using more specific keywords, like “men’s lightweight running shoes” or “women’s waterproof running shoes,” can narrow down the results to exactly what you’re looking for.

At ZiranZi, we recommend starting with a simple search and then fine-tuning your results by utilizing AliExpress’s many filters. This will help you sift through the millions of products on the platform to find the best deals faster and more efficiently.

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How to Use Filters Effectively

AliExpress offers a wide variety of filters that can help you streamline your search process. Below, we’ll break down the most useful ones.

Refine by Categories

Once you’ve entered your initial keywords, AliExpress will show a list of relevant categories on the left side of the results page. For example, if you search for “laptop bags,” you’ll see options like “electronics,” “office supplies,” and “fashion accessories.” Choosing the most appropriate category helps refine your search to products within that niche, saving you time by eliminating unrelated items.

Price Filters for Your Budget

Another key filter is the price range option. Whether you’re hunting for a high-end product or shopping on a tight budget, you can set minimum and maximum prices to ensure the results fit your financial plan. For example, if you’re looking for a handbag under $30, you can easily filter results to show only bags within that price range.

Sorting Options

AliExpress allows users to sort results to further improve their shopping experience. You can organize products by relevance, price (low to high or high to low), the number of orders, or customer ratings. Sorting by “orders” will show you the most popular products in your search category, while sorting by “ratings” can help you focus on items with top customer reviews. These options can be especially useful when you’re looking for tried-and-tested products or bargains.

Selecting Shipping Options

Shipping is a major consideration for many AliExpress shoppers. By using the shipping filters, you can narrow your search results to include only products that offer free shipping, fast delivery, or shipping from local warehouses. Selecting products from nearby warehouses can significantly reduce delivery times and sometimes even lower the overall cost due to reduced import fees.

ZiranZi always recommends using these filters to maximize savings and convenience while shopping on AliExpress.

Searching by Image

AliExpress offers a powerful “Search by Image” feature that allows you to find products by simply uploading a photo. This tool is extremely useful when you don’t know the exact name of a product but have an image or a screenshot of it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature effectively:

1. Open AliExpress on your browser or app – Make sure you’re logged into your account for a seamless experience.
2. Click on the camera icon in the search bar – On the AliExpress homepage, you’ll notice a small camera icon inside the search bar. This icon activates the image search tool.
3. Upload an image – Click the camera icon and select a photo from your device. It can be a picture of an item you took yourself or an image from another website or social media platform.
4. Browse the results – AliExpress will automatically generate a list of products that match or closely resemble the item in your image. You can scroll through the results and use the filters (like price, category, or shipping) to narrow them down.

This feature is particularly helpful when you’re looking for a specific style or design but aren’t sure how to describe it with keywords. For instance, if you see a dress you like on social media but don’t know its brand or name, simply upload the image, and AliExpress will show you similar options.

ZiranZi recommends this trick to find unique products faster and to compare prices from different sellers on AliExpress.

Advanced Keyword Search Techniques

Refining your search with advanced keyword techniques can save you time and ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for. Here are some methods to sharpen your search results.

Use Specific Product Names or Brands

If you know the exact name, model, or brand of the item you want, be as specific as possible in your search. For example, instead of searching for “smartphone,” you could search for “Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro.” By using precise product names or brand titles, you’ll significantly narrow down the search results and increase the chances of finding exactly what you need. ZiranZi recommends this tip for high-demand items like electronics and gadgets, where specificity matters.

Incorporate Multiple Keywords

When you’re unsure about the exact product name but want to filter through a broad category, combining multiple descriptive keywords can help. For example, if you are searching for a specific type of handbag, you could use the phrase “leather handbag with chain strap.” This method improves search accuracy by eliminating products that don’t meet all the criteria you’re looking for.

The more detail you include, the more tailored the results will be. Combining color, material, and function (e.g., “red waterproof jacket with hood”) is a smart way to get closer to what you want.

Using Quotation Marks

If you want AliExpress to show you exact matches for a phrase, use quotation marks around the phrase. For example, searching for “wireless Bluetooth headphones” will return results that only include this specific phrase, filtering out products that just have “Bluetooth” or “headphones” in the title but may not meet your needs.

Quotation marks ensure that your search results are precise and save you from sifting through irrelevant products. This is particularly helpful when you’re looking for a specific combination of features or product names.

How To Use Advanced Search Option in AliExpress (2023)

Excluding Keywords

If there are specific products or features you don’t want, you can exclude them from your search by using the minus sign (-). For example, if you’re looking for a non-leather handbag, you could search for “handbag -leather.” This will eliminate any handbags made of leather from your search results, helping you focus on exactly what you’re looking for.

By using this exclusion technique, you can further refine searches to focus only on the products you’re interested in. At ZiranZi, we find this particularly helpful when shopping for items that have various versions or materials you want to avoid.

Leveraging Seller Ratings and Reviews

When shopping on AliExpress, it’s crucial to evaluate both the product and the seller to ensure you’re getting the best quality and value. Seller ratings and customer reviews are powerful tools to help you filter out unreliable sellers and low-quality products, allowing you to shop with confidence.

Each seller on AliExpress is rated by previous customers based on criteria like product quality, communication, and shipping speed. Sellers are given an overall rating (from 1 to 5 stars), and this score is a quick indicator of their reliability. As a general rule, it’s best to prioritize sellers with ratings above 4.5 stars. This indicates that the majority of customers were satisfied with their experience.

Another important aspect is reading customer reviews, which are often accompanied by pictures of the product. These reviews can reveal a lot about the quality, fit, and durability of the item you’re interested in. Pay attention to reviews with detailed comments about the product’s performance, as well as feedback on the seller’s communication and shipping times.

ZiranZi recommends prioritizing products with high ratings and a large number of positive reviews, as this suggests a consistent track record of customer satisfaction. Additionally, if the seller has been active for several years, this usually signals trustworthiness and reliability, further enhancing your shopping security on AliExpress.

Tracking Deals and Price Drops

One of the best ways to save money on AliExpress is to stay updated on price drops and promotional deals. Here are two effective strategies to help you do that:

Using Wishlist Features

The wishlist function on AliExpress is a valuable tool for tracking items you’re interested in. To add an item to your wishlist, simply click the heart-shaped icon on the product page. Once an item is added to your wishlist, you can easily monitor its price over time.

AliExpress often offers discounts or flash sales on popular products, and keeping an item in your wishlist allows you to check for sudden price drops or special promotions. The platform will even notify you if a product from your wishlist goes on sale, ensuring you never miss out on a great deal. ZiranZi recommends checking your wishlist regularly, especially during major sales events like the AliExpress 11.11 Sale or Black Friday.

Checking for Flash Sales and Discount Offers

AliExpress frequently runs flash sales and time-limited discount events that offer steep price cuts on select items. Flash sales typically last for a short period (usually a few hours) and are a great opportunity to buy popular products at heavily reduced prices. To spot these deals, look for the “Flash Deals” section on the homepage or browse the “Flash Sale” tab in the AliExpress app.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for sitewide sales events, such as the AliExpress Anniversary Sale or seasonal promotions. During these events, items across all categories are often discounted, and combining these sales with promo codes from ZiranZi can lead to significant savings. Always check the countdown timers on flash deals so you can act fast before the sale ends.

With a little patience and smart tracking, you can score amazing discounts on the products you love by leveraging AliExpress’s wishlist feature and flash sales.

Finding Specific Shops or Sellers

If you’ve found a store on AliExpress that you trust or simply want to browse a particular seller’s products, the “Search in Store” feature can be a handy tool. This option allows you to search for products within a specific seller’s store rather than browsing the entire platform, which can save time if you know a seller offers high-quality items.

Here’s how to use the “Search in Store” feature:

1. Visit the seller’s store page – After finding a product you’re interested in, click on the seller’s name. This will take you to their store, where you can see all of the products they offer.
2. Use the search bar within the store – At the top of the seller’s store page, you’ll see a search bar specifically for that store. Enter keywords related to what you’re looking for, and the results will be filtered to display only the products from that seller.
3. Sort and filter results – Just like the main AliExpress platform, you can sort results by price, orders, or ratings within the store. This is especially useful when the seller has a large inventory and you want to quickly find the best deals or highest-rated products.

When it comes to finding trustworthy sellers, pay attention to their ratings, reviews, and the length of time they’ve been active on AliExpress. Sellers with a long history of positive reviews and high ratings are typically more reliable. ZiranZi also recommends looking for sellers who offer clear return policies and responsive customer service, which ensures a smoother shopping experience.

Localizing Your Search

Localizing your search on AliExpress can help you avoid long shipping times, reduce import taxes, and sometimes even find better deals. AliExpress offers several options to refine your search based on location.

Search for Items Based on Location

If you’re looking to receive your items faster or avoid potential customs fees, searching for products that ship from your country or region is essential. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Use the location filter – After entering your search terms, look for the “Ship From” filter on the left side of the results page. This filter allows you to select the country or region from which you want your items shipped. AliExpress offers products shipped from multiple locations, including China, the United States, Spain, Russia, and more.
2. Prioritize local warehouses – Some sellers operate warehouses in different countries, offering faster shipping options at lower costs. Choosing items that ship from a nearby warehouse can significantly reduce delivery times and sometimes even lower the overall price, as it helps you avoid international shipping fees and customs charges.

This strategy is especially useful when shopping for large or bulky items, as domestic shipping tends to be more cost-effective.

Filtering by Currency

AliExpress allows you to shop in a variety of currencies, making it easier to get accurate pricing and manage your budget. If you prefer to see prices in your local currency, here’s how to set it up:

1. Change your currency settings – On the AliExpress homepage, scroll to the bottom of the page or open the app’s settings. You’ll see an option to select your preferred currency. Choose your local currency from the list.
2. Ensure accurate price comparisons – By setting the currency to your local one, you avoid confusion and fluctuations caused by exchange rates. This makes it easier to compare prices across different sellers and understand the true cost of items in your native currency.

ZiranZi encourages setting your currency preferences from the start, as it helps prevent surprises during checkout and ensures you’re always shopping within your budget. With these simple location and currency adjustments, you can shop more efficiently and securely on AliExpress.

Sources

For additional information and resources on how to improve your search experience on AliExpress, check out the following helpful links:

• AliExpress Help Center: How to Search on AliExpress
• Reddit: Any Tips for Using AliExpress Search?
• Reddit: Hints on Better Search Results
• Quora: Is There Any App or Tool to Help Search AliExpress Better?
• AMZScout: How to Find the Best Sellers on AliExpress