The default WordPress search form used to ship with markup that ignored the semantic tags HTML5 gave us. The input was not typed as a search field, and the form lacked the roles that help browsers and screen readers understand what it is. I wrote this to swap in a cleaner form without asking you to edit a single theme file.
What you get
- Overrides get_search_form() with HTML5-semantic markup
- Uses the correct search input type and the right ARIA roles
- Works as a drop-in. If your theme calls the standard search form function, this replaces what comes out.
Who it’s for
Anyone on an older theme whose search form still uses the dated markup. WordPress core has improved its own search form since I wrote this, so a modern, well-built theme may already give you everything here. The plugin earns its place when your theme’s form is missing the semantic attributes and you do not want to fork the theme to fix it.
How to install
- Download the ZIP from GitHub.
- Go to Plugins, then Add New, then Upload Plugin.
- Choose the ZIP and click Install Now.
- Activate. Your existing search form is replaced automatically.
Status note
This is an archived plugin. Originally published on WordPress.org, now maintained on GitHub (opens in new tab) and reviewed for security. Still works on current WordPress. No new features planned.
File details
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
Tested with: WordPress 6.7 · PHP 8.1+
Format: .zip
Other downloads from this practice
- Get Better Excerpt. Another drop-in fix for a small core annoyance.
- WordPress.com Stats Smiley Remover. Quiet footer cleanup.