Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Catalog Search, the Catalog API, and how to use this tool.
Is this tool free?
Yes, Catalog Search is completely free to use. It's an open tool built by The Pages Media for the Shopify developer community. There are no usage limits for exploring the interface, though the underlying Catalog API has its own rate limits for high-volume programmatic access.
What data does the Catalog API return?
The Catalog API returns product data including titles, descriptions, images, variants, and pricing. Each variant includes shop information (store name and ID) for attribution. The API does not return customer data, order history, or inventory levels beyond basic availability status.
How is this different from Shopify Admin search?
The Shopify Admin search lets you search within your own store's products. Catalog Search queries across all Shopify merchants who participate in the Universal Commerce Protocol. It's designed for product discovery across stores, not managing your own inventory.
Why do some searches return unexpected results?
The Catalog API uses semantic search, which matches intent rather than exact keywords. This means a search for "warm winter jacket" might return insulated coats even if those words aren't in the title. Results also depend on which merchants participate in UCP and how well their product data is structured.
Can I use this for my own integration?
The curl commands and JSON responses shown in the developer preview panel can help you build your own integrations. However, production applications should reference the official Shopify Catalog API documentation for authentication requirements and best practices.
Why don't I see products from a specific store?
All Shopify merchants are included in the Universal Commerce Protocol by default. If a store's products don't appear, they may have opted out of UCP, or their products may not match your search query.
Can I purchase products directly through this tool?
No. Catalog Search is for discovery only. When you find a product you want to buy, click through to the merchant's store to complete your purchase. The Catalog API is designed for product discovery, not checkout.
How often is product data updated?
Product data in the Catalog API stays synchronized with merchant catalogs. When merchants update prices, availability, or product details in Shopify, those changes are reflected in API responses. The data is not a stale snapshot.
What is Universal Commerce Protocol?
UCP is Shopify's infrastructure for enabling AI agents to interact with commerce. It provides standardized APIs for product discovery, understanding availability, and facilitating purchases. The Catalog API is the product search component of UCP.
Learn more →Who built this?
Catalog Search is built by The Pages Media, a Shopify-focused development agency. We created it as a free tool for developers exploring the Catalog API and UCP ecosystem.
Learn more →Have Another Question?
Check our documentation for technical details, or contact The Pages Media for other inquiries.