BrainySearch
The BrainySearch plugin allows you to perform advanced search queries on your WordPress site using the OpenAI API.
Consider an alternative
BrainySearch shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. Was last updated 4 years ago, and scores 21/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.1 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where BrainySearch stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| AI | >100 |
| openai | >100 |
| search | >100 |
| WordPress | >100 |
About BrainySearch
From the official readme · v1.0.0Description
This WordPress plugin indexes your blog posts using the embeddings feature of OpenAI, and uses this data to enrich the BrainySearch request. When a user searches for content using the [brainy_search] shortcode, the plugin returns the most relevant search results based on the content of the indexed blog posts, along with a temperature label (0-100) that indicates the “creativity” or “diversity” of the results.
The BrainySearch plugin can be used on any WordPress site where advanced search functionality is desired. Some potential use cases include:
- E-commerce sites looking to provide more accurate and relevant product search results to customers
- News or blog sites looking to provide more targeted search results based on article content
- Educational sites or online course providers looking to provide more effective search results for course content
- Knowledge base sites looking to improve the search experience for users trying to find specific information
- Expert systems or decision-making systems that require fast and accurate search functionality to deliver results to users
Installation
- Upload the
brainy-searchdirectory to the/wp-content/plugins/directory - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
- Go to the BrainySearch settings page and enter your API key
- Customize the search settings to your preference
- To use this plugin, simply install and activate it in your WordPress installation.
- The
/aisearchpage will be created automatically, and you can use the[brainy_search]shortcode to display the search form on the page.
Frequently asked questions
What is OpenAI?
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc.
How do I get an OpenAI API key?
To use this plugin, you’ll need to sign up for an OpenAI API key. You can do so by visiting the OpenAI website, creating an account, and generating an API key.
Can I customize the appearance of the search form and search results?
Yes, the BrainySearch plugin provides template files for customization of search results display. You can copy the appropriate template file to your theme’s directory and modify it as needed.
When my content appears in search results?
BrainySearch indexes your content such as blog posts after publishing, but it needs to wait a minute while your content appear in AI Search. It happens because BrainySearch use cron in background. Normally it happens once per minute but you must be sure that your cron is working.
Changelog
Initial release. No upgrade necessary.
1.0.0
- Initial release
1.0.1
- CI/CD from Github
Screenshots
For developers
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Best BrainySearch alternatives
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FAQ
BrainySearch: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 13, 2026
Is BrainySearch free?
Yes. BrainySearch is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is BrainySearch safe to use in 2026?
BrainySearch shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. Was last updated 4 years ago, and scores 21/100 on our health check.
How many websites use BrainySearch?
BrainySearch is active on <10 WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,452 times since it launched in March 2023. It was downloaded 151 times in the last 30 days.
Does BrainySearch work with WordPress 7.1?
BrainySearch is officially tested up to WordPress 6.1.15, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does BrainySearch need?
BrainySearch requires PHP 7.0 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was BrainySearch last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.0, was released on March 22, 2023 (4 years ago).
Who makes BrainySearch?
BrainySearch is developed and maintained by Procoders.
What are the best alternatives to BrainySearch?
The most popular alternatives to BrainySearch are Elementor Website Builder (10M+ installs), All in One SEO (2M+ installs) and AI Agent by SiteGround (1M+ installs).
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