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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo restrict the normal WordPress search page to selected content types, use the pre_get_posts hook and set the main search query’s post_type to the allowed post-type slugs. For a separate search loop, pass those slugs to a new WP_Query. Use exclude_from_search instead when a type should be omitted from ordinary front-end search site-wide.
Filter the main front-end search query
Add this code to a site-specific plugin or a child theme’s functions.php file. Replace book with the slug of your registered custom post type, or remove it if you want to search only posts and pages.
function mysite_limit_search_post_types( $query ) {
if ( ! is_admin() && $query->is_main_query() && $query->is_search() ) {
$query->set( 'post_type', array( 'post', 'page', 'book' ) );
}
}
add_action( 'pre_get_posts', 'mysite_limit_search_post_types' );pre_get_posts runs after WordPress creates a query and before it executes, so the callback can adjust the query in time. The guards ensure the change applies to the main search query on the front end, rather than affecting dashboard or secondary queries. See the WordPress pre_get_posts reference for the hook and its search-exclusion example.
Choose the allowed types
Use registered post-type slugs—not the labels visitors see in the dashboard. The array above allows standard posts, pages and the custom type whose slug is book. To search only posts and pages, use array( 'post', 'page' ). To allow one type, set post_type to its slug as a string. The WP_Query reference documents post_type as accepting a string or array.
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This code replaces the type selection for the matching main query. If another part of your site has already selected types and you need to preserve them, read the current post_type query variable and merge intentionally rather than overwriting it. Confirm the custom type is registered before using its slug.
Use WP_Query for a separate search loop
If you are building a search component or custom results loop rather than changing the site’s main search page, create a separate query and specify both the search term and allowed types:
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$search = new WP_Query(
array(
's' => get_search_query(),
'post_type' => array( 'post', 'page', 'book' ),
)
);Here, s supplies the keyword and post_type limits the results. Run this query alongside your own loop; it does not change the main search query. The WP_Query reference includes examples of searching one or multiple post types.
Choose between a per-query filter and site-wide exclusion
| Approach | Best for | Effect |
|---|---|---|
pre_get_posts |
A contextual rule for the main front-end search | Sets the allowed types for queries that match your callback’s conditions. |
Separate WP_Query |
A custom search form or independent results loop | Limits only the query you create. |
exclude_from_search |
A post type that should stay out of ordinary front-end search throughout the site | Sets search eligibility as part of the post type’s registration. |
For a site-wide exclusion, set the custom post type’s exclude_from_search registration argument appropriately. WordPress documents that this flag controls front-end search exclusion. The any value for post_type also excludes types registered with exclude_from_search set to true; it is not a way to include every registered type. Check the WP_Query documentation and the register_post_type reference when configuring the type.
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Keep custom post types maintainable
WordPress recommends registering custom post types in a plugin or must-use plugin rather than a theme. That keeps the content type available if you change themes. Put the search-filter callback in a site-specific plugin or child theme as appropriate for your setup, and make sure its registration and search rules are maintained together. The Plugin Handbook’s custom post types guide covers registration and querying; its Plugin Handbook also describes altering the main query with pre_get_posts.
Check WordPress version before changing searched fields
If you also need to control which fields WordPress searches, the current WP_Query reference documents the search_columns parameter for WordPress 6.2 and later. Verify the installed WordPress version before relying on it; limiting post types and limiting searchable fields are separate settings.
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