If you’re using a translation proxy like Clonable or Weglot, you’ve probably encountered the search problem. This technical guide explains how pre-translated search indexes solve it.

The Problem Explained

Translation proxies work by intercepting HTTP responses and translating content on-the-fly. This means:

• Your WordPress database: English only
• What visitors see: Translated content
• What WordPress searches: English database

When a German visitor searches for “granit”, WordPress looks for “granit” in an English database. No match.

Solution: Pre-translated Index

A pre-translated search index contains your content already translated into each target language. Instead of translating queries in real-time, we translate content in advance.

How It Works

1. Generate XML Index – Extract titles, excerpts, and content from WordPress
2. Translate Index – Use translation API (DeepL, Google, etc.) to translate
3. Store Translations – Save translated indexes as XML files
4. Search Translated Index – When visitor searches, query the appropriate language file

Technical Implementation

XML Index Structure

<search-index lang="de">
  <item id="123">
    <title>Marmorfliesen für Ihr Zuhause</title>
    <excerpt>Entdecken Sie unsere Kollektion...</excerpt>
    <url>/de/marble-tiles-for-home/</url>
  </item>
</search-index>

Search Flow

1. Detect visitor’s language from URL (/de/, /fr/, etc.)
2. Load corresponding XML index
3. Perform text search in native language
4. Return matching results with correct URLs

Advantages Over Translate-Back

• Speed – No real-time API calls needed
• Accuracy – Translations reviewed and cached
• Glossary support – Custom terminology preserved
• AJAX compatible – Works with live search
• Autocomplete – Instant suggestions as you type

Jokerist Search Implementation

Jokerist Search implements this exact approach:

• One-click XML generation from WordPress content
• Multiple translation providers – DeepL, Google, Microsoft, LibreTranslate
• Glossary system – Define industry-specific translations
• Auto-sync – New posts automatically indexed
• AJAX live search – Instant results

Download free from WordPress.org