The Need for Third-Party Search Solutions in the Wake of Adobe Commerce Cloud (Magento) 2.4.4 Updates

When eCommerce platforms change their licensing agreements, third-party site search solutions can safeguard both site functionality and the customer experience.

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As of July 10^th, Adobe Commerce’s cloud infrastructure 2.4.4. version, also known as Magento, can no longer support Elasticsearch.  

The Magento 2.4 version had originally integrated Elasticsearch after transitioning away from MySQL and its antiquated search method.  Switching search methods was beneficial to Magento users; however, it wasn’t long before Elasticsearch changed its licensing agreement, effectively stopping Adobe’s ability to use it on their Commerce Cloud. As a result, Elastic announced it can no longer offer managed search services to its clients.

Magento users who are looking to upgrade their subscription to the newest 2.4.4 version need to understand how this change will affect their sites. Instead of using the familiar Elasticsearch, users will have to switch to OpenSearch, or integrate a third-party search solution as an alternative. HawkSearch is an advanced, AI-powered onsite search solution that can be integrated as a third-party alternative to both Elasticsearch and Opensearch.  

Third-party extensions are available to eCommerce merchants within the Commerce Marketplace.

There are dozens of reasons why an eCommerce merchant should consider using a third-party search solution. The relevant search functionality, along with autocompleted product recommendations, help hasten revenue growth and create a positive, personalized experience for the online buyer.  

Choosing to implement HawkSearch allows eCommerce Merchants to effectively:

• Better the customer journey
• Increase conversion
• Heighten the average order value for each customer
• Boost product awareness
• Direct more organic traffic
• Accelerate search page loading speed

It is important to note that Elasticsearch is still available to Magento CE open-source users and to people using Adobe Commerce on-premises as opposed to remotely. However long these users can still use Elasticsearch is up to whatever policy changes Elasticsearch makes in the future.    

It may make sense to switch to a third-party search solution soon rather than later, so as not to be at the mercy of some random platform policy change outside of our control. Onsite search is mission-critical to any eCommerce operation, to increase revenue and better the customer experience. The advantages these solutions can offer by directly connecting to the Magento platform are something every Magento user should at least consider, depending on how important they consider product discovery is to their business.  

Magento users who are looking for more technical information can use the official release notes of Magento 2.4.4 to find out more.  

Opensearch is an adaptable fork to Elasticsearch and is supported in Adobe’s 2.4.4 version.